Information:
 When
a typical Gambian family sits down to eat they do so
around a communal bowl
which has a mound of rice which might have a sauce on
top or mixed rice like Benachin (Jollof
Rice) with vegetables in the centre. It is then
placed on a mat (basang).
As an honoured guest you may sometimes be given your
own bowl or plate of food to eat depending on the circumstances.
Don't be surprised if you are visiting a family
and find them eating and be called over to join them
for a meal. This is normal food etiquette in Gambia.
The first rule about eating food round a communal bowl
is to first wash both your
hands then take
off your shoes before sitting down on the mat
. Indeed shoe removal should be done when entering any
family room or hallway. You may be offered a short stool
to sit on. In strict religiously families, particularly
up-country and with the Mandinka
tribe, women and and men eat separately while the kids
go to either bowl.
Do not start eating until you see your hosts begin eating
and they will usually say the Arabic word "Bismillah"
which is an idiom meaning "In the Name of Allah".
Only use your right-hand
for eating. If you do choose to eat
with a family in this way you shape the rice into an
almost egg-shape before eating it. You may be given
a spoon however, the above procedure should still be
followed. Keep your hands to your section of the bowl
i.e. the part directly in front of you which is about
10 - 15 cm wide. Don't be afraid to ask for a
spoon if you don't think you can handle it because as
a guest they are only too pleased to offer you a spoon.
However, at intervals you may go to the near centre
of the bowl to cut a piece of meat or vegetable to bring
back to your section and mix it with some rice before
putting it in your mouth. Do not eat any food directly
from the centre. Don't be surprised if people beat you
to it and cut it for you and put it in your section.
On a word of caution it is the height of bad manners
in Gambian society to smell food in front of others
before eating it. Furthermore even if you are not hungry
it is seen as rude to decline a meal so at least try
and take a couple of mouthfuls eating it slowly. However,
should you decide not to eat do not watch others eating;
you should move away somewhere else until the others
are ready with their meal.
When eating keep conversation down to the minimum but
do mention how delicious the meal is. Any food that
leaves the bowl and into your mouth or falls onto the
food mat should be left there. You can request for and
drink water while eating. Though it sounds odd to westerners
a quiet but audible belch after a meal is considered
polite as it shows you have enjoyed the food and have
eaten to your satisfaction.
If you have finished your meal you should get straight
up and go wash your hands and do not return to the communal
bowl for a chat. If you are an adult then you should
try by all means and get up before the children. Wash
your hands with soap and water. When all are finished
you may again compliment your hosts on how delicious
the meal was.
While in Gambia you will see some of the above rules
being broken but the washing and right-hand rules must
be adhered to. If you find yourself eating alone and
somebody you know approaches you it is good manners
to tell them "come and join me". Please note
that the above rules are for lunch and sometimes dinner.
Breakfast however, tends to be a sole activity normally
involving bread though do offer to share if you are
in the company of others.
The usual phrase people use when they are calling you
to lunch is "Ky Len Nu Ane" and for dinner
it is "Ky Len Nu Rerr". |
