My Grandmother’s Ekpang Nkukwo, in Nigeria

The delicious scented aroma of ekpang nkukwo cooked by my grandmother fills my memory as I ponder my childhood. For generations, our family has prepared this Akwa Ibom traditional Nigerian dish, and it sends my taste buds straight to her cozy kitchen whenever I eat it.

Through its preparation, ekpang nkukwo becomes a cultural gift that creates family moments. The traditional ekpang nkukwo dish incorporates cocoyam leaf-wrapped water yam and cocoyam gratin with different meats and spices for boiling preparation. It took my grandmother many hours to make the dish because she prioritized the perfect balancing of ingredients. This cooking technique required extensive love, as people prepared it only for important events such as traditional weddings and celebrations.

The smells of ekpang nkukwo in my childhood home taught me to appreciate cultural inheritance while maintaining traditional food recipes. The experience has deepened my admiration for ancestral cookery traditions, which now drives me to communicate these culinary histories with society. I connect with my history and the culinary love of my grandmother whenever I prepare ekpang nkukwo.

Akwa Ibom residents enjoy additional mouthwatering meals besides ekpang nkukwo. There are so many traditional delicacies you can enjoy during your visit to my very own dear state! Be sure to have a taste of edikang ikong, a substantial vegetable soup that features various meats, snails, fish, prawns, and other seafoods with leafy greens. You should also try the traditional, legendary, and indigenous afang soup, vibrant and beautiful green afang leaves together with various types of assorted meat, dried catfish, stock fish, snails, periwinkle, and red palm oil to boost its presentation.

Oh, my grandmother knew how to get me into visiting her home more during the holidays. Another traditional legendary delicacy you should try out also is afia efere ebot, a traditional scented Akwa Ibom dish that is made from yam and other traditional spices with goat meat.  It is known as “pounded yam” when described in English alongside various other traditional meals.

Akwa Ibom is a place to visit, should you plan to go to Akwa Ibom state in South-South Nigeria. If you go, get ready to explore these mouthwatering traditional delicacies and many more fun activities that you will never forget. You may be wondering if Akwa Ibom is a traditional place–I can assure you that this is a region bounded by traditional beliefs and family bonds. You’ll sure enjoy your stay here as it is a land of welcoming.

Wondering if there are facilities you like so you can burn off some calories after enjoying extra delicious traditional meals? Healthy physical activity becomes essential immediately after eating such rich food, and several options exist to stay active throughout Akwa Ibom state. There are gym facilities scattered throughout the state, like the Metroflex Gym, Ultrafit, GymHouse, and many more. You can golf at the Ibom golf course, where you will find stunning landscape views. Explore the Akwa Ibom National Park by taking a walk through its abundant forested areas. Visit the State Museum in Uyo, the capital city, and enjoy the greenery and quiet ambiance while enjoying the chirping of birds.

You can find suitable, affordable, well-furnished, and luxurious places to stay in Akwa Ibom state too, in places like the Le Meridien Ibom Hotels and Golf Resort, Rushmore Hotel, Ibeno Beach apartments, De Castle, and more. There are convenient apartments treating you to a home away from home.

In conclusion, as a person born and raised in Akwa Ibom state and who also knows this region so well, I can say that the preparation of ekpang nkukwo creates a culinary experience that links our people to their traditions and serves as a pathway to immerse individuals within their ancestral heritage through its rich cultural history. You can bring joy to your senses by preparing this recipe which will also create lasting memories whether you live in Akwa Ibom or not.

Ready to explore the flavors of Akwa Ibom state, Nigeria? Try the cherished traditional dish ekpang nkukwo through my grandmother’s family recipe, and learn about other regional traditional foods that transformed my existence while exploring additional attractions of West Africa.