Happy New Year!

Wishing you a happy and prosperous 2018!

Merry Christmas to you all!

I woke up this morning reminiscing how Christmas day was spent in my childhood. Christmas in Nigeria was all about reconnecting with family and eating good food. We often travelled to my ancestral hometown, which took about ten hours to get to from our base in Northern Nigeria. The hours that it took to get to my hometown varied and dependant on a number of factors from traffic to the road condition. It was a different atmosphere and way of life in my hometown. Almost everyone spoke Igbo and had some sort of idol from our ancestors in the compound. Even though many converted to Christianity, there were remnants of our ancestor's artefacts dotted about in our homes. I loved that side of the Igbo culture. The traditional mode of worship, the tales of the rainmakers, the masquerades and the spirit world. We were discouraged from knowing and understanding the ancient way of worship, the culture that celebrated that way of worship and made to see it as a fearful practice. Christianity in some way eroded our pride in our tradition. It told us that our practices were evil and there were repercussions for even asking about it. It was a huge shame when I heard that some of the edifices have been destroyed by Christian pastors because it was demonic.

I loved the journey to my ancestral hometown even though the journey was a long one. I looked forward to seeing my grandmother and cousins. Once we got there, my grandmother and cousins would be waiting for us with big hugs and cuddles. My grandmother always had Christmas presents for us. It was either handbags or pieces of jewellery to wear on Christmas day.

There was also the ritual of sharing meat and foodstuff to extended members of the family and community. During the early hours of the day, we would all wake up to start preparing food for the day and all the guests that would visit our house.You could smell the aroma of different dishes and the of burning wood. I love the smell of burning wood. My siblings and I always said that food cooked on wood tastes the best. My favourite meal on Christmas day was ofe akwu, soup made out of palm concentrate and eaten with rice. There was also lots of fried meat, pepper soup and spiced up offal. We would all eat with our relatives and then go out to visit all our extended relatives eating and having fun with them.

It was just a joyous and innocent time. You could enter the house of anyone in the tiny village and they would know who you are, feed and bless you.

It has been years since I visited my hometown. After the death of my dad, Christmas has never been the same. I miss all those times because it was Christmas with my dad. My dad made Christmas magical. He drove us to our ancestral hometown. He made us understand our culture and tradition, something I hope to pass down to my children. I don't know how things would be if I returned there, how people will react to me, would they remember me? Would they accept me? Would I fit in?

Pictures were taken at my ancestral hometown. This is my dad's house were I spent some of my most memorable Christmas growing up. Sorry the pictures are not too clear. But I am in all the pictures.

Me, at home

Me, relaxing 

Home sweet home. My dad is buried by the side. 

Me, dad and younger sis

Merry Christmas!

I can't believe how fast the year has gone by. I can't believe it is already Christmas again! Here is wishing you a very merry Christmas.

In this season, some will be experiencing sadness, loneliness and depression. It is sometimes difficult to snap out of that low point especially when everyone seem to be celebrating and you are not.

Everywhere is all so festive!

Today, most of the shops I entered were packed full of people. I did feel overwhelmed with the crowd. The rush to buy Christmas gifts is at times mind-boggling. The consumerism culture is well with us. The need to buy, buy and buy! 

 Beautiful, right?

Love this

I find this time of the year quite stressful. All I want to do is curl up in my onesie with a hot cup of coffee watching my favourite soap or something cheesy. I don't want to go out in the freezing cold, going from one shop to the other, looking for what to spend my hard earned money on!

My cloud bread!

I made some cloud bread yesterday evening. I must say, I am becoming more confident in making this bread. It is so easy to make and if you are living the Keto way of life, is a great snack or meal to chase those hunger pangs away.

I use 3 ingredients to make mine.
I use 3 eggs, 2-3 teaspoon of soft cheese, a teaspoon of baking powder.

Method
I separate the egg yolk from the white. I then add the teaspoon of baking powder to the white and whisk until it is stiff. I set aside. I then mix the egg yolk and soft cheese. Then I gently fold the two mixtures  together. I spoon the mixture on a parchment paper and bake for 15-20 minutes.

 Here is the finished product. Goes well with any cooked meat. I made bacon and sausage sandwich with the bread.

Good morning

Good morning everyone. Woke up to snow this morning!

Widow-cleansing

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I read the BBC report on the plight of women in western Kenya who are fighting back against "widow-cleansing", a traditional ritual that requires women to have sex - often with strangers - when their husbands die.

I think there is little awareness of what women go through in different African communities, especially after the death of their partners. Many of these women are suppressed and rarely speak out. I think the time has come for community reorientation about the harmfulness of these practices. Many women endure and go through harsh rituals immediately after the death of their husbands, a period that they should be left to mourn in peace. Some of these practices are often hidden behind patriarchy but covered as traditional practices. I have had the privilege of listening to some of these widows, who gave a harrowing account of what they have been through. They get accused of killing their husbands and of appropriating their husbands material wealth. Apart from the calumny, they get to go through demeaning rituals such as bathing with the water used in washing the deceased, sleeping in the same room as the deceased for several days, taking an oath to swear that they had no hand in killing their husbands, sleeping with strangers for cleansing and being handed over to her husband's brothers as wife.

The rich and educated are not immune nor can they circumvent some of the demeaning practices. The only difference is that they have the resources to fight. I am glad that the women are fighting back. Change can only come from within the community.

More information can be found here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-africa-41999891/kenya-widows-fight-sexual-cleansing-practise

Ghana's president making some points.

Watch this 👇
https://www.facebook.com/Abiyamo/videos/1422184391225473/

Stockfish

I love the taste of stockfish in my Nigerian dishes. Many Nigerian delicacies are enhanced by just dropping few pieces of the fish in the dish. However, the aroma of the fish does need some getting used to. To me, the smell is not as bad as some have made it out to be; it is just like getting used to the smell of stilton or brie cheese. The smell is part of the package, I believe.

Here is a picture of the Okra soup I made, which was infused with spices, dry fish and crayfish. Can't remember if I added stockfish to this soup. You can imagine the miasma that hung around my home after making this meal. The combination of the smell of dry fish and crayfish is not for the feeble-minded! Ha! I think it is an acquired taste and it tastes delicious.

Oh, I can only imagine the bewilderment of anyone not accustomed to the pungent smell of the fish when they come into my home after making a dish with it! Excellent!


I enjoyed the BBC coverage of the Norwegian stockfish and the market that Africa provides for it. Here is a link to the BBC report http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-42137476

It just snowed in London

The weather forecast was spot on. This morning was bitterly cold. I cannot find my gloves and don't know where I left them. Time to invest in new ones. I just looked outside and noticed the snow.

Everyone is talking about this engagement

Watch video of Prince Harry and Meghan talk to the press after the announcement of their engagement.

Click on the link to watch. Prince-Harry-proposes-Meghan-Markle.




Source: Dailymail

It is official! Prince Harry to marry girlfriend Meghan Markle

Many have been waiting for this royal engagement and it has been announced this morning that Prince Harry is to marry his girlfriend, Meghan Markle. In a statement, Prince Charles said he was "delighted to announce" his son's news and that Harry had received the blessing of Ms Markle's parents.

The announcement, issued by Clarence House, the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall's official residence, said details about the wedding day would be "announced in due course".The pair will appear for a photo outside Kensington Palace on Monday afternoon and will take part in a broadcast interview in the evening.

The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh said they were "delighted for the couple and wish them every happiness", a Buckingham Palace spokesman said.

Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, said they were "very excited for Harry and Meghan", adding: "It has been wonderful getting to know Meghan and to see how happy she and Harry are together." 

Prime Minister Theresa May offered her "very warmest congratulations" and wished the couple "great happiness for the future".

Ms Markle's parents, Thomas Markle and Doria Ragland, said they were "incredibly happy" for the couple. "To see her union with Harry, who shares the same qualities, is a source of great joy for us as parents," they said.

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 Culled from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-42137179

Profound!

Great watch 👇

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10155345398687217&id=228735667216

Happy weekend

Eqypt: More than 230 killed in Sinai mosque

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An attack killing over 230 people have been reported to have taken place in Egypt.

According to the BBC website, witnesses gave account of how dozens of gunmen arrived in off-road vehicles and bombed the packed mosque before opening fire on worshippers as they tried to flee. This attack is said to be the deadliest attack of its kind since an Islamist insurgency in 2013.

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-42110223

Lecture by his Royal Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife

I attended a lecture that the Ooni of Ife presented on inclusive governance, and it was quite insightful. He spoke on the need for inclusivity, on the importance of identity and on making Africa great again. He is a very charismatic and charming man and spoke with great confidence. Here are some pictures :

Libya migrants - Rwanda offers refuge

We watched in horror and disgust a video released by CNN last week, showing men being auctioned off as farm workers.

I am glad that Rwanda is trying to do something about helping those stranded people. I hope other African countries follow suit.

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This is what the Foreign Minister, Louise Mushikiwabo said:

"Rwanda, like the rest of the world, was horrified by the images of the tragedy currently unfolding in Libya, where African men, women and children who were on the road to exile, have been held and turned into slaves".

She said that Rwanda was a small country but it would find space.

She told the pro-government New Times newspaper that Rwanda was in talks with African Union (AU) Commission to determine how to intervene and resettle them.

"What I expect and know is that Rwandans will welcome these people. As Rwandans, we are sensitive to people who are helpless and have no way of protecting themselves. It is something that is deep in ourselves, we take pride in human beings," the paper quotes her as saying.

Culled from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-42095629

What do you make of this?

See the tweet from Ugandan President

Mugabe was in power for 37 years and now that he has handed over power, what lessons should other African leaders learn from his leadership and overthrow? 

African Presidents who have been in power for over a decade are as follows:

*Paul Biya Of Cameroon - 32years in power;

*Teodoro Nguema Of Equatorial Guinea - 38years; 

*Denis Nguasso Of Congo - 31years; 

*Museveni Of Uganda - 31years; 

*Al-Bashir Of Sudan - 28years;

*Idris Deby Of Chad - 26years; 

*Isaias Afwerki Of Eritrea - 26years; 

*Paul Kagame Of Rwanda - 23years;

*Faure Gnassingbe Of Togo - 12years;

*Jose Eduardo Dos Of Angola - 36years;

 Will romancing the militarty be enough or do the government need to get the people on their side?