MIT questions.

Jimin's question: Don't Berbers get tired of tajines and couscous?

Berbers don't eat just couscous and tajines. There is a variety of tajines and Berebers eat couscous only on Friday. They also eat vegetables, salades, sandwichs, rice and other dishes. Tajines and couscous are not the only food they have.

Hasna question: If a person is sick, would he eat the principal meal with the family?

If a person is sick the mother will cook him something special. For example a soupe or something that will make him feel better. In addition, she will use herbs and make him some tea. If he cannot eat the big meal, he will just eat cooked vegetables.

Achraf's question:Why do you think berbers still eat a lot of tajines and couscous even if they eat it too much, don't you think berbers get tired of it everyday?

To answer Achraf's question, Berbers don't it tajines and couscous every day. They have different type of tajines and dishes. They don't get tired of tajines because there is a wide variety of them. They also don't get tired of couscous because they only eat it on friday.

Dimitri's question: I've heard that the Tunisian tagine is actually a dessert! Are you talking about Berbers in Morocco or all over the places?

To answer Dimitri's question, I am talking only about berbers in Morocco. They have different food from the tunisians because they are influenced by moroccan food. Each country has her own food. For example Tunisia is influencing the berbers that are living there.

AdamB question: Why do they always cook the same dishes while they have a wide variety of food to choose from?

Berbers also eat other dishes and food. They eat salades, brrir, bread and tea, mechoui, cooked vegetables, fish, chicken with sauces. Berbers don't get tired of tajines because there are many types of tajines. They use different meats, vegetables and sauces. Each tajine is different and have a different taste.

Livia's question: Why is it that the Tajine pot is in a triangular form and not a square from?

The tajine is in triangle form because it shows all the vegetables and it is their way to cook. It is also in this form for decoration. Usually, the meat is in the middle.

Berber food summary

Berber food is one of the most significant parts of the Berber’s culture. It is essential for them and for their families. Berbers have their own spices and way to cook. They passed this culture and tradition of cooking through many generations. It is important for them and for us to keep this culture that embellish the Berber villages.

Berber food demonstrates the traditions of Berber villages. Through their food we discover their traditions and way of life. For example Berbers eat what they farm and the animals they raise. They take a small portion of what they farm to eat and the rest they sell it. Berbers also eat in a round table with their families. Each person eat in front of him while respecting others. They don’t use plates. Each person has his own bread. When Berbers say “Bismilah” (in the name of god) before eating, it proves that they are Muslims. There are many other traditions that Berbers need to follow when they eat. For example only one person puts the bread in the table and you should eat with your right hand.

Berbers food is original and natural. It is vital for Berber culture. Berbers eat many different tajines. For instance, tajines with chicken, lemon and olives or tajines with tuna, sardines, lamb meat, plums, legumes and endives or turkey and potatoes. For breakfast, they eat bread with honey and jam, Brrir that is a type of Berber waffles. The most popular and famous food is couscous with cooked vegetables. It is usually eaten every Friday and sometimes when there are special guests. The most popular meat is chicken, pigeon and lamb. The most common drinks in Berber villages are sour milk, mint tea and mineral water.

Berbers has a distinct way to cook. They use lot of spices that are available around their villages. For example, Berbers use hot pepper, black pepper, garlic, coriander, marjoram and other spices to embellish their food. When they cook tajines or other dishes, Berbers put lot of sauce. Such as the most popular sauce “Harissa”. It is made of oil, garlic and hot peppers. The special ingredient of a tajine is the argan oil. It is made of fruits that are then compressed to make oil. These fruits are found around Berber villages. Argan oil makes all tajines better. It is the women of the family who cooks and teaches her daughter the art of cooking.

I think Berber food should be kept. First because it is a way they identify themselves, it is part of their culture. It also symbolizes Berbers. It is a way to attract tourist. Berbers are proud of this part of their culture and it should be preserved so the culture doesn’t break apart. They grew up with their foods and their way of life. So if they change their food they will also have to change location. It will completely change their lives. They won’t be comfortable with something that is not theirs. It is a chance that Berbers have their own food because not lot of cultures have this chance. This is why they are proud. It is also emotional for them when they eat their food that they grew up with.