From Africa to the Americas: Acarajé

One of Bahia's many baianas selling Brasil's famous street food: Acarajé

Acarajé

Is Brasil's most famous street food.
You can also find this deep-fried black eyed peas fritter on the streets of Lagos,Nigeria.
And in Jamaica the very same fritter is referred to by its proper Yoruba name: Akkra.

There is a story behind the reason why Northeastern Brasil's African descendents
call the fritter acarajé.

The street vendors used to sing a song to attract customers.
The song urged people to "come and eat acara."

The yoruba word for eat is: jé.

Eventually the fritter's name was corrupted
into the present: Acarajé.

Listen to: Fica No Brasil from the CD: "Tristeza e Beleza na Cidade Negra"