In a bid to preserve indigenous culinary heritage, a group of 88 women from the Eastern Cape has compiled and published a 92-page traditional recipe book. The Eastern Cape Women Writers Association, founded by author Yondela Ngqokelela in 2022, aims to document generational knowledge before it is lost. The recipe book, titled "IiResiphi zokutya kwesiNtu," features traditional dishes such as isigwampa, umcuku, and umqa, with step-by-step instructions from elderly women.
The association, comprising women of all ages, brings together writers, crafters, and artists to keep African traditions alive. Members are involved in various creative activities, including writing poetry, storytelling, food crafts, and visual arts. Ngqokelela, a Ngqeleni-born author and baker, publishes her baking projects on the Facebook page Amampondo Bakers and has had two works of fiction published.
The idea for the traditional recipe book came about in 2024 when Ngqokelela craved isigwampa, a traditional dish made from milled mealie meal and green leafy vegetables. She realized that many elderly people possess valuable knowledge about traditional dishes, but some die with that wealth of knowledge. The book aims to preserve cultural identity, history, and the knowledge of mothers and grandmothers.
The recipe book features a variety of traditional dishes, including Isigwampa, Umxoxozi, Umcuku, Isonka Samazimba, Isophu, Umkhupha, Umqa, Isonka sombona omtsha, Udodorhoyi, and Iguluda. Contributors to the book include well-known publisher Nozuko Mbana, editor Nontuthuzelo Conjwa-Diya, and Prof Buyiswa Mini, who served as the editor-in-chief.
The book was published by Mbana Design Publishing House and launched at the first African Food Festival at the Mthatha Arts Centre Pop-Up Store at the Mall of Mthatha. The association continues to seek funding to support publishing, workshops, and exhibitions for women writers. Ngqokelela emphasizes the importance of documenting African recipes, which were previously passed down through storytelling and oral tradition.
The Eastern Cape Women Writers Association champions isiXhosa authors who face market challenges compared to English-language literature in South Africa. Ngqokelela hopes that the recipe book will serve as a reference for future generations and help keep African culture and history alive. The association's efforts aim to bridge generational divides by recording indigenous recipes and promoting African arts.
The association's work extends beyond the recipe book, as they strive to create awareness and address the stigma surrounding various issues. Ngqokelela is currently working on a non-fiction book and a documentary based on her HIV journey and personal experiences. The group's initiatives demonstrate the power of storytelling, literature, and the arts in preserving cultural heritage and promoting social change.
Key points
- The Eastern Cape Women Writers Association has published a 92-page traditional recipe book featuring dishes such as isigwampa, umcuku, and umqa.
- The group, founded by Yondela Ngqokelela in 2022, aims to document generational knowledge and preserve indigenous culinary heritage.
- The association continues to seek funding to support publishing, workshops, and exhibitions for women writers.
