Mina míaɖu nu ɖekae! That means “let’s eat together” in Ewe, and it’s a common expression people say before sharing a meal, kind of like “bon appétit”.
Food is very communal here, and it is considered rude to turn down an invitation to eat with someone. Food is also not taken for granted, people do not waste even a single crumb, because many people grow their own food in Togo. My community shows a lot of respect and care when preparing meals, and this has helped me appreciate where our food comes from and how valuable food really is.
Fufu (a dough like ball made from various vegetables) is a staple food here in West Africa (and it’s also fun to say). It is usually served with meat and a sauce. The sauces can be different kinds, from peanut butter sauce (one of my favorites) to okra-based sauces and simple broths. If we don’t have fufu, we eat akple, which is a soft paste made from corn or sorghum flour and is also served with meat and sauce.
Oh, did I mention? In West Africa, we don’t use forks or knives; everything is eaten with our hands. We also don’t eat from our own plates. Instead, we share a large bowl placed in the middle of a circle where everyone sits.
