Street Food in Namibia Lecture

Introduction

• Welcome to Namibia, a diverse and dynamic country in Africa with roots dating back thousands of years.
• Vast landscape wider than Texas but with a population of only 2.5 million.
• Capital: Windhoek (meaning "Windy Corner") with a mix of cultures and languages including German.
• Today's mission: exploring street food in Namibia.

Street Food Exploration

• Open Market vs. Supermarket
  • Open markets with independent vendors thriving alongside supermarkets.
  • Supported by government, each vendor has an assigned space.
  • Watching Memory, a local vendor, buy fresh meat for her street food stall.

Foods Tasted

1. Buura Voice (Sausage)

   • Mixture of beef and mutton fat in a hot dog bun.
   • Topped with homemade salsa.

2. Pop and Tripe

   • Pop: Dense porridge made from mahangu or pearl millet.
   • Tripe: Cow stomach, which can be bitter and requires careful cooking.

3. Fat Cakes

   • Dough made from corn flour, fried until crispy on the outside and doughy inside.
   • Can be eaten plain, with sauce, or with meat.

4. Scrambled Eggs and Chicken Liver

   • Scrambled with veggies, turmeric, and spices.
   • Paired with macaroni, a common local side.

Influence of Colonialism

• Namibia's complex history of colonization by Germany and South Africa.
• Influence visible in infrastructure and culture, though with mixed reflections on the benefits.
• Colonial history impacts language (e.g., German influences).