Adesiya - A Meal Battling Hunger Alone During War
moatinoon
The meal known as Bilila has shown unparalleled resilience as it battles hunger alone during the war, with all varieties of Sudanese cuisine disappearing. The familiar dishes, like Ful and its legitimate child, Bush, have vanished from restaurants and food stalls in the neighborhoods, which have closed their doors due to the ongoing fighting that has plagued the capital city of Khartoum since April of last year.
Bilila, known as Adesiya in the heart of Sudan, has become the go-to meal for the majority of residents currently in Khartoum. It has become a fundamental element of their daily sustenance, particularly for breakfast. Some even rely on it for dinner after the majority canceled lunch due to the state of emergency and the severe shortage of essential goods brought about by the war.
Whats peculiar about Adesiya is that this popular meal is distributed for free without any monetary exchange within the neighborhoods and residential areas. Young volunteers take charge of its preparation, cooking, and distribution to the citizens who reserve their portions in containers like Basitla and Jaradil, all neatly arranged in a queue based on the chronological order. Individuals are allocated a specific amount of Adesiya, and it is strictly prohibited to provide it to two members of the same family.
Adesiya has become a staple meal in Khartoums neighborhoods, especially in the East Nile region, where one square can have more than three distribution points. For example, Square 20 serves small families, and Square 2 serves even smaller ones. These distribution points are manned by active youths, some seniors, and women who have officially adopted it as their breakfast, replacing Ful which used to dominate the morning meal before the war.
Uncle Al-Ser says, We have no food other than Adesiya; it has become our sole source of sustenance after the disappearance of other commodities such as flour, rice, vegetables, and meat, coupled with financial hardship due to the war. He adds, Bless these young people who prepare Adesiya for the people every day. Without them, we wouldnt know what to do. Thank God for everything.
Mohammed, known as Abu Tawila, who also prepares and distributes Adesiya, states, I used to sell Ful in my shop here, but the thieves stole the beans, so I turned to distributing Adesiya for free to the citizens and neighbors in this square. Abu Tawila points out that there are generous individuals who donate sacks of Adesiya without revealing their names. When asked about the source of funding, he diplomatically replies, Leave it to God. This response indicates their unwillingness to disclose the identities of those seeking reward and compensation.
Adesiya or Bilila, as it battles hunger alone during the current war, is an exceptional meal that consistently shines, especially during the holy month of Ramadan. Whenever fasting time arrives, it is accompanied by great anticipation and care. It can be prepared in two ways: the first with onions, oil, and fenugreek, while some prefer the second method, which mixes it with sugar. In both cases, doctors and Sudanese people consider it to have high nutritional value and a primary source of increasing blood levels in the body.
