Comments on: Stuff African People Like: Meat

By: Mwangi

Mwangi — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 22:58:22 +0000

@lovesculture: I have this running theory in my head that the reason that veganism and vegetarianism took off in such a big way in the West and is largely considered a joke elsewhere is two fold:
1) That folks in the West because of living in industrial societies lost touch with how food is produced (i.e. that an animal must be slaughtered to be eaten). Combine this with being sheltered from all forms of violence and the first time someone is aware or worse watches how an animal is slaughtered, its sure to be a huge shock to the system. Personally, the arguments for ethical treatment of animals, whereas I love them for their spirit,rarely strike a chord with me because I grew up slaughtering and so have an appreciation for the fact that that’s how carnivores and omnivores get their food the same way a vegetable farmer plucks fruits and extracts vegetables.
2) The pet culture and the exaltation of animals to equality with human beings.
These two things simply don’t exist in most countries and in Africa eating meat has so much history and positivity – a sign of wealth, taste, parties based around it-surrounding it that its understandable why the movement is taken seriously.

By: lovesculture

lovesculture — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 18:44:25 +0000

I have to wonder if there is any culture aside from Indian, that actually celebrate vegitarianism? As a person who was a vegitarian for over thirteen years, almost every person that I have come into contact from other cultures had looked at me like I was crazy for not eating meat (literally from China to Brazil).
I did find that during that time when I slipped up and ate meat two times, once prepared by a man from Cameroon and the other time a man from
Brazil; they were the most delicious tasting meals I had ever tasted with meat.
Although, I prefer not to eat meat at all, I have slipped up enough where I no longer call myself a vegitarian. However, I wonder if I am alone thinking that across the globe, if not eating meat seems taboo?

By: Mwangi

Mwangi — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 15:24:42 +0000

@liberiangirl: Lol! What are the chances of that?

By: liberiangirl

liberiangirl — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 15:16:15 +0000

You are right..I just had some fufu last night

By: Mwangi

Mwangi — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 15:08:02 +0000

@liberiangirl: That varies very much from region to region. I think it can’t exist without a starch. In East Africa it can be rice or chapati or ugali. In Southern Africa it can be sadza, in West Africa it can be the immortal fufu. I think the meat is typically consumed with some carbohydrate/starch.

By: liberiangirl

liberiangirl — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 14:56:27 +0000

You forgot to add RICE…A meal is not a true meal.. without rice for me.

By: Mwangi

Mwangi — Mon, 26 May 2008 13:53:47 +0000

I wish I knew how to type out the “thumbs up” sign but instead I will simply give you the smiley sign to say you’re welcome

By: Kelly

Kelly — Mon, 26 May 2008 13:51:41 +0000

Will do. Thanks Mwangi

By: Mwangi

Mwangi — Mon, 26 May 2008 13:49:30 +0000

@Kelly: There is the raw food lifestyle which is uber-healthy, but ironically, apparently half of folks who are raw foodists take hours to prepare their meals. Check out Steve Pavlina’s articles on his raw food trials for more information on how to up the health without cooking your food.

By: Kelly

Kelly — Mon, 26 May 2008 13:42:43 +0000

Thanks y’all for the resources. I wish I could eat healthy bila cooking but well…