WELCOME TO MY CALABAR

   Calabar, the capital of Cross River state also known as the " Canaan City" is situated in the south southern area of Nigeria (West Africa).

                    Picture from google.com

Calabar is a large metropolis today with towns like Ikot Ansa, Akim, Ikot Ishie, Kasuk, Duke town, Bakassi, Base and Akamkpa.

                 picture from google.com

Since the 16th century Calabar has been a recognised as an international seaport exporting goods such as Palm oil.

                       Picture from google.com
It was named Calabar by the Spanish before the British took over.

Calabar was the home of the first social club in Nigeria, called the African club.

The king of Calabar is referred to as the Obong and he sits on a stool of the Ekpe secret society.

                  Picture from google.com
The peaceful and friendly nature of the people and the city itself makes it an attraction for tourist visiting Nigeria.

The Calabar festival holds yearly from
 the 1st to the 31st of December. The festival is believed to be the biggest street carnival in Africa.

                    Picture from google.com

Mary Mitchell Slessor a missionary, came to calabar in 1876. She stopped the brutal murder of twins in the town.

                 Picture from google.com

Calabar women are believed to be good in virtually all they do. From cooking, house keeping, to love making, and being  faithful partners and mother.

The Ekpe cult was vested with the powers of policing and bringing law and order to the kingdom.


The fattening room is a special room where brides to be are kept, fed, nourished and trained on how to behave when they are finally married.

Picture from google.com

A lady who is engaged is sent to the fattening room until the day of her wedding. She is not allowed to be seen by her husband or friends until the D- day.

Is it true that calabar women are caring all round and good in love making?
Tell me about your experience on this platform or my email:
joymorestar@gmail.com

Love and kisses
JOY

   THE MAGIC OF THE BENIN KINGDOM.

The authority and the influence of the Benin empire spread from the north west of the Niger river to southeast of Nigeria to the coast of Republic of Benin.
Benin Kingdom is Known for their rich culture, tradition, artifacts, ancient beads etc.

                     Picture from Africa.so.edu
The ancient kingdom of Benin as a pre- colonial empire is able to bring modernity and tradition together in a unique fusion.
Benin people from time pride themselves in their wealth of history and civilization.
Let's take a peek at what makes Benin kingdom a truly historic kingdom.

                     Picture via google.com
The oba of Benin is the monarch and spiritual head.

The predominant language of Benin people is Edo,pidgin and English.

 Benin kingdom represents earliest civilization among black Africans.

    Benin artifacts are among the most          exquisite and coveted in the world's history.

    The art of Benin kingdom are a global brand.

                      Picture via google.com


 Christianity, traditional religion and Islam is the predominant religion.


 Ododo (means red) is the official royal color of the kingdom of Benin.

The Ogiso ( kings of the sky) ruled the original people and founders of the Benin Empire.


Benin kingdom remains a custodian of culture and traditon.

 The artifacts of Benin remain the most coveted in the world.


People from Benin are known to be warm, hospitable and enlightened.

The origin of Benin bronze casting history is hard to tell, but it is established that the art has been in practice from the time of the first royal dynasty (Ogisos)

     Benin kingdom has more one hundred festivals celebrated all year round. This makes the place ever memorable.

 

                     Picture via google.com

Igun street which is the citadel of brass casting is a cultural heritage site.

The Oba of Benin's royal palace is listed by UNESCO as a heritage site.

                     Picture via google.com

 In 1897 the killing of Captain James Phillips and his group led to the British invasion of the Benin empire.

                          Picture via google.com

 Most of the bronze and Ivory pieces belonging to the Benin kingdom were looted in 1897 during the British invasion of the Empire.

                       Picture via google.com

According to tradition, the Oba of Benin does not smile in public because people are not supposed to see his teeth.

 Whatever he says is final.

 The wives of the Oba of Benin cover their mouth with a handkerchief as a sign of submission.

                       Picture via google.com

 The wives of the Oba are never allowed to visit their parents.

Interesting and nice to be informed. Do you know any other historic fact I did not mention please add it. You can also contact me on: joymorestar@gmail.com

Love and kisses.

       SWEET SNACKS AND DRINKS FROM                          NORTHERN NIGERIA.

Beautiful looking veiled women and girls, handsome men and boys in their kaftans or jalabia.
Business gurus, politicians, lovers of language, tradition and culture.  From my own perspective, this are the words I choose to qualify my northern family and friends with.
 I guess I still missed out one major word....... "Sweet tooth!!".
People from the hausa tribe love sweet things more than any other tribe in Nigeria (West Africa).
These sweet snacks and drinks would make you fall in love with their tradition and if you are willing to allow your self indulge for just a bit, then you may experience the sweet-i-licious-ness I am talking about.
Let's take a peek at  sweet foods and snacks from Northern Nigeria.
Ready, set , go.....

1. ALKAKI
 This is a snack every sweet tooth person will love.
ALKAKI is a grainy, sweet,crunchy snack made from wheat flour and soaked in honey. If well preserved it can last for a whole year. It is served fresh with a cup of coffee or rich tea.
ALKAKI is rich in fiber, carbohydrate and vitamins.

2. DABINO (Dates)
Dabino is an absolute favorite of any northerner. Its a popular fruit that can be consumed by eating it plainly or by blending it with yogurt, milk or coconut. Dabino helps give relief from constipation, heart and intestinal problems. Dabino is rich in fiber, vitamin, carbohydrates and minerals.

3. RAKE (Sugar cane)
This is found to be very abundant in the northern part of Nigeria. Its juice is beneficial to the body as it helps prevent and treats sore throat, coughs, cold,flu and other infection caused by cold.

4. ALAWAN KANTU (Beni seed candy)
This delicious snack is made from Beni seed. The seed is mixed with golden brown sugar or honey to form a thick paste. It then shaped as desired.
This snack helps in the fight against breast and prostrate cancer.

5. ALAWAN MADARA (Milk candy)
This is made from a mixture of milk, sugar and very little water. Yummy!

6. ALAWAN GADA (Groundnut candy)
This is another win win snack to cool off on a hot and boring afternoon when you need an energy boost.
Alawan gada is made by melting sugar till its golden brown, mix in the roast groundnut you have set aside. Mould into any shape you like. End result...... De....licious.
               

7. AYAN SIKARI ( tigernut candy)
This is a very common snack found in the north.
 Tiger seed is mixed with sugar. It is an extremely delicious snack.

8. GULUSUA (Fried milk candy)
 This is a very sweet milky snack. It is made by mixing milk with sugar to form a thick paste. It is then rolled into round balls and fried till its golden brown. Enjoy with zobo, KUNU or any soft drink.

9. ALEWAN COFFEE ( honey milk candy)
This tasty candy is made from a mixture of milk,honey and sugar. It is then deep fried to golden brown. You will relish the taste.

10.KWAKUMAITRI (coconut candy)
This sweet cruncy snack will spice up your boring afternoon and bubble you back to life.
Kwakumaitri is made by melting sugar on your stove till a golden brown color is achieved. Mix it with already grated coconut. Mould into desired shape.

11. KULI-KULI
This hausa delicious snack is made from roasted peanuts mixed with spices, salt,and pepper. It is shaped as desired and then fried.

12.  MASA DA SIKARI
Made from rice soaked in water and grinded. The masa mixture is then fried in a masa  pot called 'kaskon masa'.

 Masa is consumed with sugar sprinkled on it generously. This is a very popular snack from northern Nigeria.

13. DANKALI (Sweet potatoes)
Dankali is a staple food in northern Nigeria. It is a very healthy food. Its mostly fried and grinded pepper sprinkled on it. It is sold by hausa road side food vendors all over Nigeria.

14. ZOBORODO DRINK
This is another popular drink that is taken by northerners. Made from dried calyxes of the hibiscus plant.
Zobo drink is used traditionally as a mild medicine. It also helps in curing cold, cough, weight reduction, reduces high blood pressure, helps in the treatment of liver and kidney problems and even curing fever.
Cheers!!

15. KUNU
 This is a popular drink hausa people enjoy. It is a nutritional cereal made from millet,ginger,various spices and pepper. Enjoy.

16. FURA DA NONO

A healthy filling drink from northern Nigeria that has passed the popularity test. Even those that have never been to the north know this drink.
Fura is made from millet flour spiced with ginger, cloves and pepper.
 Sugar is added to taste before consuming.

17. DANKWA

 made from peanut, maize, spies and sugar. You will savour the amazing taste. Hummm.

18. KOKO DA KOSAI (Pap and bean cake)
This is a delicious staple food that has also won the popularity test. It is taken in the morning for breakfast in virtually every home and by almost everyone.
Koko is also sold along with kosai by women along the road or under shady trees in nothern Nigeria. It is served with a koko spoon to help those drinking it enjoy their meal.

19. GORIBA (Doum Palm fruit)
This fruit is delicious when eaten raw. It can be soaked in water for hours or overnight (to soften for those with not too strong teeth).
Goriba is used as a herbal tea to treat hypertension. It can also be used to treat stomach pain and bladder infection.

20. DANBU DA NONO
This is a powdery form of fura.It looks like couscous. It is mixed with nono and sugar is added to taste.

NB: Remember to have your bottle of agbo jedi-jedi (traditional medicine for pile) handy OOO as you go on this sweet- licious adventure.  I have said my own OOO.
Do you know any other sweet snack. Tell me about it . joymorestar@gmail.com
Love and kisses from
More JOY

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE
                   HAUSA TRIBE.

                          HISTORY

                     Picture from google map

 Hausa people or Hausawa as they are also called can be found in Sudan, Niger, Chad, Ivory Coast, Togo, Cameroon and Ghana.  Hausas can also be found in North-western Nigerian towns like Kano, Zaria, Bauchi, Lafia,Kastina,Abuja,  Birnin Kebbi, Yola, Suleja, Yola, Makurdi, Zaria. etc
           
                              RELIGION

                      Picture from google
People that practice Islamic religion are referred to as Moslems or Muslims and their practices are based on the teachings of the Prophet Mohammed, as recorded in the Holy Quran.
Based on their Arabic roots, the Hausas are predominantly Muslims and they are considered the 4th largest Muslim bloc in the world.

            FACTS ABOUT THE HAUSA TRIBE
                                  

Hausa's use the word " Salama alekum" (peace be unto you all) before going into a place occupied by people. Those in the building/office or house reply by saying " amu alaekum wa salam" ( peace be unto you also).

 Hausas do not circumcise their male children until they are about 3 to 5 years old or even older as a way of cultural belief

People from the Hausa tribe  start preparing their daughters for marriage from her childhood. Her parents buy and store items a female child would take to her husband's house.

When a female child gets married, depending on how financially buoyant her parent's are.  She is not sent off to her husband's house empty handed. Her parents will provide all she would need as a new bride. These items range from electrical appliances, kitchen utensils, bedroom furniture, bathroom necessities, beauty and body care products, clothing, under garments, traditional scents, incense, and perfumes etc.

Hausa people appreciate people from other tribe who can speak their language fluently or above average. From bargains to asking for favors, Hausa's go all out to show kind gestures in anyway they can to  non indigenes who can speak there language.

Hausa people record the Highest number of petty traders you can find around. From mai shayi (tea seller), mai suya (grilled meat seller), mai goro( kolanut seller), to mai agogo (wristwatch seller), or mai lemo  (orange seller). They begin small and then carve a niche for themselves.

               

Picture from google

People from the hausa tribe do not segregate between the rich or poor, educated or unlearned, highly placed or  low class. Hausas  believe that we are all equal before the Almighty Allah (God). A highly placed Hausa person can be seen eating from the same plate with a poor person.

                     Picture from naija foods

 People from the Hausa tribe value and cherish their language so much that the language is used as a tool for conversing with any one they meet.

The Hausa language has more first-language speakers than any other language in Sub-Saharan Africa. It has an estimated 35 million first  language speakers, and 20 million second language speakers. 

   Picture from google

Hausa people love sweet things so much that they have so many sweet snacks like alkali, alawan madara (milk sweet), zoborodo drink, kunun geda, kantun sikari, alawan geda etc.

  Hausa women use beauty products, ornaments, incense and jewelries especially gold. A large number of hausa  women adorn themselves with gold jewelries as this is cherished from childhood to adulthood.  

                    Picture from google

The lalli or henna paintings  which is a temporary body tattoo  also an indispensable part of their make up. Every hausa woman or girl loves to beautify themselves with this art work especially during special occasions like weddings.

                     Picture from VOA News

 The Hausa tribe are also known for prominent tribal marks which they draw mainly on the face and other parts of the body. The Hausa tribal mark was used for identification purposes especially during war, missing person, and slave trade transact. 

                            

   Picture from google

Hausa men and women use a sex enhancement range of product called kayan mata/ kayan maza. This is believed to help enhance sexual pleasure in couples. Kayan mata is given to a new bride on her wedding day as a gift to help her sexually in marriage.

Hausa's love the Honda brand of car. You would actually think its because its owned by one of their brothers, Dangote. They love it because of the low fuel consumption and maintenance.

Picture from google

 Hausa people love power so much and they would do anything to remain at the corridors of power. That's why they are good politicians and every other tribe in Nigeria look up to them when it is time for election. 
As part of their political game plan major political parties either pick a hausa person as their presidential candidate or running mate. Interesting right.

                       Picture from google

Hausa people believe in destiny and the will of God. They believe that whatever happens in life has been  predestined by God.

Every good things comes to he who waits!!

Do you know any interesting fact I did not  mention please share.

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