Big in Africa: Bizarre foods from across the continent

by Matthew Firestone on

This month, Big in Japan is on vacation in Africa, and will be bringing you travel news and happenings from around this often misunderstood continent.

One of the joys of traveling is sampling the local cuisine, even if it pushes your comfort zone and makes you question whether or not it is actually edible. Indeed, appreciating food is all about culture and perspective, which is why it is always good to travel with a hungry stomach and an open mind.

On that note, today’s posting is about some of the more bizarre foods you might come across in your travels across the continent. From stir-fried creepy crawlies to ostrich-egg omelets, Africa has its fair share of culinary oddities.

1) Ugali One of the first foods you’re likely to encounter on the continent is a boiled cornmeal mush that goes by many names including ugali, pap and sadza. While the taste is not unlike really bland mashed potatoes, it will sit in your stomach like a brick, which is why it comprises the bulk of most African diets. Ugali is anything but gourmet, but it is finger-licking good fun, especially since the food acts as its own utensil. Grab a gob and dig into the accompanying sauce!

2) Antelope jerky Something of a South African speciality, biltong is jerky made from wild antelopes such as springbok, oryx and kudu. Although the idea of eating Africa’s most majestic herbivores might be off-putting to some, antelope jerky is seriously delicious stuff, especially when it’s spiced up with peppercorns and hot sauce. Assuming you don’t have high-blood pressure and can overlook the high sodium content, biltong is relatively fat-free and decidedly Atkins friendly.

3) Ostrich egg omelets A single ostrich egg can weigh more than 3 pounds, which is one mighty omelet if you want a hearty breakfast to start your day. If you’re watching your cholesterol, you might want to share the meal with a few friends though as no right-minded person should eat a whole ostrich egg omelet by themselves. After all, it is really is hard to find a frying pan big enough to cook up this monster, let alone a whisk big enough to scramble the yolk.

4) Mopane A major protein source for rural Africans, mopane are sluggish caterpillars that are as colorful as they are delicious. Although you first need to de-spine them and dry them in the sun, they taste something like greasy potato chips, and are best when served up with curry sauce. Of course, mopane worms aren’t chips, but caterpillars – big, honkin’ caterpillars.

5) Termites Continuing on the insect theme, don’t miss the chance to snack on termites, which also serve as a major source of protein for rual Africans. With that said, it’s worth pointing out that termites’ jaws are seriously strong, so best to either bite their heads off quickly or stir-fry them dead before tucking into a few dozen.

Chakula kitamu sana! (That was delicious!)

** All images courtesy of the WikiCommons Media Project **

Big in Africa: How to spot Africa’s biggest wildlife

by Matthew Firestone on

This month, Big in Japan is on vacation in Africa, and will be bringing you travel news and happenings from around this often misunderstood continent.

The thrill of the safari is one of the greatest pleasures of traveling in Africa. Boasting more than a hundred different species of mammals (350+ if you include bats!), the continent is a veritable Lost World of charismatic creatures. Of course, the whole safari experience can easily be lost on you if you’re not exactly sure what you’re looking for.

Most people on safari are obsessed with spotting the so-called Big Five, which include such lofty entries as lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes and black rhinoceroses. A common misconception is that the Big Five refers to the five largest animals in the African bush. However, the phrase was originally coined by big game hunters to denote the five most dangerous animals to hunt, especially since each animal in the group has a reputation for pursuing its attacker when wounded.

Fortunately for you, you’re here in Africa to observe them, not to shoot them…

1) Lions Although they’re near the top of everyone’s ‘must-see’ list, lions are surprisingly easy to spot in East Africa. They have a wide habitat tolerance, and spend most of their days lying about. However, to see this massive predator in top form, arrange for a guided night drive – lions prefer to hunt under the cover of darkness. If nocturnal viewing is not allowed in a park, lions are also active in the early morning and late afternoon.

2) Leopards Africa’s most common cat is surprisingly the most difficult to spot. True to their feline roots, leopards are stealthy and nocturnal, and prefer to spend most of their days sleeping in the treetops. This is one animal that may require the services of a well-trained guide to spot. However, rare sightings do occur in the open, particularly in woodland-savanna areas.

3) Elephants Elephants drink an average of 65 liters of water per day, so it’s usually safe to assume that they’re congregating near a water source. In national parks, elephants are accustomed to vehicles, though drivers should always exert caution and approach herds slowly, especially when offspring are present. Fortunately, elephants will usually give a mock charge if they are threatened, and this usually enough to scare away anyone with the slightest instinct of self-preservation.

4) Buffaloes The African Buffalo is regarded by big game hunters as the most dangerous of the Big Five since they will incessantly pursue an attacker when provoked. Furthermore, solitary males employ the ‘attack is the best defense tactic,’ though large herds are fairly relaxed and unlikely to charge. Buffalo herds have fairly predicable movements, seeking out good grazing and water during the early morning and late afternoon.

5) Black Rhinos Despite their formidable appearance, black rhinos are extremely edgy and nervous animals. When disturbed, they are quick to flee the scene, though they will confront an aggressor head-on, particularly if a young offspring is present. As a result, they are difficult animals to observe in the wild, and it doesn’t help that they are far more endangered than white rhinos. Black rhinos can be easily identified by their triangular (rather than square) lip and the lack of a neck hump, and are smaller than their white counterparts.

Safari njema! (Have a good trip!)

** All images courtesy of the WikiCommons Media Project **

Big in Africa: 5 Things to do before traveling to Africa

by Matthew Firestone on

This month, Big in Japan is on vacation in Africa, and will be bringing you travel news and happenings from around this often misunderstood continent.

Japan is certainly a weird, wacky and wonderful place. But, every once in awhile you need to take a break from the madness in the hopes of getting perspective on the rest of the world. So, it is with great pleasure that I kick off the first installment of Big in Africa, a special edition and limited-time only column dedicated to traveling through the African continent…

Few destinations in the world strike fear in the hearts and minds of concerned parents quite like Africa. (Don’t worry Mom – I’m staying safe, wearing clean underwear and not talking to strangers!)

But, the continent is arguably one of the best places on the planet for adventure travelers, especially if you’re easily jaded by the commercialization of the global tourist trail. After all, Africa certainly isn’t for wet behind the ears beginners, but it needn’t be the sole reserve of leather-skinned veterans.

So, without further adieu, here is a quick and dirty list of 5 things to do before traveling to Africa.

1) Get your shots. If you have a fear of needles, than you might want to think about heading somewhere more tame, like Cancun. Before heading out, you’re going to need jabs for all sorts of illnesses that you’ve probably never heard of. But, just because they’re obscure, doesn’t mean that they can’t turn your internal organs into a smoothie.

2) Get your meds. Malaria sucks. Trust me – I’ve had it twice. On that note, be sure to get a good prophylactic from your doctor, and be sure that you understand all of the potential side effects. Malaria meds can induce day-time hallucinations that are more vivid than recreational drugs, but they’re preferable to having your joints seize up like an old Ford.

3) Get some gear. Never underestimate the importance of a solid internal frame backpack, especially since you’re going to be wedded to it for weeks / months on end. A sturdy tent and a sleeping bag is also a good idea, as are comfortable and non-flashy outdoor clothing. And, while I could easily write an entire post on the importance of good footwear, I’ll simply say that’s worth every dollar to invest in good boots.

4) Do your homework. Needless to say, Africa is a freakin’ huge place. You literally need several lifetimes to explore the continent, and it’s impossible to overstate the incredible diversity of experiences that can be had there. Read some books, check a few travel forums and focus on a country or two that peaks your interest. Africa is not Europe – don’t expect to hit up 15 destinations in two weeks!

5) Have an open mind. Africa will blow your mind, so check all your preconceived notions at home and get ready to have your third eye opened and properly squeegeed.

Stay tuned – there is more Big in Africa to come…

** All images courtesy of the WikiCommons Media Project **

Anyone wintering in Kenya?

by Jerry Guo on

One of my college classmates, Alexandra, is spending her winter vacation in Kenya right now. That’s a pretty unlucky place to be at this moment, as tensions and violence has flared up after their post-Christmas presidential election. But my classmate happens to be a writer, so I guess you could say it’s the perfect place to be.

What has been surprising about Kenya’s turmoil is that it happened in Kenya. No one would bat an eye if this had happened in Somalia or Sudan. But until now, Kenya had a stellar reputation as a stalwart pillar of African stability. They have a booming tourism industry and a steady flow of Western investment.

But will the tourists and investors return once the dust settles in Kenya? For some answers and insight, check out Alexandra’s dispatches in Newsweek and Slate.

Turmoil in Africa

by Jerry Guo on

Are we seeing a turning point in African stability? Yes, there’s plenty of relatively safe countries in Africa to visit, but the news trickling in haven’t been particularly good for many others. First, there was the brouhaha over the British teacher in Sudan; it doesn’t help the 20,000+ UN peacekeepers don’t seem to be stabilizing the region as much as everyone thought.

Then there’s news today that Ethiopia is pressing untrained civilians, including doctors, teachers and office workers, to battle rebels in the Ogaden region. Most ominously, yesterday it was reported that Congo might be plunging back into Civil War. The picture above is from a village in Congo where families, particularly kids, have been forced to hide in an almost completely destroyed Catholic church as fighting between the government and the rebels continue.

Is this a trend we’re seeing? Or unrelated events that happened to coincide in one unfortunate month?