nsima
/ˈnsiːmɑː/
noun
Origin
Chewa
nsima — stiff porridge
Overview
Meaning Now
- A thick, dough-like porridge made from maize flour and water, serving as the staple food in Malawi and parts of Zambia.
Language path
Chewa/Nyanja
Earliest form
nsima
Earliest period
19th century
Journey
Nsima is the cornerstone of the Malawian diet. Its preparation is a significant domestic skill, involving the cooking of maize flour into a dense, smooth consistency. It is traditionally eaten by hand, shaped into small balls and dipped into savory side dishes called 'ndiwo'.
Evolution
- Pre-colonial
nsima
“staple porridge made from sorghum or millet”
Original grain source was primarily sorghum or finger millet.
- Post-19th century
nsima
“maize-based staple porridge”
Transitioned to maize as it became the primary crop in the region.
Connections
Related across languages
Shona
stiff porridge
Swahili
ugali
stiff porridge
Related words
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Related to nsima
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.