Technology and modernity are two factors that changes our world on daily basis. With technology, man deploys the use of inanimate objects to help him in his daily encounter with reality. With modernity, these technological materials are improved upon and the old ones are replaced with the new ones. The story also applied to the food and cuisine in Africa. However, the story is a little bit different for the traditional African grinding stone as seen in the picture below. The blender and milling machine has been invented by man, but they could not simply replace the grinding stone. I took my naughty phone and my fiancés to ask some people why the stone cannot be replaced. Here are my findings:
. The stone is used majorly to grind paper for stew and soup for special person. Because it takes time to grind, only special persons are given the privilege of its use. It’s a magical way of grinding with each moving strokes. Primitive technology I called it.
Stews and soups prepared from it are sweeter and the aroma is more compelling than those prepared by blender or grinding machines.
Most rich persons cannot afford it. Not because it is expensive to buy, but because it is expensive to use and maintain.
Those who know the value of its stews and soups still queue up behind line to buy it.
The grinding stone also symbolizes good motherhood. Here, it is believed that good mothers are the only ones who can use it and also teach their daughters how to us e
it. Praises are always showered on the mother of any child who can use it very well.
. The pepper is believed to be smoother than those from milling machines and from blenders.
Indeed when I tasted the meal prepared from it, I think I am having a change of mind towards its use.
INDEED, AT THE SIGHT OF THE MILLING STONE, BOTH THE RICH AND THE POOR SALIVATE FOR THE AROMA AND THE SWEETNESS OF THE MEAL THAT IS YET TO BE PREPARED.
