Topic > The Delicacy of Ghana Fufu as a Representation of African Culture

Aside from geographical location, much of the distinction between countries around the world comes through 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 something highly relative. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Something as simple as a hand gesture in one culture can mean something completely different in another, for example something as simple as giving someone a thumbs up, although widely recognized around the world as a form of approval or agreement, in some Middle Eastern countries is however considered a sign of great disrespect. This is also similar when considering the “OK” sign (pressing the index finger and thumb together). The best-known example that comes to mind is Richard Nixon's visit to Brazil in the 1950s. Upon his arrival in Rio de Janeiro he flashed the "Ok sign" to the waiting crowd, who immediately responded with unpleasant boos. We also note that some types of clothing differ significantly between cultures as well. Another significant cultural aspect that must be considered is food. When traveling, experiencing the food of another culture can be one of the best parts of the trip. Not only do you learn a lot about a culture through culinary etiquette, but eating itself is quite an enjoyable experience. In my experiment I will deliberately examine the Ghanaian delicacy known as “FUFU”. I chose this specific delicacy because it has a sentimental connection to my childhood. While I was growing up I spent most of my days at my grandmother's house and since she was of Ghanaian origin, she always indulged me in African food. Food that she herself grew up eating. And even though some of his dishes were a little hard to chew, I always found myself staring at the bottom of a plate of his famous FUFU. After her death, 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 taste buds in the same way as mine. Fufu or Foofoo is a well-known dish in Central and West African countries. This African delicacy is made from starchy ingredients such as sweet potatoes, 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 stewed meat, chicken, fish and vegetables or dipped in sauces. And although fufu is eaten throughout the African continent, it originated in Ghana. Once you're done cooking it, the real trick becomes eating it. Before doing so, it is important to recognize that in African countries like Ghana, using your left hand to eat is highly disrespectful. The left hand has the function of cleaning oneself (for example when using the bathroom), while the right hand is used for eating and for human contact. Furthermore, while Western culinary etiquette revolves around the use of silverware, fufu, like much of Ghanaian cuisine, is eaten with the hands (particularly the right hand). Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Before you dine, two bowls of water are placed on the table in front of you. One bowl is used for washing hands before dining and the other comes.