A Poem about J Rice
From the land of West Africa,
Comes a dish that's adored,
A fragrant, spicy wonder,
That's loved from shore to shore.
The star of all the shows,
A dish with tales to tell,
A dish that's been perfected,
With flavors that will compel.
Tomatoes, onions, peppers,
A mix of spices too,
Cooked with rice to perfection,
A dish that's tried and true.
Rising from Senegal’s teranga,
Now spread far and wide,
From Nigeria to Ghana,
A dish with nation pride.
The rival run so deep,
As countries claims the best,
Debates have raged for years,
Whose is truly blessed.
Despite the heated battles,
One thing is clear to see,
Jollof has made its mark,
As it gains worldwide prestige.
From food blogs to social media,
The dish has caught the eye,
And with every mouth-watering bite,
It's clear it can't be denied.
So whether it's made in Lagos,
Or in Accra by the sea,
One thing is for sure,
Jollof is the dish to see.
Guguru Perere, Epa Perere
Tunji Oyelana is a social crusader, award winning musician, and performer who has made significant contributions to the Nigerian music industry and society. Born in 1939, Oyelana who initially wanted to become a lawyer began his music career in the early 1960s with EMI records.
Oyelana and his band “The Benders“ were renowned for their unique style of music which combine elements of traditional Nigerian music with jazz and highlife. Their songs are deeply rooted in African culture, and often address societal issues such as corruption and poverty. Oyelana has had some great collaborations including classical teamworks with the great Wole Soyinka one of which lead both men to being charged with treason and forced into exile by former president of Nigeria Sani Abacha.
One of Oyelana's most popular songs is "Guguru Perere," released in 1975 (same year Mama Z’s was born; happy belated birthday to her as her birthday was yesterday!). The song is a classic example of Oyelana's fusion of African rhythms with musical storytelling. The lyrics of the song describe the struggle for survival in Nigeria, with the phrase "Guguru Perere" meaning "popcorn moving from place to place" - an allusion to the itinerant nature of street traders in Nigeria. The bulk of the song talks about the transition of eating and buying whatever you want after payday to becoming a budget master the rest of month and resolving to the inexpensive street snack “guguru and epa” as a source of nutrition until the next payday.
The song begins with a mellow shekere and drums intro, leading into the main melody played by the saxophone. Oyelana's vocals are delivered in a powerful, smooth and catchy style that perfectly captures the essence of the lyrics.
Now, let's move on to the recipe for guguru and epa. Guguru and epa, also known as popcorn and groundnut, is a popular Nigerian snack that is enjoyed by many. It is easy to make and requires only a few ingredients.
Ingredients:
1 cup popcorn kernels
1 cup raw groundnuts
Salt to taste
Instructions:
In a large pot, heat up some vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
Add the popcorn kernels and cover the pot with a lid.
Once the popcorn begins to pop, shake the pot occasionally to ensure that the kernels pop evenly.
When the popping stops, remove the pot from the heat and transfer the popcorn to a large bowl.
In the same pot, roast the groundnuts over medium heat until they turn golden brown.
Add the roasted groundnuts to the popcorn and mix well.
Sprinkle some salt over the mixture and toss to distribute evenly.
Serve in small bowls or paper cones and enjoy!
In conclusion, Tunji Oyelana is an iconic Nigerian artist who has made significant contributions to the music industry. He currently manages a Nigerian Restaurant (Emukay) in the UK where he continues to perform. His timeless music continues to inspire and entertain people around the world, and "Guguru Perere" is a testament to his talent and creativity. So, next time you're in the mood for a delicious snack, try making some guguru and epa to enjoy while listening to some of Oyelana's classic tunes. You can also pickup this tasty snack at our restaurant!