4 Things I’ve learned about eating in Malawi

4 Things I’ve learned about eating in Malawi

Eating is something that we all do. For some like myself it is just not a necessity but an enjoyable activity. Passionate lovers of food are usually referred to as ‘Foodies’. Personally I wouldn’t consider myself one but still a lover of global foods. Even with this desire to eat like and what others from other countries and cultures consume I could always go back to my regular diet of fast food and ramen noodles. Along with microwavable products and large portions of meat these were it. These were the tether to everything that was acknowledged as normal in my whole life. It’s a routine, something that has always been done, pretty much second nature. Then all that was known over a whole life time is not anymore. These are the 4 things I’ve learned about eating in Malawi.

1. SIMA, SIMA and more SIMA!

I could not without a doubt begin this without first mentioning the most important food in the country. This is the national as well as the main staple food known as Sima. Most of the time it is made from corn flour but in the Northern part of the country corn and a tuber known as gausava is turned into flour. The flour is mixed with water over a fire or stove and is stern until it turns into a thick substance. After this it is scooped into individual paddies and served. Sima is by far the most important and biggest part of the Malawian meal. This is usually served for lunch and dinner. Large servings of rice are also used in substitution of Sima.

2. Switching it up

Back in the states I was a huge meat eater. Many people in the country have limited access to meat because it is expensive. During my time in Malawi I have become comfortable with not eating meat every day or even for weeks. I am able to attain meat but have not been dependent on it and a lot of the time prefer not to eat it. There are a variety of other foods that provide protein that are a great substitute. These being eggs, soy products, beans, fish (depending on the area) and vegetables. Vegetables here are dark, leafy and cooked. They remind me of greens. Including meat these foods are known as the ‘Relish’ of a meal. The ‘Relish’ is the smaller part of the plate. With Sima or rice one to three relishes can be served at once. Everything is also served with tomatoes soup and or broth.

3. Kalibu! (Caw-lee-boo)

Often people eat outside of their homes on matts and chairs. Walking past people’s homes during breakfast and lunch time neighbors, friends and even strangers will shout at me “Kalibu!” (Kaw-lee-boo). This is a word in Chitumbuka (one of the languages in Northern Malawi) that basically means “Come and eat with me”. Sometimes I join but it is not offensive to refuse. In the states I am used to eating alone, even at my parents’ house. In any case if I wasn’t already planning on eating with someone I was not going to ask anyone to join me in the middle of itand definitely not a stranger. Now I still like to eat alone but also enjoy some meals with neighbors.

4. Everything is an optional finger food

Growing up I have learned there are foods that need utensils and ones that don’t. A factor in this would be eating smaller, greasy or messier foods with utensils. Here this is different. Everyone eats Sima with their hands and dip it into the other food that is served with it. People do eat rice with a utensil but it’s perfectly fine to dig in with your hands. People even eat with their hands in public and professional settings. I prefer to eat everything with my hands now. It feels weird and almost foreign using utensils. I can perfectly eat just about anything with finesse without a drop spilled.

From eating in Malawi I’ve just not learned how or what people eat. I’ve learned that habits change, a little can be enough, being together is special and getting your hands dirty is a more fun way of enjoying something.

Bonus Fun Fact: In Malawi yawning means that you are hungry.