Because food is more than eating, and that which begins in pain can be transformed.
Ever since I heard about Acarajé in 2009, I haven’t been the same. In ‘Women, Food and God‘, author Geneen Roth says that everything about life is on the plate. And it is true – joy, sorrow, remembrance, hope, worship, fellowship, pain, anger, friendship are reflected in how we eat and what we celebrate.
I’d particularly like to celebrate Acarajé, how far it’s come. This is my understanding of its history:
19th century
In the 19th century, slaves of Yoruba heritage were torn from homelands and taken across stormy seas to Bahia on Brazil’s north-eastern coast. Acarajé was first sold after the abolition of slavery in the late 19th century and became an important source of income for the formerly enslaved. The ingredients – black-eyed beans, palm oil, and melegueta pepper came was produce native to Africa. Through the Colombian exchange and African slave trade, they arrived The Americas. Acarajé must have been popular during the captivity, such that it could take root in freedom.
Baianas, Afro-Brazilian women sold Acarajé, dressed in specific styles of clothing – white skirts, cotton gowns, ‘panos da costa’ (a piece of cloth, usually rectangular, white or in two colours, used on the shoulders and having as main function to distinguish the position of women in African-Brazilian communities), head wraps, beaded necklaces and trinkets. They set up Tabuleiros to sell their wares.
1865/ Princess Isabel as a black Bahian woman at a costume ball in London
Princess Isabel of Brazil, ‘The Redemptress‘ was the heiress presumptive to the throne of the Empire of Brazil, bearing the title of Princess Imperial. She also served as the Empire’s regent on three occasions. In her third and final regency, she actively promoted and ultimately signed a law, named Lei Áurea or the Golden Law, emancipating all slaves in Brazil; Source: Wikipedia
Invited to one of Queen Victoria’s themed balls in February 1865, dressed like a causing surprise and several comments in the Brazilian Court.
20th century
1938/ The Baiana was honored in a famous song by singer-songwriter Dorival Caymmi
Who was also from Bahia, in his famous 1938 classic song, “O que é que a baiana tem (What is it That the Baiana Has)?”
1992/ Establishment of ABAM. The Association of Bahian Acarajé and Porridge Women
ABAM’s work is geared towards the professional activity, promoting food hygiene courses and financial management to help its members to better manage their profits
1993/ 50 000 Cruzerios Reais Banknote
In 1993, Brazil honoured the Baianas by putting them on bank notes.
21st Century
2004/ the art and significance of Acarajé recognized by IPHAN
as one of 15 items registered as being ‘of national immaterial treasure’ by IPHAN, Institute do Patrimônio Histórico e Artístico Nacional, inscribed in the National Book of Knowledge as a result of the decision made at the 45th meeting of the Consultative Council for Cultural Patrimony on December 01, 2004; Flavors of Brazil
2009/ Kitchen Butterfly discovers the relationship between Nigerian Akara and Brazilian Acarajé
2010/ Kitchen Butterfly writes about The Brazilian-Nigerian connection on the blog
2011 – 2012/ Veja, a Brazilian newsmagazine publishes a highly regarded/ esteemed food & culture guide for major Brazilian cities.
Recipients receive a wall-plaque awarded as evidence of the honour. Jaciara de Jesus Santos, known to all as simply Cira, was awarded the honour of making the best Acarajé in Salvador; Flavors of Brazil
2012/ The Baiana Doll by Mattel hits the shelves
Immortalised in Barbie’s “Dolls of the World” collection, Mattel, released a version of the Bahia doll in 2012. To the surprise of many, Barbie Baiana was much cheaper in the US compared with Brazil :(.
Baiana frying Acarajé in dende; Source – Brazil Vibes
2013/ FIFA threatens to stop the sale of Acarajé but the Baianas fight back, and win
In 2012 – 2013, FIFA excluded the Baianas from being part of the food vendors for the World Cup warm-up tournament – the 2013 Confederations Cup. This ban included a no-sell two kilometer radius around the event ground for ‘itinerant trade’. The implication? Denial of livelihood for many who had spent decades making and selling Acarajé but the Baianas forged an army so strong – “Libere as baianas” and won! Over 16,000 people signed a petition culminating in the official opening of the stadium in April 2013, when Baianas won hearts aplenty by giving out free Acarajé outside the stadium and delivered the petition to a close aide of the country’s president, Dilma Rousseff, who was at the inauguration.
In 2004, IPHAN chose acarajé for this list, but not only the dish itself, but also the way that it is prepared, the traditional clothing of the baianas (the women who sell it on the streets of Salvador, Bahia, mainly in the Historic Centre, named in Portuguese Pelourinho), linked to the rituals of the Afro-Brazilian religion Candomblé (about which I wrote here), and the customary layout of accompaniments on the baianas‘ streetside tables, called tabuleiros. The traditional costume of the baianas, consists of turban, starched skirt of colourful pattern, shawl over the shoulder – or tied to the breast – bracelets and necklaces, is a symbol of their social and religious status.
2010/ the Official Diary of the Brazilian Republic established an annual day of commemoration November 25 as the National Day of Baianas Selling Acarajé.
2014/ Kitchen Butterfly makes Acarajé for the first time
Published in Nomads, by Klorofyl Magazine
2016 Discovery of Bajia in Tanzania, in the family Akara
A round, crusty version of Akara :), the same bean fritter. Served on the streets of Dar with pili pili (hot sauce).
2016, Kitchen Butterfly puts a New Nigerian Kitchen Spin on Acarajé
Making it into ‘Akara Prawn Toast’ and sharing at a private dinner with Nigerians and Non-Nigerians.
The dish consisted of the prawn toasts, dipped in Akara batter, and served with pawpaw chutney, vatapa – a cashew and peanut sauce and a fresh tomato salsa.
And writes about it in The Guardian for Independence Day.
With this, I come to an end, ladies and gentlemen with every intention of updating as I find out more information.
PS/ A great read: Baianas of the Acaraje: A Story of Resistance
What do you know about the Baianas? Please share!
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