In Ethiopia, the national dish is njeera, a round, flat, greyish, sponge rubbery or tripe looking bread made from
Tef, a staple cereal harvested from a grass that grows extensively through northern Ethiopia. In the markets you'll see huge mounds of it being sold. Quite a small seed, a few millimetres big in a flat circular shape, similar to sesame seed. Njeera is traditionally served on platters made of woven dried grass. Cheap, easy to replace, and biodegradable when thrown away. Different sizes for single serving, or sharing. Normally a group will be served one large platter about 60cm wide, with 6-8 different vegetable or meat dishes ladled onto the njeera itself. You break a piece off with your right hand, capture a little of the desired meal, roll it up and eat. The range of dishes can be all vegetarian or a mix. Enjoyable, tasty with a wide range of spicy or bland tastes.
And the best part is- no washing up. You ate the njeera dish! The woven serving platter is reused and eventually discarded.
Here's a wonderful photo of njeera platter artistry!
 |
| The artist explores many different complex geometric patterns and colour contrasts. |
 |
| The artist's store at Axum, Ethiopia. |
 |
| The artist proudly displays her creation. |
Her photo of blossoms in Korea is well worth the visit. And there's a lot of other interesting photos listed also. All great photos every Thursday.
.....................................................................................................................................................................
.
Travel Photo Thursday May 5th.
25 comments:
Wonderful photos :)
Wonderful colors and patterns! Love it!
These are stunning- I would love to watch her make them and take a few home, too! Great shots!
That first shot is wonderful and I adore Ethiopian food :)
Thought you'd like these photos, Muza-chan and Mike. Just fabulous colours and patterning.
Hey vagabond, she's for sale. She'd love to be taken home...Seriously, they are very decorative hanging on our wall.
Hi Robin, thanks and I'll get over to have a look at your photo also.
They are so beautiful, I wouldn't want to eat them. I would also love to watch her make them, fantastic photos!
Wait, I'm confused. You can eat those?!
Great photos...I love the colorful designs, they are so vibrant! Beautiful.
Colour is what strikes me when you post your pictures. Resplendent and catchy. Now I am so hungry for that dish.
Will this dish taste good with your Ethiopian Coffee?
Joy always,
Susan
Stunning shots Jim. The colors are amazing.
Thanks for joining Travel Photo Thursday!
Fantastic images and great information as always. Hope your going to be enjoying yourself Jim.
I will be away Sunday & Monday for a shoot.
Have a great weekend
Jim
Gorgeous colors and I love that the plates are so environmentally friendly as well.
wow these are beautiful. I would be afraid to put food on them though! The colors and the craftmanship are amazing.
This is so colourful! I love how creative they are. Great photos Jim.
Fantastic designs on these platters - and much more colourful then most I've seen in Africa. Hope you had room in your bags for a few of them. Love the top shot especially.
Great shots and interesting post! I had no idea about this. Thanks for sharing.
Amazing colours, and you can eat them too? I'm sold!
Hi AJ, those are the woven platters that njeera is served on. It is the njeera which is your dish- the flat circular bread has all your vegetable and meat meal served on it like a large dish. Don't try eating the serving platter unless you're extra hungry!
For the confused- I edited to help explain the platters you see are upon which the njeera is served. The njeera acts as your dish as all your different foods are spooned upon it then you eat the njeera and a little of each vegetables or meat.
Beautiful, Jim! Love the colors. What wonderful artistry!
Love the colors, contrast and captions. Way to go Jim !
Those are really beautiful works of art and your photography really captured them well!
I love the photos Jim! I am a color junkie and those platters are wonderful! Is there anyplace online to buy something like that? I am just amazed at native craftsmen. I saw some amazing baskets in Alaskan made by natives from local grasses...I always have regretted not buying one when I was there.
great post and love the photos!
~cath
Jim, that is so totally cool!
A nice change from the typical Asian markets and art... although I like the Asian designs. Just don't see as much patters like this.
The photos are magnificent! I especially love the top photo - it is so colorful and the patterns it makes are wonderful together. I've added a link from my blog to yours so I won't loose you again :D
http://www.mariscamera.blogspot.com/
Post a Comment