Directions: |
Directions:Place all ingredients in a pan and cook over low heat, stirring constantly until the mixture sticks to the spoon. For creamier porridge, add more milk. Serve in a bowl with a drizzle of honey.
Adapted and used with permission from www.somalikitchen.com/oats-honey-and-chia-seeds-porridge-mushaali.html/ |
Personal
Notes: |
Personal
Notes: Somalia, located on the eastern coast of Africa, is home to 10,787,000 people. There is also a large population of Somalian people in the United States, as civil war has driven refugees to migrate out of Somalia.
Women primarily give birth at home, attended by a traditional birth attendant or sometimes a midwife. Soon-to-be mothers also have strong support systems of female relatives and community members who provide comfort and support during labor. These women will often host a celebration prior to the birth as a sign of support for the soon-to-be mother. After birth, the baby is protected from the Evil Eye with an herb called malmal, which is applied to the umbilical stump for seven days and woven into a bracelet which the baby wears. The woman and her child then remain at home for forty days being taken care of by female family members and friends. This time period is called afatabah and its purpose is to allow the new mother to rest, bond with and breastfeed her infant.
Food is prepared for the mother during afatabah and it is not uncommon to see maternal weight gain in these first forty days postpartum. Her diet will consist of semisolid foods, soups and teas as these are thought to be filling and enhance breast milk production. The baby will be both breast and bottle fed, with women often breastfeeding for up to two and a half years. Food is offered to the woman before and after she breastfeeds to enhance maternal nourishment. At the end of afatanbah, a “coming out” celebration is held for the baby at the home of a family member or friend. At this time, the family may also participate in a naming ceremony for the baby.
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This recipe for Somali Mushaali (Oats, Honey and Chia Seeds Porridge) is from