The ukhova heritage banana (also known as ‘banana ka Shaka’) offers us a rare gourmet glimpse of the man behind the myth.
Main image: Lemogang Tsipa as King Shaka in Shaka iLembe, now streaming on Showmax. Left, top: James Saunders King’s sketch of King Shaka from the 1820s. Left, bottom: Okhova, aka banana ka Shaka Zulu heritage bananas. Rural KwaZulu-Natal is undoubtedly lovely beyond any singing of it, but admiration mutates into anxiety-tinged irritation when the directions sent by a family of banana farmers are confusing, and the absence of a cell signal precludes a clarifying call.
The TV contract has long since ended, but my interest in the great man’s fruit fixation has persisted. Why am I still interested? Because personal details on Shaka are extremely elusive. But wait, there’s more! isiZulu has many noun classes with distinct pronouns. Class 1a and 2a are used for people e.g. personal pronouns: Umama and Omama . Most plants use impersonal pronouns from class 3 and 4 , but bananas have human personal pronouns Ukhova and Okhova. They are part of people.On one level, his favourite food may reflect early experiences.
As the founding father of modern Zulu identity, was he linking himself with the creation story? Was he casting himself in the role of first man, making the world anew and generating all that would come after him? A series of half-connections through friends of friends of friends led me to these potholed hills and eventually to the Vundla family farm at Endloveni. Sipho Vundla seemed pleased but surprised by our interest in okhova. He knew the term ‘banana ka Shaka’ but not why the fruit was referred to in this way. Any associated prestige has long since expired.
The proof of any pudding is in the eating. For what it is worth, I prefer the taste and texture of okhova to that of Cavendish bananas. They can be eaten raw and cooked. Raw they are firm, fragrant and gently sweet without the cloying quality that puts me off the supermarket stock. Banana ka Shaka have yet to make a formal debut in the fine dining space. Chef Johannes Richter of the Living Room at Summerhill in KZN knew the fruit but not its royal connection.
Having been offered a tiny taste of the cumin-ukhova combination, I can confirm that it is exquisite and inspired.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Gluten-free health blueberry and banana muffinsGluten-free health muffins are the perfect solution for breakfast on-the-go, a quick snack, or a light dessert.
Read more »
American banana company Chiquita must pay R700m for funding Colombian terrorists, jury findsAmerican banana company Chiquita must pay R700m for funding Colombian terrorists, jury finds
Read more »
![Controversial Portrait Of King Charles Receives The ‘Activist Vandalism’ Treatment [Video]](https://i.headtopics.com/images/2024/6/12/2oceansvibe/controversial-portrait-of-king-charles-receives-th-controversial-portrait-of-king-charles-receives-th-EDD0E2F5F0D476367CA166FAA9BDF9C9.webp?w=640)
Controversial Portrait Of King Charles Receives The ‘Activist Vandalism’ Treatment [Video]South African and global news updates with a twist. 2oceansvibe is South Africa’s biggest solely owned online news platform with local and world news updates.
Read more »
Royal ruckus: Portrait of King Charles gets Wallace and Gromit makeover in farm cruelty protestRoyal ruckus: Portrait of King Charles gets Wallace and Gromit makeover in farm cruelty protest
Read more »
Proteas can be ‘king of the hill…’The Proteas will feel pretty good about themselves, even though they have delivered far from their best in the T20 World Cup so far.
Read more »
Bulls sharpshooter named URC’s kicking kingChris Smith won the Golden Boot award with 30 successful kicks and an accuracy of 90%.
Read more »