Where are our Jollof lovers at? According to UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization), Senegal has been named as the “true home of Jollof Rice,” over Ghana and Nigeria.
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Jollof Wars: Senegal Is Named The ‘True Home Of Jollof Rice’ Over Ghana & Nigeria
UNESCO says Senegal’s version of Jollof Rice, also known as Ceebu jën, is an intangible heritage of humanity.
UNESCO has settled a long-standing debate between West African nations, Ghana, Nigeria and Senegal, as they have officially recognized the latter nation as the origin of Jollof rice.
The dish is a well-known staple in West African cuisine overall, and it is made of rice, fish, and vegetables.
According to research conducted by ‘The Conversation Africa,’ the origins of the dish can be traced back to the entrenchment of colonial rule in West Africa — specifically in the years between 1860 and 1940.
During this period, the French who colonized the region had replaced existing food crops with broken rice imported from Indochina.
And as the years passed, broken rice would became more coveted by the Senegalese than whole grain rice. Eventually, the dish known as Ceebu jën was created and became a source of pride and cultural identity for the Senegalese.
Additionally, it is said that Ceebu jën, the culinary art of Senegal, sometimes includes tomatoes in addition to the aforementioned ingredients above — unlike the different versions of the dishes native to Ghana and Nigeria.
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