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  • Essay / Ghanaian Delicate Fufu as a Representation of African Culture

    Aside from geographical locations, much of the distinction between the countries of the world lies in their different cultures and traditions. In the dictionary, culture is described as a set of ideas, customs and social behaviors of a particular people or society. An important aspect of understanding or adapting to different cultures is understanding that culture is a very relative thing. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”? Get an original essay Something as simple as a hand gesture in one culture can mean something completely different in another, e.g. example something as simple as giving someone a helping hand. , although widely recognized around the world as a form of approval or agreement, in some Middle Eastern countries, however, it is considered a sign of great disrespect. This is similar when we also consider the “OK” sign (pressing the index finger and thumb together). The most famous example that comes to mind is Richard Nixon's visit to Brazil in the 1950s. Upon his arrival in Rio de Janeiro, he waved "Okay" to a waiting crowd, who immediately responded with unpleasant boos. We also notice that some clothing differs significantly between cultures. Another important cultural aspect to consider is food. When you travel, experiencing the food of another culture can be one of the best parts of traveling. Not only do you learn a lot about a culture through its dining etiquette, but eating in itself is also a very enjoyable experience. In my experiment, I will deliberately examine the Ghanaian delicacy known as “FUFU”. I chose this specific treat because it has a sentimental connection to my childhood. Growing up, I spent most of my days at my grandmother's house, and being of Ghanaian descent, she would always treat me to African food. Food she herself ate growing up. And even though some of his concoctions were a little difficult to swallow, I always found myself staring at the bottom of a plate of his famous FUFU. After her passing, FUFU was one of the few things that connected me to her and my memorable childhood. So I decided to share more about this delicious Ghanaian dish, hoping that it stimulates both your mind and your taste buds the same way it does mine. Fufu or Foofoo is a well-known dish in West and Central African countries. This African delicacy is made from starchy ingredients like yam, cassava or plantains that are left to boil then pounded and finally rounded into balls. Pounding them can be quite laborious and is usually done with a mortar and pestle. Fufu can be eaten with meat, chicken, fish and vegetable stews or dipped in sauces. And even though fufu is consumed throughout the African continent, it originates from Ghana. Once you're done cooking it, the real trick is eating it. Before doing so, it is important to recognize that in African countries like Ghana, using the left hand to eat is a very disrespectful gesture. Your left hand is used for cleaning yourself (i.e. when using the toilet) while the right hand is used for eating and for human contact. Additionally, while Western dining etiquette revolves around the use of silverware, fufu, like much of the cuisine in Ghana, is eaten with the hands (especially the right one)..