Burundian cuisine facts for kids

Foods at a Burundian meal

Burundi is a country in East Africa. It has many mountains, grassy savannas, and farm fields. Forests grow near rivers and water. Agriculture is super important here, covering 80% of the country's land! Farmers grow crops like coffee, tea, corn, beans, and manioc.

Because of all this farming, Burundian food is a lot like other African foods. It uses many beans, which are a main food in Burundi. People also eat yummy exotic fruits (especially bananas), plantains, sweet potatoes, cassava, peas, maize, and cereals like corn and wheat.

Most Burundian families eat food they make at home. They often use homemade pots and dishes for cooking, drinking, and storing food. Sometimes, it can be hard for everyone in Burundi to get enough food.

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  Location of Burundi

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  Burundi landscape

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  Brochettes in Burundi

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  Bjumbura Burundi soldiers cooking in a sufuria over a fire

What People Eat in Burundi

Many Burundian dishes are soups. These soups are made with lots of different foods, spices, and herbs. Here are some common ingredients you'll find:

• Bananas
• Beans
• Cabbage
• Corn
• Plantains
• Sweet potatoes
• Goat meat
• Sheep meat
• Fish
• Onions
• Palm oil
• Pepper
• Salt

Popular Burundian Dishes

Bean soup is a common dish in Burundian cooking.

Here are some of the popular foods you might find in Burundi:

• Ugali— This is a thick porridge made from corn or cassava flour. It's a very common food in many parts of Africa.
• Curry— A dish made with spices, often served with meat or vegetables.
• Maharagwe— This is a tasty bean soup.
• Ibiharage— These are fried beans, often served as a side dish.
• Beans and bananas— A simple but filling meal combining two main foods.
• Matura and mahu— These are types of sausage.
• Boko boko harees— A dish made from wheat, meat, and spices, cooked until it's a smooth paste.