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I have to think hard to remember my first memory of eating ugali. I do know that after tasting it for the first time, it was difficult to understand why the dish was so popular. I understood it as an inexpensive way to fill a family's belly, but ugali it itself is tasteless. I observe my husband and his cravings like a pregnant woman for ugali, eggs and sour milk.
I often watch him attack that combination like it is the last supper. So, I have pretty much steered clear of all things ugali, despite its appearance nearly every night at my home as it is clearly the preferred dish of my housekeeper.
I do not know how she can eat it every day, but I do see the impact of her eating it every day has changed her body shape.
During a two-week workshop in Mombasa, the catered meals of coconut beans and rice started getting a bit monotonous for me. Then one day, ugali magically appeared on the buffet. I was actually happy and desperate to taste something different. I placed a spoonful on my plate and added a fish sauce that was particularly yummy that day. I had to admit the combination was awesome.
I found myself going for seconds. My fellow trainers looked at me with a smile. I thought they were taking delight at my cultural culinary open attitude, but I would soon learn they were smiling for other reasons.
After lunch, there was still an afternoon session we had to finish. After my two helpings of ugali, I was not thinking of the fundamentals of music theory. I was thinking of the fundamentals of a long afternoon nap! I made my way back to the main hall and fell heavily into my seat. My eyelids felt like they were weighed down with bricks.
I played a mental tug of war to stay awake, but I was losing fast. Now I know why my colleagues were smiling. I could not believe no one had warned me of the aftermaths of a ugali feast. How does any human being eat ugali in the afternoon without wanting to crawl into bed? I swore if I ever discovered ugali with a yummy sauce again, I would just save time and eat it in bed!
