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.