Traditional processing of cassava in Congo

D.R. Congo, Roots, Food preparation, Food from Plants

Image sequence of cassava’s long way from root to market and shows the processing of cassava in its various steps

Cassava growing in the village of Kilueka
Peeling harvested cassava
Retting of the tubers
Cleaning the tubers after retting
The cleaned tubers ready to be dried in the sun
Dried tubers being carried to the market at Lemfu
Sieving and draining the cassava flour softened by retting.
After pounding, the flour is packed for the first (partial) cooking
First partial cooking
Packets after the first cooking in preparing chikwangue
Chikwangue after the first cooking
Shaping chikwangue after preliminary cooking
Haumania liebrechtsiana (Nzomfi) is being grown around homes for packing chikwangue. Photo taken at Kilueka. Augustin Konda ku Mbuta on left.
Packing chikwangue in the leaves of Haumania liebrechtsiana (Nzomfi) which are then tied with fibres from oil palm leaf stems.
The leaves of Lasimorpha senegalensis (Kilodi) are also used. The plant grows in damp places
Packing chiwangues with the leaves of Lasimorpha senegalensis (Kilodi)
Chikwangues cooked and ready to eat
Extraction of fibre from the leaf stalks of oil palm for tying chikwangue
Cassava flour after being cleaned, crushed, pressed, and drained ready for sale in Kinshasa market
Cassava flour for the preparation of chikwangue being sold in town

Source

This article is an excerpt of Paul Latham’s and Augustin Konda ku Mbuta’s books ‘Useful plants of Kongo Central Province’, Vol 1 and Vol 2, which can be downloaded in English here or French there. All photos in this article © Paul Latham and Augustin Konda ku Mbuta

.

We appreciate your opinion

Avatar photo

Paul Latham; Augustin Konda ku Mbuta

United Kingdom; DR Congo

All author posts
Mentawai - Life in the Forests
The skills and tools described in this book were gathered firsthand from traditionally living families of the Mentawai people on Siberut Island, West Sumatra, Indonesia.
More
Hadzabe Survival Skills
The Hadzabe people thrive as some of the world's most resilient and resourceful communities in the heart of Tanzania, nestled between the vast savannahs and ancient woodlands.
More
content & images
Find Location
more articles about
Food from Plants
explore more content
Our Latest Articles
Jungle footwear for Southeast Asia, Part 3
As the topic of jungle footwear is quite an extensive one, it was split up… ...
Jungle footwear for Southeast Asia, Part 2
As the topic of jungle footwear is quite an extensive one, it was split up… ...