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The authorship – and therefore origins – of jollof rice (called ceebu jën in Senegal according to the Wolof spelling) is the subject of a spicy debate between West African nations. In

particular, Senegalese, Nigerians and Ghanaians claim ownership. And each believes their recipe surpasses all others. In a bid to settle the issue we explored the subject in our book. In it

we point out the “Senegality” of this dish. The word jollof refers to an ancient kingdom that was a part of Senegal between the 12th and the 13th centuries. More broadly, we found that the

origin of the dish is linked to a particular period in history – the entrenchment of colonial rule in West Africa. Between 1860 and 1940 the French colonisers replaced existing food crops

with broken rice imported from Indochina. In time, broken rice came to be much more prized by the Senegalese than whole rice grain. This was followed by what we call le ceebu jën, un

patrimoine bien sénégalais – the genius of the natives, especially the Saint-Louisians who set about creating something completely new. Ceebu jën consists of rice and fish, accompanied by

vegetables and sometimes tomatoes. As it happens in history, when an art reaches a certain fame or notoriety, its paternity becomes an object of controversy. This is what has indeed happened

with jollof rice. COLONIAL LEGACY The first act of the settlers was to make all those disconnected from agricultural activities dependent on rice. This included the men and women who had

come to try to make their fortune in the markets of Saint-Louis, one of the gateways to the West and, for a good period, the capital of French West Africa. If we add teachers, various agents

of the administration and the military, we can better understand the pernicious process of rice promotion. Overflowing in urban centres, rice was consumed in practically all of the colony

of Senegal. The success of the rice promotion strategy resulted in the entrenchment of an economy that became increasingly dependent on crops preferred by the colonisers. To this day efforts

continue to be made to grow rice in Casamance and the Saint-Louis region. At the same time, the exploitation of the market garden areas of Niayes and Gandiol contributed to meeting the

population’s need for vegetables. Another intriguing part of the history of the dish is the myth that’s developed over centuries around the role of a Senegalese cook called Penda Mbaye who

is regularly attached to the name of rice with fish. Although no one disputes the connection between the dish and Penda Mbaye, serious information on her identity, on the place and time she

lived and on the conditions in which the dish was created is cruelly lacking. This is why we have stated in our book that she left history very quickly to take her place in legend. WHY THE

PASSION? To understand the importance of ceebu jën in the diet and imagination of the Senegalese, it would be wise to point out that its attractiveness can’t be reduced to its nutritional

value or its intrinsic delicacy. This culinary art is closely linked to a know-how and a way of life. Thus, the consumption of the dish is strongly linked to the ceremonial – the aesthetics

of the presentation and the service. The women of Saint Louis, a port city in the northern part of Senegal, are singularly credited with remarkable know-how in this area. Their finesse and

elegance is expressed in the way they dress, their speech and their gestures. All are put to good use so that the meal is a moment when they give pleasure by being pleased themselves. STAMP

OF APPROVAL At the end of 2021 Unesco included the Senegalese version of jollof rice – ceebu jën – on the intangible heritage of humanity list. This certification was recognition of the

know-how of the Senegalese of an integral part of an intangible heritage. The labelling should also have a positive impact on the economy, particularly tourism, agriculture, fishing and

catering. Or, as some would describe it, gastro-diplomacy. But to make the most of all these advantages, Senegal must pay more attention to its fishery resources and, above all, settle the

recurrent question of self-sufficiency in rice production for good, in order to put an end to the scandalous perversion of feeding on what is not produced. Senegal, whose reputation is based

more on its cultural influence and diplomacy, has every interest in capitalising on this trend. Thus, in addition to rice with fish, it will have to promote its broader gastronomic heritage

to make it an additional asset for the role it intends to play in the concert of nations. In this spirit, Senegal’s Food Technology Institute would be given a new lease of life. This public

establishment, created in 1963, was assigned the mission of research and development in food and nutrition. In its efforts to enhance the rich Senegalese heritage, the institute could set

itself the objective of promoting all the remarkable Senegalese consumables based on millet, cowpea, bissap, ditax and (monkey bread) bouye. And to take up this challenge Senegal would be

well advised to make use of all the proven expertise of researchers as well as economic players. _This article was written with the contribution of Alpha Amadou Sy, co-author of the book

Ceebu jën, un patrimoine bien Sénégalais._