Namibian cuisine facts for kids
Namibian cuisine is the delicious food and cooking styles found in Namibia, a country in southern Africa. The food here has been shaped by two main influences:
- The traditional cooking methods of Namibia's first people, like the Himba, Herero, and San groups.
- The cooking styles brought by settlers from countries like Germany, South Africa, and Britain during the time Namibia was a colony.
This mix of traditions makes Namibian food unique and exciting!
Traditional Namibian Food
Long ago, before European settlers arrived, the people of Namibia ate food they found in nature. They gathered many kinds of fruits, nuts, bulbs, leaves, and other parts of wild plants. They also hunted wild animals for meat.
About 2,000 years ago, some groups like the Khoisan started raising cattle. This meant they could also use milk products and had more meat available.
Some traditional foods you might find include:
- Vetkoek—This is a popular fried-dough bread, similar to a doughnut but usually not sweet.
- Oshikundu—A traditional drink made from fermented millet, which is a type of grain.
Settler Cooking Styles
In the 1800s, German colonists came to Namibia. Because of this, German cooking has had a big impact on the food eaten by many Namibians today, especially those of European descent.
One example of German-influenced food is Wiener schnitzel. This is a thin, breaded, and fried piece of meat, often pork or veal.
Namibian Beer and Brewing
Making beer has a long history in Namibia. Many of the local tribes used to brew their own beers using ingredients found nearby. For example, they made beers from sugar or honey.
When the Germans arrived, they brought their own German brewing traditions with them. At first, it was hard and expensive to bring beer all the way from Germany. So, breweries were built across the colony. However, after World War I and a time of economic difficulty, many of these breweries closed down.
Today, German-style lager beers are still very popular in Namibia. Brands like Tafel and Windhoek lagers are brewed in the country and enjoyed by people there, and some are even sent to other countries.
