Nigeria is a country with diverse ethnic groups. I consider the country a reservoir of food culture because the different ethnic groups have their traditional cuisine. These traditional foods are usually dependent on the food and ingredients that are produced in a particular area. Interestingly, these ethnic groups share two traits in common. First is their ability to use different herbs and spices to create memorable meals. The second is their love for swallow. For those who do not know, swallow refers to the different starchy foods that accompany local soups. Most people in Nigeria cannot go a day without swallow. Suffice it to say that swallow is to the average Nigerian what tea is to the English Man.
Our history segment today takes us to Rivers State in South-South Nigeria. Rivers State is a land of many rivers, a people with a rich, cultural heritage. Today, we’ll be discussing a Rivers delicacy known as Temburu. It is a kind of swallow that is quite popular amongst the people. It is a ceremonial food of the Kalabari who call it Onunu, the Okrika who call it Temburu and the Bonny people who call it Opopo. Temburu is also prepared for new mothers as it is believed to contain properties that can nourish the woman and restore her health.
In Okrika, young maidens undergoing the Iria ceremony are fed Temburu during their stay in the fattening room. The Iria ceremony is an annual event in Okrika, a celebration of feminity. It is a rite of passage that ushers young virgins of the community into womanhood. Participants are usually young girls who are eighteen years and above. In the olden days, once these girls are inspected before their tribe and confirmed to be virgins, they are painted and led into the fattening room. They’ll be in seclusion for one to six months.
One aim of this fattening room seclusion is to teach the young maidens the art of home management. Another reason for this is to plump up these teenagers; it is believed in this community that bigger brides are more beautiful. It is also believed that they have better chances of carrying babies to term than slimmer brides. Temburu is one of the delicacies that girls in the fattening room enjoy. It is believed to make them chubby and attractive. On the final day of the rites of Iria, the community considers the robust and ample proportions of the maidens a testimonial of their productive stay in the fattening room.
Temburu is made from pounded yam, very ripe plantains and palm oil. It is served with light fish sauce or soup. The taste of this swallow is really unusual for those who have never tried it. This nutritious and delicious meal, in general, is a wonder to experience.
Reference
Chukwudi Akasike, “Iria Festival: Excitement in River Community as Maidens are Set to Dance Half-Naked,” Punch Newspaper, https://punchng.com/iria-festival-excitement-in-rivers-community-as-maidens-are-set-to-dance-half-naked/
Alaerembo, Temburu (Onunu/PoundedYam) https://waboyon.wordpress.com/2015/04/23/temburu-onunu-pounded-yam/