Western Saharan cuisine

Last updated
Location of Western Sahara LocationWesternSahara.svg
Location of Western Sahara
Saharawi cuisine Kaja1.jpg
Saharawi cuisine
Saharawi bread Pan Saharaui.jpg
Saharawi bread

Western Saharan cuisine comprises the cuisine of Western Sahara, a disputed territory in the Maghreb region of North Africa, bordered by Morocco to the north, Algeria to the extreme northeast, Mauritania to the east and south, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. The Western Saharan cuisine has several influences, as the population of that area (Sahrawi), in their most part are of Arabic and Berber origin. The Saharawi cuisine is also influenced by Spanish cuisine owing to Spanish colonization.

Contents

Food is primarily imported into Western Sahara, as minimal rainfall in the territory inhibits agricultural production. [1] Indigenous sources of food include those derived from fishing and nomadic pastoralism. [1] The labor and business in these indigenous provisions of foods are also a primary contributor of income for the territory's population, and are among the primary contributors to the economy of Western Sahara. [1]

A major staple food is the couscous that often accompanies one way or another all the food dishes. The influence of southern cuisine makes peanuts an accompaniment of some dishes.

For meat, the Sahrawis favor camel and goat; lamb is also prominent. Some tribes are famous for growing wheat, barley and cereals in general.

Some fruits and vegetables are grown in oases that are scattered within the territory.[ citation needed ]

Common foods and dishes

Being almost entirely nomadic, Saharan tribes based their diet on meat, milk and dairy derivatives. Coastal tribes added fish dishes and rice.

Beverages

Saharawi tea Te Saharaui.JPG
Saharawi tea

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 The World Factbook 2008
  2. 1 2 International Mission Board: News & Information
  3. Endgame in the Western Sahara: What Future for Africa's Last Colony? - Toby Shelley. pp. 82-83.
  4. Camel Meat and Meat Products
  5. 1 2 The 37-year-old refugee situation you know nothing about | PBS NewsHour
  6. Western Sahara: Anatomy of a Stalemate - Erik Jensen. p. 23.
  7. 1 2 "Western Sahara". Foodspring.
  8. The next thing: camel milk
  9. The Western Sahara and the Frontiers of Morocco - Robert Rézette. pp. 25-33.

Further reading