DISHES IN THE GAMBIA

By Agie Kumba Bah

 The Gambia a small country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Senegal on three sides and has a coastline along the Atlantic Ocean to the west. The Gambia is known for its rich cultural heritage, diverse ecosystems, and vibrant history, being the smallest country on the African mainland. The River Gambia runs through the country, providing fertile land and serving as a crucial resource for agriculture and fishing.

Diving deep into the Gambian cuisine a reflection of the country's diverse ethnic groups, including the Mandinka, Wolof, Jola, Fula, and Serahule, each contributing unique flavours and dishes. The food is characterized by its use of local ingredients such as rice, millet, cassava, and a variety of vegetables and spices. 

Here are some of the ethnic groups and there tradition foods

DOMODA: Also too known as ‘DURANGHO’ is a groundnut stew made with groundnut paste typically served with rice, combined with meat or fish and flavoured with tomato paste and spices to give it that nice taste. This is the traditional food associated with the Mandinka’s.

FUTTI: A typical Fula traditional food which is made with okra, locus beans, spices and bisap served with rice and red palm oil which is usually poured around the rice. It’s a food which is adored by so many people apart from the Fulas.

BENACHINE: Also, too known as Thieboudienne in Wollof, is a flavoured rice made up of meat or fish with vegetables and sometimes with tomato paste. It’s considered as a national dish because of its popularity and taste. It’s associated with the Wollofs in the Gambia and Senegal. Benachine is that food that’s available in all ceremonies in the Gambia.

PEMPEM: It’s a traditional Jola food made with small baby fish which is locally called ‘WASS’, bisap, lemon and lots of spices served with plain rice. People in the Gambia usually referred to it as an appetizer.

FUFU: A typical famous Aku food made with pounded yam and served with soup made up of with okra, meat or chicken. Gambians really loves this food.

Apart from this traditional Gambian food of the ethnic groups, we have some famous and nice Gambian street foods which Gambians adored and love a lot. Some of them are,

EBBEH: A famous Gambian street food which is made with cassava, Smook fish, cat fish, seafood and red palm oil with species too. It’s also too served at parties, naming ceremonies and weddings, it’s that one food that’s available at every street corner in the Gambia. Ebbeh is that food Gambians crave and demand for both the old and young.

YASSA: Also, too a typical Gambian street food which is made with grill fish called ‘KOBO’ locally, combined with sliced raw onions mixed with mustard and spices. Its sell at every street corner of the Gambia at evening, Gambians enjoy eating Yassa.

So tell me, which of these amazing Gambian dishes would you dare to prepare?

Click to learn to prepare benachin

Click to learn how to prepare ebeh