PIN Annual Food Poetry Initiative

25/07/2023

MAMA TEE AND MAMA GEE

Mama Tee must be the biggest Restauranteur in Nigeria with "buka branches" in numerous towns and cities. Her sister Mama Gee is also in the business of "selling restaurants" to the stomachs of millions across our country and both are Nigerians. If you find any signboard bearing Mama Tee or Mama Gee outside Nigeria, it's origin can be traced to two Nigerians called Mama Tee and Mama Gee, hardworking Nigerians who understand the power of culinary deliveries.

Eriata Oribhabor
Lagos, Nigeria

21/07/2023

MY LOVE FOR LOCAL DELICACIES

I have always enjoyed the pleasure of talking about foods and accompanying heritage of culture and traditions they bear as testified in the Eriata Oribhabor Food Poetry Contest that led to an anthology of food poems titled: "Who Shall Make My Wife?" (edited, published in 2015 by SFEV). The opportunity of witnessing a live preparation of this soup by two ladies at a function in Warri, was a reminder of the culinary prowess of my mum - Princess Comfort O. Oribhabor who had a unique penchant for squeezing waters of delicacies from stones of multifarious vegetables/condiments at any time.

Common to many communities in the Niger Delta of Nigeria, the soup in this photo is called "Odoro" by the Esans of Edo state. Check out how it is called in other places:

Urhobos call it "Iribotor"
Itsekiris call it "Obelekpo"
Ijaws call it "Kirigina"
Isoko call it "Esarotor" or "Iziwotor"
Ukwani call it "Ose ani"
Okrikans call it "Kiri-fulo"

For the records, this soup doesn't taste the firestand. Meanwhile, it's a great stomach stabilizer and a beer drinker's delight.

Eriata Oribhabor

10/05/2023

When on your palm seated is a future once spoken, serenades of His place in all, play aloud as vibes of shareable testaments.
©Eriata Oribhabor
Di POET

24/01/2023

EXQUISITE TV

No be weda living room na di same thing as parlour be my konsain. Na how dem just turn am to studio kpa kpa kpa shock me. Di only thing I fit tok now be sey, mek una put eye down for Exquisite TV to watch some exquisite life lessons wey I manage share for pipul to learn one or two lesson.

Eriata Oribhabor
Di POET

29/12/2022

Inter ethnic marriage in the Food. This is really poetic.

Photo Credit: Balogun Olamilekan

11/10/2022