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Idorenyin's West African Palm Nut Soup

Palm nut is a primary staple in every household in West Africa. Palm nut is also crucial the economy of West Africa through export primarily to the ‘Global North’. Palm nut soup is known by different names across Western Africa.  You can call it banga, Abak, Abentwan, ofe akwu, sauce graine, deku dessi, etc. This soup is very warm and comforting. It has very healthy fat and has the ability to lower and maintain one’s blood sugar house in the village. Her grandmother had a large Atama leaf tree, the vegetable that is cooked along with palm nut soup. Idorenyin’s grandmother had palm plantations and was involved in Palm oil production, processing, and sales, so the ingredients were always very accessible to cook. Idorenyin fell in love with the soup-the texture, warmth and distinct taste it brings.

Idorenyin is a 4th year PhD candidate in Cultural Studies. Her research interest is on socio-cultural impact of the extraction of critical mineral resources in the Niger Delta and the Northwest Territories. Idorenyin sees cooking as an art that is very spiritual--it connects you with your ancestors. For Idorenyin, cooking is a spiritual journey, to create something that warms the body and uplifts the soul. She learnt to cook from the women around her: her mum, grandmother, and aunties. As an immigrant in Canada, cooking her native soup, fosters a sense of belonging and continued connection to home.