Criticism of African Meals Ignites Cultural Backlash on Social Media

A brand new video has thrown African delicacies into the middle of a cultural firestorm. The clip was shared by Rain Drops Media (@Raindropsmedia1) yesterday. It contains a lady cooking what seems to be a richly seasoned West African dish. The visuals present a stew brimming with rooster, peppers, onions, and seasoning. So, that’s presumably egusi or the same dish. Nevertheless, the audio sharply contrasts with the scene. A voiceover declares African meals “ain’t good.” Due to this fact, claiming it’s constructed from “necessity” moderately than culinary alternative and lacks spices or taste.

The consequence? A conflict of visuals versus commentary that has sparked an intense and multifaceted debate throughout social media. Because of this, the controversy is a well-liked subject on X.

Visuals Undermine the Criticism

Probably the most placing a part of the video isn’t the criticism. As a substitute, it’s the contradiction. The cook dinner is presumably related to the @learn_as_you_cook account based mostly on seen watermarks. She fastidiously prepares a colourful, advanced meal. She was utilizing a big selection of components: marinated and baked rooster, blended tomato-pepper base, fried onions, garlic, Maggi cubes, and boiled eggs. The dish is served with what seems to be fufu or pounded yam alongside rice. That’s a mix well-liked in Nigerian and Ghanaian households.

The irony was not misplaced on viewers. Many identified that the meals being cooked was clearly seasoned and vibrant. Due to this fact, immediately contradicting the voiceover’s declare that African meals is “bland,” has “no salt or pepper,” and is undesirable. Because of this, all of this helped gasoline the argument. That mentioned, everybody within the debate had a powerful opinion. Nevertheless, these opinions veered into the tradition, and never simply meals.

Deceptive Audio Fuels Controversy

Whereas the video went viral, many initially assumed the girl cooking was additionally the one talking. Nevertheless, additional analysis revealed it is a response-style video widespread on platforms like TikTok and X (previously Twitter). On this format, creators overlay controversial audio on their very own visuals to debunk or problem the message visually.

On this case, the cook dinner is utilizing the voiceover to problem stereotypes about African meals, to not help them. Sadly, the publish’s caption did little to make clear this, resulting in confusion and a flood of backlash aimed on the fallacious individual.

Historic and Cultural Context Issues

The criticism within the audio echoes a long-standing subject: the undervaluation of African cuisines on the worldwide stage. Regardless of the wealthy culinary heritage throughout Africa’s 54 international locations, dishes from the continent are sometimes absent from mainstream restaurant menus and underrepresented in world meals media.

Historian Jessica B. Harris, in her work Excessive on the Hog, outlines how African cooking traditions influenced world cuisines, from Southern American dishes to Caribbean staples like Jamaican jerk and rice and peas. These strategies, components, and taste profiles hint immediately again to African origins—a reality typically ignored in fashionable culinary conversations.

Students like Marianne Elisabeth Lien and Brigitte Nerlich have additionally famous in “The Politics of Meals” that colonial histories and media illustration form world meals preferences. The notion that African meals is merely utilitarian ignores the creativity, approach, and cultural storytelling embedded in conventional dishes like Nigerian jollof rice, Ethiopian injera with wat, and Senegalese thieboudienne.

Diaspora Divides and Misunderstandings

This publish additionally faucets right into a broader phenomenon often known as “diaspora wars” on social media, the place cultural tensions emerge between Black People, Africans, and Caribbeans. These debates typically revolve round problems with id, heritage, and authenticity.

Whereas the video highlights a critique of African meals, it unintentionally reinforces these divides. Some viewers echoed the voiceover’s sentiments, claiming they most well-liked Jamaican or Chinese language delicacies. Others pushed again forcefully. Due to this fact, asserting {that a} lack of entry or familiarity doesn’t equate to inferiority.

Viral Response on X

The publish rapidly amassed over 567,000 views, 2,500 likes, and lots of of quote tweets and replies. Feedback coated a large spectrum, from cultural schooling to humor:

• “Africa is a continent with 54 international locations. Saying ‘African meals’ is like saying ‘Asian meals’ — be particular and respectful.”
• “The irony—she’s cooking African meals with all of the seasoning on the planet. That stew seems superb.”
• “I attempted African meals as soon as, wasn’t for me. However I’d by no means say it’s dangerous. Simply completely different.”
• “The one motive you don’t see traces at African eating places is as a result of they’re not as widespread.”
• “Because of this unity within the diaspora is difficult. We maintain tearing one another down.”

The backlash additionally sparked academic responses, with customers linking recipes and meals documentaries, and even sharing their very own cooking movies to uplift African delicacies.

Culinary Innovation Born from Necessity and Creativity

The voiceover’s assertion that African meals stems from “necessity” ignores an important fact: lots of the world’s biggest cuisines emerged from resourcefulness. Soul meals, Mexican delicacies, and Southern Italian dishes have been all born from financial limitations—but they’re globally revered as we speak.

African cooks traditionally made magic from minimal components, creating stews, sauces, and preservation strategies that maximized taste. From the fermentation of injera to the intricate spice blends in Moroccan tagines, African culinary traditions mirror resilience, innovation, and deep cultural id.

Conclusion: A Teachable Second For All

This viral video, whereas divisive, presents a chance for cultural dialogue and schooling. Misrepresenting African delicacies or generalizing its high quality undermines centuries of culinary knowledge and the lived experiences of hundreds of thousands throughout the diaspora.

As extra individuals have interaction with African meals via content material creators, cookbooks, and cultural trade, outdated narratives may be challenged. Slightly than fueling division, moments like this may encourage appreciation, curiosity, and respect.

Whether or not you’re a fan of jollof rice, a newcomer to fufu, or interested by Ethiopian delicacies, one factor is evident: African meals deserves a seat on the world desk—and it doesn’t have to show its value to anybody.

Anybody who tuned into this thread most likely discovered greater than they anticipated to about race and tradition. In relation to all nationalities and ethnicities, there are a variety of misconceptions. These misconceptions are believed by these not of these cultures to be fact. Because of this, there’s a danger individuals run of being offensive. This thread captured all of this with only one video.