Ovimbundu Wisdom! No. 8

Here is another Ovimbundu wisdom proverb.  Enjoy!

Proverb: Etako lia muine omangu, utima ka wa muine omangu. 

Translation: Body is easily satisfied but not the heart. 

Angolan Food: Pudim Dessert

Pudim Dessert

This is a light and moist pudding that has a long history in Angolan culture and households. This recipe has a hint of passion fruit (a fruit native to Angola) and for a richer version of the dessert, add fresh cream. 

INGREDIENTS

250g condensed milk
3 large eggs
3 passion fruits (or 4 oz. Coconut)
2 cup milk full fat or semi-skimmed
2 tsp flour
1/2 cup Sugar – for caramel

METHOD

Pre heat boiling hot water, gas level 4: add the sugar in chiffon cake tube tin, place the tin in the fire gas level 2 until it turns to caramel, leave to cool aside, in a clear bowel. Whisk the eggs together, then add the condensed milk and continue to whisk. Add the milk, passion fruit, 2 flour and whisk together.

Put the mix in the cake tin cover, if you don't have a cover use clean fill to cover the pudding and cover the water pan and put in the boiling water for 30-35 minutes. Allow to cool for 10 minutes, place in a plate to serve. (From Angolan Food Recipes)

African Folklore: The Hare and the Crocodile

(A Hambakushu legend)   Long, long ago, Ngando the Crocodile lived in a quiet backwater in the swamps of the Great Okavango.  One day, a herd of Zebra came down to drink at his creek.  Ngando was envious of their grace and beauty and of the freedom with which they roamed the plains.  He was bored with his little stretch of water, so he asked the Zebras if he could live with them on the open grasslands.

"How could you live with us?" asked the Zebras.  "The plains are so far away from the water?"

"Oh, I'm sure I will be able to manage," replied Ngando, more hopefully than truthfully.

So when the Zebras filed away after their drink, Ngando the Crocodile heaved himself up the bank and followed them.  Soon, he was left far behind and the Zebras had to wait for him to catch up.

By noon, it was so hot that Ngando could go no further.  He dug himself in beneath a shady tree.  He was so tired he slept as though he was dead.  When on of the Zebras returned to look for him, he though the crocodile had indeed died.  So the Zebra left him where he was.

While Ngando slept, Hare strolled past.  Hare saw the adventurous crocodile sleeping beneath the shady tree.  Hare woke him up (very carefully!), and asked him why he was so far from his home in the water.

"I foolishly followed the Zebras. But they ran off and left me all alone." said Ngando.  "I would be very grateful for some assistance in getting home," he added, hopefully.

Hare offered to help, provided Ngando promised him a favor in return. The desperate crocodile quickly agreed and the Hare ran off to get help.