The Chadian staple food is millet, a grain that
can be eaten in a variety of ways. It may be used to make a paste that
is formed into balls and dipped into sauces. This is popular both in
the north, where it is called aiysh in Chadian Arabic, and in
the south, where it is known as biya. Millet is also made into
pancakes that are fried in oil. Sorghum, another type of grain, is
also an important staple. Rice is grown in some areas, but corn and
wheat are scarce. Beef, chicken and mutton are available in most parts
of the country, particularly in the north, where livestock herding is
common. Muslims do not eat pork, but pork is popular in N'Djamena and
in southern Chad. Fish abound in Chad's lakes and rivers. The most common fish is the Nile perch, called capitaine in Chad. Other fish include eel, tilapia and carp. Balbout (a mud-dwelling catfish) is caught at the beginning of the rainy season. Fish may be dried, salted or smoked before they are sold. Salanga (small dried or salted fish) and banda (larger smoked fish) are popular among Chadians and are exported to Cameroon and Nigeria. |
||||
Okra is very popular in Chad and is used as the base
of a sauce called gumbo. The leaves of the cassava plant are another
common vegetable. Many fruits grow in the south, such as mangoes, guavas
and bananas. In the arid north, dates and raisins, which grow in oases,
are used in many dishes. Peanuts are a popular snack and are eaten raw or roasted. Other snacks include corn (roasted or boiled) and fangasou (fried doughnuts made of millet or wheat flour). Fangasou are also popular for breakfast. In some places, skewered roasted meats in a hot, spicy sauce are sold on the streets, accompanied by French bread. Carcaje is a sweet drink made from hibiscus leaves. It is often sold in markets in small plastic bags. The evening meal is the most important meal of the day. It is served on a large plate set in the middle of a mat. People gather around the plate and seat themselves on the ground. Generally, men and women eat separately. |
| |||
|