Dumboy – Liberia’s National Delicacy
Today we are paying attention to the Dumboy prepared in Liberia by Liberians.
It is said that most of the foods from Liberia is centered on the consumption of rice, cassava, plantain, yam, tropical fruits and vegetables (potatoes, greens, cassava leaf, okra, cabbage), as well as fish, meat and more. Liberia also has a tradition of baking, including cornbread, sour bread, rice bread, banana bread, and cakes.
Dumboy sounds interesting right? It is the national dish of Liberia.
In order to prepare it, fresh cassava is peeled and boiled, while the fibers from the center are removed. The cooked roots are then placed in a big mortar and beaten with a heavy pestle, then shaped into balls.
The pounding requires expertise and skill, so if dumboy is prepared by a novice, it will probably be quite lumpy and inedible. Before serving, meat stock or hot pepper soup is poured over the dumboy, along with some vegetables, because the sticky dough will adhere to anything dry if it’s not consumed immediately after it’s been prepared.
You can enjoy Dumboy with hot pepper soup or Liberian stew.
Looking at its preparation and how it is consumed, one can easily liken it to the Fufu from Ghana, West Africa.
The only difference is that Fufu (or foo foo, fu fu, fu-fu) is found all throughout Western Africa, whilst dumboy is more closely associated with areas around Liberia.
Dumboy is especially prized by the Mano, Gio, and Bassa people of Liberia.
So, whenever you are in the beautiful country of Liberia, make sure that you have a taste of their especially satisfying dumboy meal.
Stay tuned to this space for more African Foods and Delicacies….
Enjoy your meal of Dumboy…
