This hospitality poem on Ibibio delicacies is to showcase the rich delicacies of the Ibibio people of the South-South region of Nigeria.
This poem on hospitality and Ibibio cuisine aim to highlight the diverse culinary traditions of the Ibibio people of Nigeria's South-South area. Historical, Tourism and Heritage Poems about Akwa Ibom State
Ibibio Delicacies
Blessed people of a blessed tribe
Him whose strength is a symbol of her delicacies
Celebrated in their diverse sumptuous meals
That other tribe seems to envy with pride.
Great descendants from Usayedet
I tapped into the strength of your love
My mouth couldn’t resist a taste of your strengths
No wonder they say you have the key to a man’s heart.
For the sake of posterity, I shall unveil your secrets
That others who seek wisdom would benefit
For the efficacies spiced in your delicious delicacies
These are lessons whose aroma prolongs life.
If you must learn their guided secrets
Then tap your feet to her traditional coronations
Let your eyes witness their Usoro Udo
For there, the gathering of Ibibio delicacies is on display
As an old maiden unveiled their efficacies to the body.
Afang Soup – Weekend’s special
Prepared from shredded afang and water leaves
Spiced with fresh pepper and assorted ingredient
That a plate served is a call for another.
Edikang Ikong – Everyday blood tonic
Cooked in the combination with pumpkin and water leaves
For those who seek revitalization, a sure recommendation
Now a global recipe served in major restaurants around the world.
Abak Soup – Aroma of our old-maidens
Made from cooked oil palm fruits
With the addition of Atama leaves
Her traditional strength is arose
She is a major test a maiden must pass
If truly she must be certified fit for marriage.
Efere Etike – Sample of a spider net
Spiced from Okro Fruits and pumpkin leaves
A quick drop feeds a hungry stomach
But be careful or else you stain your cloth.
Efere Ikon – Yellow mixture
That extract from the melon seeds
An addition of bitter leaves
Gives a bitter-sweet taste
That puts vinegar to shame.
Afia Efere – Holder of traditional ceremonies
That chilly combination of spices served with pounded yam
Now makes her the toast of traditional ceremonies
Surely, an august visitor would always remember you.
Iwuk Ukom – Nine months evidence
Cooked from unripe plantain and pumpkin leaves
Served with a splash of palm oil
Sure energy booster, the men folk knows thy reward
For you set the tone of laughter that puts Viagra to shame
Now our maidens could coin sweet names…
Ekpan Nkukwo – Replenisher of our nursing mothers
From the tubers of coco-yam and coco-yam leaves you are made
An addition of periwinkles swells your aroma
For you revitalized the body of our nursing mothers
And restore their shapes for all eyes to see.
Iwuot Ebot – Pride of fun seekers
You’re our local salad made from goat head
Your chilly smell is an appetizer that runs our nose
Surely the ladies know thy worth
For no fun is complete without a taste of you…
How could I forget you – Iwuk Edesi
The joy of our hinterland children
Our own local jollof rice you are
In combination with crayfish
And palm oil, you are cooked
That is what they missed in fried rice
Are the health strengths they harbour in you.
How my journey is about to end
But I can’t go without giving out our appetizers
That would hold down the heart
As our revitalizing delicacies smoke from the cooking pot.
Edita Iwa our appetizer made from cassava tubers would do
Do not forget Ukana seed, a gift from Ukana tree
Who would forget Ibong, our own African Kola
For he who brings him, they say brings life.
The little our hands could touch we have learned
Let him that must know, knows
For no one tree makes a forest our wise elders would say
The Ibibio are blessed, for their delicacies are their pride
If you must have the key to a man’s heart
Go, learn this secret “Good cooking”.
Nsikak Andrew, 25th June 2007
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