bakwerirama

Aunty Kate: The Cook, the Book, the Educator and Homemaker

By Gladys Ejomi Martin (Culled from Success Story Magazine # 011, July 2008)

Mrs. Kate Ebenye Idowu née Steane is known by family, friends, colleagues, pupils and in fact, everybody, as Aunty Kate.

 

She is one of the daughters of Charles Nako and Djara Steane, both of blessed memory,and is resident in Clerks Quarters, Buea, Fako Division. She was born in September 1919 in Victoria (now Limbe) and is still going strong at the ripe age of 89 years.

Traditional Bakweri Culinary Technology

Diagrams are culled from: Culled from Idowu, K.E. Auntie Kate’s Cookery Book (3rd Edition). London; McMillan, 1985. Comments courtesy of Dorothy Ewusi, Minneapolis, USA

Auntie Kate:Equacoco (Equan) ya Mosaka

Culled from Idowu, K.E. Auntie Kate’s Cookery Book (3rd Edition). London; McMillam, 1985.

Bakweri Party In Progress (Buea Jan 2004) (photograph courtesy of Mola Isaac Menyoli)

THE MBANDO

The Mbando was created by our ancestors a long time ago as a place where the villagers or designated elders could come to call unto "The gods" for guidance and support in times of crises such as: famine, war, diseases and unexplained deaths, and even in joyous occasions such as the "wesuwa"(wrestling), the "male"(elelphant dance) "the liwangi la fako (mountain race). It is generally located in a strategic area of the village, but does not neccessarily look like a shrine, thus one may pass by and not even notice.

In Buea Town For instance, the Mbando which serves its environs as well, is located at the "yombomba tree" (not sure of its name in English) in "Wonya-emongo", just south of the wrestling field.

This is a very simple explanation intended to create awareness regarding the significance of the Mbando. Mola Mbua Ndoko, should be able to fill in any gaps.

Ndaw'a Ngonja or Traditional "Mat House"

Click to enlarge the picture

This is the traditional Bakweri "mat house" or ndaw'a ngonja. We propose working on a project to photograph and film the process of building such a house from scratch, including collection of building materials. These days, most whakpe new construction consists of modern buildings with cement blocks and corrugated aluminium roofs. Construction of ndaw'a ngonja is now a dying art.

Auntie Kate: Cocoyam Koki 'Endeley Bread' (Equacoco a vekoo)

Culled from: Idowu, K.E. Auntie Kate’s Cookery Book (3rd Edition). London; McMillan, 1985
We ask readers to provide us with a short biography and picture of the renowned domestic science teacher and community leader, Mrs Kate Idowu (Auntie Kate). Future Auntie Kates are also invited to contribute recipes. Contact authors of the site.