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23 Dec

Which West African Cousin Is Responsible For The Jollof

Which West African Cousin Is Responsible For The Jollof

Google

It’s at all times a treat to see Google update their homepage that has served because the Web’s premiere search engine for twenty-four years. From holidays to historical figures, the update is certain to coach audiences. But when the Google Doodle nods to Blackness, it is especially special.

On Nov. 4, the Google Doodle is devoted to jollof rice, probably the most iconic foods of West Africa.

Jollof is an alternate spelling of “Wolof”—named from its origins within the Wolof Empire—which encompassed parts of what’s now referred to as Gambia, Mauritania, and Senegal.

The dish is a mix of long-grained rice with simmered tomatoes, onions, peppers and regional spices. Often served with fish, as a night meal, although it may even be enjoyed at other times of the day, but with fish substituted by chicken, beef or goat. 

Each nation has its own variant of the one-pot dish. And every country swears their version is superior. Seriously, have you ever ever heard a Ghanaian describe Nigerian jollof? The rivalry between the 2 fuels the Jollof Wars.

Google might need picked a side after they tapped Haneefah Adam to create the stop-motion animation, which shows the straightforward preparation that goes into creating the dish. Adam, 31, is a Nigerian visual artist who is understood for centering food in her art and designs. 

Article continues after video.

The hijabi hailing from the UK gained prominence in 2015 when she modified the beloved icon, Barbie, into Hijarbie, a Barbie doll adorned in a hijab. Adam told OkayPlayer, “I wanted to offer a positive narrative for the Muslim girl and supply inspiration, as there may be a whole lot of that within the Muslim world.”

In a press release to 9to5Google, Adam said, “It is a celebration of culture—not only my culture, but of everyone who recognizes food as a conduit. The variety of how we approach food is de facto interesting—like how the preparation of Jollof is different in Nigeria vs. Senegal (they even have different names). This just goes to indicate the richness and great thing about our collective culture as a continent.”

Friday’s Google Doodle is certain to go away your mouth watering. Before you try to make it on your individual, and even try the fast Trader Joe’s version, please seek the closest West African restaurant and ask an auntie.

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