The Sandmann's Journal

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WEST AFRICAN CUISINE II

Published on November 15, 2017

There is a limitless collection of traditional dishes in West Africa. The tropical rain forested quarter is a cultural hotbed, where you will find at least 18 countries. Each one of them has at least ten different ethnic groups. Everyone has its language, religion, culture, music, tradition, dress code, history, and yes, cuisine. West Africa is currently suffering from tottering genealogies, systemic corruption, and westernization. Much of the unwritten history has perished with ancestors who died while living outside of the region.

BANGA SOUP

One of the several traditional natural fruits that play a significant role in West African cuisine is a fruit that comes from the palm tree. Nigerians, as well as Sierra Leoneans, call it the Banga or Palm Nut. You can also get palm oil from this fruit. This palm oil is a crucial ingredient in many West African meals. The palm tree also produces an intoxicating sap, which many local West Africans tap and drink like beer. The sauce from simmered palm nuts thickens into an oil-based soup, which some historians believe was introduced in the Delta region, by the Urhobo ethnic group of Nigeria.

Since many tribal people populated West Africa by migrating and intermarrying throughout the area, the palm tree and its Banga or Palm Nut Soup became a tasty treat in various countries across the region. It is similar to the Peanut Stew, which I recommended in part one of this blog. Here the cook boils the palm nut until it softens. The cook strips the softened kernel from its shell, grinds, and strains it with water. The chef then brings the creamy residue to boil with pepper, onions and, vegetable plus tribal specific seasoning. A collection of meats (beef, chicken, or lamb) or fish often graces the dish.

BANKU & TILAPIA

There are many North Americans who consider tilapia an unnatural fish. They recognize that agriculturists have bred the species under humanmade conditions. As a result, only a few people opt for tilapia in North America. Despite that, since moving to Europe, the tilapia seems to surface in every fish pot. So, for my North American first-timers who would like to venture with this feast, I’d propose swapping your tilapia with a salmon. I‘d go with the barracuda. Snapper and Grouper fish are also great substitutes.

Some Ghanaian dishes come with a deliciously peppered collection of fish, chicken, and beef all in one soup, or stew. Many of their locals savor the combined delicacies such as beef tripe, cow foot, and other unusual parts of the animal which may surface in the soup or stew. Usually, the more treats the, better. I know many of my western friends are probably thinking, ew, but trust me when I tell you, your expression should be yum! Ghanaians prepare a mouthwatering assortment of dishes in their cuisine.

Their dinner plates come with a dynamic variety of textures and flavors. This celebrated culture has also mastered the art of fermented cassava, potato, yam, and other roots that they mash. A large piece of fish is bathed in traditional seasonings and grilled. Performing as the source of carbohydrates is something called the Banku, which you can supplement with the crispy and juicy grilled tilapia or salmon. Mostly from the south of Ghana, the Banku is mashed corn plus cassava that is fermented. Ghanaians serve this with a sauce made from hot pepper, crushed tomatoes, and sliced onions.

CACHUPA

Islands like Mao, Brava, Santa Cruise, or Las Palmas are among a cluster of beautiful West African sanctuaries that the Portuguese enslaved and colonized. Being closer to mainland Senegal and Morocco, where many tribal people integrated, you will find that the Mende, Mandingo, and the Portuguese have a considerable influence on Cape Verdi cuisine. Also, expect to see some differences between the island and mainland cuisine.

That means Cape Verdi islanders go for usual West African assortments like rice, yam, cassava, potato, etc. The people hone their staple mainly from corn and beans. Of course, they delve into the same range of meats as other West Africans. Being an island, you should expect to see some specific foods made from tuna, lobster, shrimp, chicken, and beef. When the waiter serves that dinner, you will savor over a Cape Verdi plate. 

Never turn down Cape Verdean grilled fish, chicken, or eggs with sliced and roasted tomatoes. I often crave their distinctive flavored and baked shrimp, crab, or oysters – most kinds of seafood will do the trick. Still, our dish of choice (in this blog) comes with corn, cassava, sweet potato, and beans that are seasoned Portuguese style and slow-cooked with any fish or meat ranging from tuna and barracuda to beef, goat, lamb or chicken.

NDOLE

One can learn a lot about a society or a region through the unfolding of their cultural dishes. Centuries before Europe commanded the world in mathematics, science, or literature, and one had to prattle across the Sahara to gain such wisdom at the old institutions and megaversities of Timbuktu, Mali. If you sketched the migration route of the leading historical societies, you would discern that many started from Sudan. This evidence also shows that some of them had migrated along the coast of West Africa. 

Is this why the Cameroonian Ndole’ is similar to the Egusi Soup in Nigeria or the Sakpa in Sierra Leone? If a food historian didn’t go to Mali, he or she made sure to visit Egypt or Ethiopia. Grievously, ancient high and wealthy empires of Western Africa saw a constant orchestration of moral conflicts. Every rising empire from the Middle East to Europe became frantic for the knowledge and wealth in Africa. And the diverse regions of Africa, namely the North and the East, held off the invaders for centuries.

When Egypt fell, so did the empires south and south-west of the continent, eventually giving rise to vast Islamic empires in North Africa. The invaders stole the archives of scientific, mathematical, and literacy, as antiquity endured in the traditional cuisine. Ndole’ stands as Cameroon’s classic dish. This meal, which other regions called Bitter Leaf, comes with stewed ground nuts. You cook it with traditionally seasoned fish or beef. Ghanaian dishes are melting pots of assorted fish, meats, and other seafood or delicacies.

You may be delighted to discover the same in Cameroon. The delicious stew of meats, fish, seafood, and bitter leaves also comes with steamed or fried plantain. There is a fermented mash of cassava and manioc called Bobolo. This meal has a similar appearance, taste, and texture as the Egusi in Nigeria and the Sakpa in Sierra Leone. Traditional seasoning is crucial to West African cuisine. It is a way to tell the difference between a dish prepared in Benin for example or a comparable meal developed by a similar people in Burkina Faso.*

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SHOULD MEN HOLD

OTHER MEN ACCOUNTABLE

Published on December 11, 2017

What was the first thing that came to my mind when I saw Terry Crews in the Time magazine article, Men Need to Hold Other Men Accountable? I noticed that the MeToo movement is opposed to how men ask women out. The mainstream media are striking men’s ruthless methods of initiating sexual contact as a charge of sexual misconduct. Then I wondered why the editors at Time magazine had the mind to publish that article?

It is one that asks men to hold other men accountable for their fleshly wrongdoing. Why did Time not have the same presence of reason to issue a similar report requesting the police to be responsible? It is clear that I categorically see the plan. The media do not care about doing the right thing; it enhances the idea it is there to promote. Nonetheless, you should not read without knowing, Terry Crews is one of my favorite actors right now.

Still, I came up with a list of ways today’s men should hold their fellow men accountable. Especially when approaching women for sex, dates, or romance in the wrong direction. All police officers should hold murdofficers responsible when they commit murder. Men should keep other men answerable for being simps. Sexual harassment as simping. That is because when one man makes a blunder, society holds all of us accountable.

THE MANGINA MOVE

You’re steadily sleeping with someone’s daughter, but you haven’t asked her to be your girlfriend? You do not want any other guy to wife her, but you are wasting her time? Mangina move! Is the girl taking care of you like she’s your mama? Are you not putting a ring on it? Mangina! Do you argue all the time? You go around pounding EVERYthing that spreads it, busting nuts? Man to the gina ya’ll! Okay, I’ll give you that one hot woman who makes your head spin, or you were out of town and caught something on the side.

The habitual porn addicted Raw Dawg Charlie, though? Son, if you’ve been smashing your untitled lady back and front for months and months, but every time she asks about your future together, you have a deflection Mangina! All you want is a bad bitch? Mangina! Common, man, I get it, we’re men, we want to smash a new oracle from every corner of the empire, but you’re making us all look bad when you don’t show proper judgment.

BEGGING WOMEN ON SOCIAL MEDIA TO SEND NUDES

Some of us have female friends who are models, and they may do a sic photoshoot, we might like the photos and ask them to send some. Or you may enjoy being turned on by some sexy pictures from a grown woman who you’re already involved with romantically — no shame in that. There is a vast difference between asking a woman you are romantically involved with to send you some sexy photos and asking a woman you’ve just met so she can bless you with her nude pictures. The unsolicited dick pic? Dead it!!!

She’s not going to see how big your penis is and automatically decide to sleep with you. She adds you on WhatsApp or Snap Chat, and within days you want her to spread eagle, nude, and send you her nip or puss pic? Come on, man — you’re reaching. When you do shit like that, you make every girl think all men are like that. Now a guy can’t even say the words send me a photo, and a girl automatically assumes he wants to Mia Khalifa her. All because airheads had asked for nudes when they had no business seeing her butt naked.

PROTECTING WOMEN WHO

TREAT OTHER MEN WITH CONTEMPT

You have seen shorty play a cat. Has this woman fucked up that man’s life, took his shit, lied to him, broken his heart, or even used him for a fool? What the hell are you doing up there patronizing that user? Do you think if she saw you do what she did to the last cat to a female, she will be on your side? Your mother will rat you out if you’re playing a woman. Your sister or even your girl will ride with the chick if they know you’re bogging.

Why? Because they rock with a code. And your dumb ass is out here drooling over cleavage and makeup, selling out the next man to patronize someone even when you’ve seen that they are an ass? Guys like you make it easy for people to assume we’re all stupid. You are sending the message that she can disrespect your gender without any consequence. If that woman does not play you, she may try that same game on every man she meets.

LYING TO KICK IT

No one cares about your fancy clothes, jewelry, cars, money, etc. unless you’re about to give it to them. Quit trying to impress good women with material things. If you’re into that, then hey, go ahead, flash your thirst trap and get you some. More than likely, she’d lock you in baby jail or get you robbed or worse. Don’t be out here trying to use your money, power, or influence to bag the unsuspecting honey. When you do, she will realize it later and hate every other guy who has money, power, or control. You’re making us all look bad.

CHEATING ON A LOYAL WIFE OR GIRLFRIEND

You have a beautiful woman of your choosing, and she smashes whenever you want, she cooks your meals, cleans the house and takes care of you and the kids? She goes the extra mile without disrespecting your manhood. She’s not berating or rude. She is not the misandry type, not one to sleep around, and she’s got your back. You have a woman in your bed who is not a low-class cheater or a man-hating radical feminist.

Should you be running around cheating on this one? Get it, straight man. When you cheat on the loyal ones, you kill the hope that there are any good men out there. Cut her loose if she’s too good for you. Only cheat if you’re in a terrible relationship. She does not have sex with you, or maybe she tries to undermine your masculinity. I can see if she is a drama queen who is always ready for a pointless argument. Just dump her and move on.

BAD MOUTHING GOOD MEN

Stop lousy mouthing other men to women. If you want respect or the benefit of the doubt, then you need to give the same. You were not there, and you don’t know what happened. All you’re hearing is her side of the ordeal. If you want to get some, go ahead and get you some and then bounce. Don’t be in there talking shit about how you’re finna treat her like a queen, how you can do better than the next man, and how the next man is an idiot.

The girl ends up with a big head. You might get laid a few times, but eventually, she’ll toss you just like she did to the man who you were bad-mouthing. You should take offense when another man tarnishes your integrity. Give the benefit of the doubt. Consider that this could be you in another way. If she says she was raped or abused, call the cops immediately and report the crime as she told you. Show a little loyalty, please, and thank you?

SUPER ULTRA SIMPING ON DATING SITES

You guys know what I think about dating sites. I believe the arbitrators of the site actively prevent certain classes of people from associating. Many of those dating websites are run by the FEDs to keep tabs on people, and I think you have a good chance of wasting a lot of time and money there. Hence, you should use the site to your advantage. Spam the fuck out of that shit! Sell your invention there, use it to get yourself famous, but the last thing you should do is be on there looking for anything more than a one-night stand jackpot.

Tinder, Plenty of Fish, or whatever? Come on, man! Are you swiping right on everything? All you’re seeing are cute pictures. You don’t know if that’s EVEN a real person. Take it from a brother. Your heartfelt message will go unread or ignored. When that happens, you make us all look bad. If the woman is not respectful enough to write a decent profile where she says she’s looking for someone like you, skip her, cute pictures, and all man if you must holla, sell her something. Don’t be in her DM, lavishing her with unwanted compliments, offering exquisite experiences, or trying to get to know anything right off the rip.

A SUCKER FOR LOVE

Unless it’s a life-saving emergency, don’t be the first one to jump to redemption. Give it time. She might be alright without you. No, she’s not going to have sex with you because you fixed her stove. Yes, there is a scenario where you save the day, and the girl falls into your arms. But, in these ungrateful times, you’d have better luck finding a unicorn. If you want to help, then assist a struggling single mother out but leave her be.

Or a friend if she’s in need, but you should know what I mean when I say captain save