A Nigerian delicacy, known as akara has gained popularity in Brazil, where it is now celebrated annually at the Acarajé Festival. This dish, a bean-based deep-fried snack, was introduced to Brazil by enslaved West Africans, predominantly of Yoruba heritage, who were taken to South America centuries ago.
In Nigeria, Akara is a common meal, often paired with pap, bread, or custard, and sometimes filled with fish, eggs, or vegetables. It is typically fried in palm oil or vegetable oil.
According to TRT Afrika, in Brazil, the dish, called Acarajé, has evolved into a beloved street food, particularly in Bahia, where women known as Baianas prepare and sell it. After the abolition of slavery, Acarajé became an important source of income for descendants of enslaved Africans and a symbol of cultural heritage.
A recent Acarajé Festival held in Rio de Janeiro on 25 November showcased the dish’s enduring significance. Vendors shared the process of making Acarajé, which involves blending black-eyed peas with onions and frying the batter in palm oil, giving it a crispy texture and unique flavor.
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“The more you mix and blend it, the tastier it becomes,” TRT Afrika quoted a vendor, Joelice Cavalcante.
The event has drawn tourists worldwide, celebrating the cultural and historical legacy of this dish.
