Nshima is the staple food eaten by not only Zambians but also by Zambia’s neighbouring countries.
It is made from plain maize or corn meal flour known as mealie meal by Zambians. Nshima is usually eaten for lunch and dinner. Zambians believe that Nshima constitutes a complete meal. Any other food eaten in between is considered a snack. Nshima can be eaten with any relish but Zambians enjoy it with chicken and sauce or chicken stew with some greens.
If a Zambian ate sandwich at lunch, they are more likely to say they have not even all day eventhough they ate sandwich.
My mother once cooked potatoes for dinner when my great uncle was visiting. This made my great uncle unhappy. When he went back to the village he told my father’s relatives that he was not given food when he visited us. This surprised my father’ sister who on later date came to visit us just make sure that the man spoke the truth. And again this time my mother cooked rice for dinner. After dinner my father’s sister told my mother what my great uncle told everyone at the village.
And according to bridgewater website there do’s and don’t’s that surround how the Nshima is traditionally served and eaten among Zambians. There are as follows;
- Do not serve left over nshima from a previous meal to any adult
- When eating, a younger person should never stop eating and begin washing hands first unless permitted by the older person
- Guest who suddenly arrive when you are eating should be always be invited to join in sharing the meal
- A lone guest should never be served the meal alone. Another person, often a young reliable child should always eat the nshima with the guest.
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