17 grains & tubers with their Hausa names

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  • Post last modified:November 28, 2022

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African foods, health, and well-being are the focus of this blog and I would like to begin with a series of posts on the identification of common foods in the west African region of the continent with their names in English and our local languages.

The categories of posts will be fruits, vegetables, spices and grains, tubers, and nuts. 

I am sure the experience that led me to write on these topics is not unique to me. I still I remember all those feelings of denial, anger and disbelief when I first discovered the local name for black pepper.

I have done my best to make sure that all of these foods listed have been well researched to get their accurate information. But to err is human so, if I made a mistake please feel free to correct me in the comments below.

Here we go:

Hausa grains and their English names

Acca/acha in english

English Name: Fonio, white fonio, fonio millet, hungry rice,

Scientific Name: Digitaria Exilis

Hausa Name: Acca ( pronounced as Ach-cha)

There is much to write about this wonderful grain but I will try to just give a quick overview of its nutritional table.

Fonio is gluten-free which makes it ideal for those with gluten intolerance, high in nutraceuticals, minerals, vitamins, low in calories, high in carbohydrates, amino acids and proteins.  etc.

It is also easily absorbed in the stomach, has high fiber components, etc.

I believe everyone should try this grain at least once in their life because it is such a nutritional powerhouse. There are many delicious recipes you can try making with Fonio for starters or just for a change if you have been cooking it for a while.

You can also try substituting it for rice and other common staple food grains in your diet, fonio grounded to flour for baking, cooking it as a couscous etc.

You can try this nice selection of food bloggers crafting creative and easy recipes for breakfast, lunch/dinner, snack time, salads.

Masara in english

English Name: Corn (informal), Maize (formal)

Scientific Name: Zea Mays

Hausa Name: Masara

Maize is one of the most produced grains in the world and is especially popular in food manufacturing and pharmaceutical industries.

With regards to nutrition, Maize may be high in sugar and carbohydrates (carbs) and contains gluten.

It has many useful nutrients as published by mayo clinic such as vitamins (vit. B), High fiber which aids in digestion and can help when constipated.

It prevents hunger (just like Acca) by keeping you full for longer periods than other grains such as rice, minerals (zinc, magnesium, copper iron, manganese) a good source of antioxidants, etc.

Other benefits include improving eye health and improving gut health.

Rogo in englsih

English Name: Cassava, Manioc, Yuca

Scientific Name: Manihot Esculenta

Hausa Name: Rogo

Cassava is a root crop that originated in South America but became very popular in  Africa, Asia and the west Indies. 

Particularly in west Africa, cassava is quite an important crop because it is the main ingredient for preparing the popular Garri (like a rough cassava flour).

Cassava doesn’t have much nutritional value but it is high in carbohydrates and water content. Caution should also be exercised when consuming cassava.

Raw cassava should never be directly consumed as it contains dangerous compounds (naturally occurring toxic cyanogenic glycoside) that can lead to death or severe health problems.

Beets and sweet potatoes have a better nutritional profile and are safer than cassava

Note: Processing cassava significantly depletes its little nutritional value as reported on healthline so, boiling is the best method for retaining the most nutrients.

Makani in english

English Name: cocoyam, taro

Scientific Name: Colocasia esculenta

Hausa Name: Makani

Cocoyam is a root crop that originated in Asia and over time, became a stable food crop in many developing nations around the world.

The tuber crop has higher nutritional value in vitamins, fiber, and minerals than its cousins which are cassava and yam though it is also mostly comprised of carbohydrates.

It is a resource for potassium, fiber, magnesium, vitamin C, vitamin E, and antioxidants. The leaves are also used as food and in natural medicine.

English Name: Guinea corn, Sorghum, great millet

Scientific Name: Sorghum bicolour

Hausa Name: Daawa

Sorghum is a type of millet that has been cultivated for centuries that is home to Africa. It is currently the fifth most cultivated crop in the world due to its nutritive content, versatility, ease of cultivation etc.

It varies in size and color from red, brown, and purple to black. Many communities especially In Africa and Asia have guinea corn as a stable food.

Sorghum got the title of a superfood for its high protein, fiber, essential minerals, antioxidants, and vitamin B & E which is why it is often used for treating digestive issues, weight loss, low energy, malnutrition, bone weakness etc.

Moderation is key as they say and this is very fitting for the consumption of sorghum as some people with gastrointestinal issues may not find the grain to be suitable due to its high fiber content.

As we can see, guinea corn is not only for making pap as we normally use it, but is has many other ways it can benefit us and improve our health.

I encourage everyone to find recipes that incorporate this wonderful grain or if you are feeling creative, just make your own recipe and share it with us in the comments below.

Caution: Avoid the consumption of the immature plant as it can contain poisonous compounds.

Gero in english

English Name: Pearl millet

Scientific Name: Pennisetum glaucum

Hausa Name: Gero

There are various types of millet and the referred millet here is the grey-colored millet that is is very common in Africa called the pearl millet.

Often on other sites, they refer to this grain as just the millet which is not correct because millet is a family of grains and every specific millet has a specific name.

Pearl millet is well used especially in Africa in many different ways such as to make pap ( also known as koko, akamu, or ogiri) and other types of pap.

The Hausas utilize it to make fura and the Gambians/Senegalese use it for chakri where it is cooked and then taken with yoghurt etc.

Some have stereotyped this grain as “poor man food” just like Acca, which is unfortunate because they do not know what they are missing.

Pearl millet just like most millets has a high fiber and carbohydrate content, vitamins, protein, minerals, and beneficial antioxidants that are important in maintaining a healthy body.

ridi in englsih

English Name: Sesame, Beni seed, Benne

Scientific Name: Sesamum indicum

Hausa Name: Ridi

Sesame seeds come in a variety of black, brown/golden, and white sesame seeds. Oil-rich and tiny, these very old and useful seeds are utilized in many different ways such as foods (baking, cooking etc.), oil extraction, medicine, etc.

In Africa, it is mostly utilized as a snack or stew (soup), and the oil is often used for skin, hair, and as medicine.

Notable for its high nutritional profile, it is used to reduce inflammation, support bone health, balance hormones, regeneration of cells, anti-aging, etc

Goro in English

English Name: kolanut or cola nut

Scientific Name: cola nitida

Hausa Name: Goro

Kolanut is very popular in Nigeria particularly and other west-African countries for it is used in a variety of ways e.g. as a caffeine snack.

Each kola nut contains more caffeine than two cups of coffee.

Just a little caution though, chewing on a piece of kola nut stains teeth, can make a person dependent/addicted just like caffeine, and should be taken in moderation. One should not take more than half a kola nut in a day.

Alkama in english

English Name: common wheat

Scientific Name: Triticum aestivum

Hausa Name: Alkama

The popularity of wheat across the world as the second most harvested crop can be attributed to versatility.

Most of us buy wheat without knowing it because food companies are creative in transforming it from whole grain to finished products.

They include all-purpose flour, foods and snacks, food manufacturing (cereals, biscuits, semolina, couscous etc.),  pharmaceuticals etc. 

Wheat as is a whole grain is highly nutritive, but when over-processed, it can have little to no nutritive value. Hence it is better to buy whole meal wheat products when shopping.

Unfortunately, the use of whole wheat has declined in Africa and bleached flour has replaced wheat in many local recipes making our food less nutritive and our bodies less healthy.

Note: common wheat or just wheat as we know it is not the same as barley.

Aya in english

English Name: Tiger nut, chufa nuts, earth almonds

Scientific Name: Cyperus esculentus

Hausa Name: Aya

Not to be mistaken, tiger nuts are not actually a nut but a tuber crop that grows in wet soils and taste similar to almonds and pecans. Its named tiger nuts for its color and stripes resembling a tiger.

Tiger nuts are usually eaten in Africa as a snack just like kola nut.

It is prepared in different ways including making drinks, smoothies, baking etc.

Wake in english

English Name: Cowpea, black-eyed beans, Southern beans, crowder beans

Scientific Name: Vigna unguiculata

Hausa Name: wake

Black-eyed peas despite the name are actually beans that come in a variety of red, white, black, and brown colors and is a staple food in Nigeria and Africa at large.

It contains all the essential minerals and vitamins needed for proper body function. It can be used to rejuvenate and repair damaged skin, boosts hair health and growth, and does what many are not able to do which is – improving spleen function.

waken soya in english

English Name: soya bean

Scientific Name: Glycine max

Hausa Name: waken soya

Soya bean has a variety of colors and sizes are ancient legumes that are native to east asia but have become popular around the world especially in the form of tofu (Awara in hausa) , soya oil and soy milk.

Soybeans are usually eaten whole in asia and Africa while the European and northern American continents are more familiar with manufactured soy products.

These beans are low on saturated fat, high in protein (one of the best in plant proteins), fiber, iron, calcium, and has a good amount of phytoestrogens which are naturally occurring chemicals in plants that mimic the female estrogen in the body

gurjiya in english

English Name: Bambara groundnut, Bambara Nut, ground bean, hog peanut etc.

Scientific Name: vigna subterranea         

Hausa Name: Gujiya, Gurjiya, Kwaruru

Bambara nut is not a nut but a root crop just like groundnuts/peanuts that originates from west Africa.

As a cousin to groundnuts, it has similar applications and uses though it is not very popular in the society.

Due to its nutritional benefits, it has been termed as a “complete food” for it is high in carbohydrates, protein, and fat in that order.

It also contains fiber, iron, zinc magnesium and high levels of methionine that is used to prevent liver damage and the general growth and repair of body tissues.

Namijin Goro in english

English Name: Bitter Kola, Garcinia Kola, cola nut

Scientific Name: Garcinia kola

Hausa Name: Namijin Goro

Bitter kola is a sibling to the kola nut that is mostly found in the western and central African region.

True to its name, bitter kola is indeed bitter and for centuries, every part of the plant has been reported to be used in treating various ailments in African communities.

Bitter kola is well recognized as a stimulant just like kola nut and contains beneficial antioxidants. It is an antidiabetic, antibacterial, and antiviral powerhouse.

It was reported that it can help manage stress in the body by influencing some regulatory systems in the human body that are responsible for stress management as indicated by this study.

goron tula in english

English Name: Thespecia, Silky kola, African chewing gum, Snot Apple

Scientific Name: thespecia Garckeana, Azanza garckeana

Hausa Name: Goron Tula

Silky Kola fruit is often referred to as African chewing gum for its jelly-like and chewy texture. It is often taken as it is or added to soups and stews for a more complex taste.

It is sold in local markets e.g in Botswana, Tanzania, Kenya  Zambia, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe, etc. and grows in the wild/bush but they are sometimes cultivated domestically too.

A study indicated that the silky kola plant is used in herbal medicine for over 22 ailments as it is found to be an antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-fungal, anti-hyperglycemic and promotes good iron absorption, and contains essential minerals.

There wasn’t much reliable information on the internet about this nut that gained popularity for its multiple benefits and effectiveness for it is unknown to most of the world. I will do more research and update you later about it.

gyada in english

English Name: Groundnut, Peanut

Scientific Name: Arachis hupogaea

Hausa Name: Gyada

Peanut or groundnut as we know it in Africa is a very common and popular food around the world.

They are unrelated to nuts but are related to other legumes such as beans and Tigernuts.  Peanuts are used in a variety of ways i.e source of vegetable oil, butter, as a food and snack, flour, etc.

Groundnuts are packed with healthy fats, high-quality proteins, and high calories thus making it not ideal for those losing weight.  

In lesser quantities, they also contain minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants.

Conclusion

There you have it. 17 foods items with their brief nutrition profile. These are all available in the local markets as they are local produce.

Though some of them will need a little more effort to locate but once you identify a place you can buy it easily.

I hope you enjoyed reading If you would like any additional information or clarification, just comment in the comment section below and I will get back to you soon.

Don’t forget to subscribe to my blog so that you will get an email notification when I publish the rest of the series. Coming up is the vegetables of West Africa. 

Update: Here is a link to the article. Enjoy!

I hope to see you there.

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Hirtley

I absolutely believe that good food, good habits & lifestyle, and natural healing are the key to being healthy both mentally and physically.

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