Senegal’s national dish, a rice-and-fish platter called ‘thiebou dieune’ has been added to The United Nations’ cultural agency UNESCO heritage list.
The dish which is widely consumed in the West African country was first requested to be included on the list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity by the Senegalese Ministry of Culture in October.
Accroding to The Guardian, “thiebou dieune” means “rice with fish” in Senegal’s dominant Wolof language.
It is often prepared with vegetables such as a cassava or tomato, and served at lunch. The northern Senegalese city of Saint-Louis is believed be the birthplace of the dish.
READ: Tourism: Why food and Popular Dishes from West Africa are Getting Global attention
The city, whose old centre is itself a UNESCO World Heritage site, borders the Atlantic Ocean and hosts a thriving fishing community.
“The recipe and techniques are traditionally passed down from mother to daughter,” UNESCO stated, adding that the dish is traditionally eaten with hands.
Thiebou dieune — also spelled ‘Ceebu jen’ in Wolof — joins other culinary favourites such as Italian pizza and Moroccan couscous on the UNESCO list.
