Borno State Government has intensified efforts to preserve the state’s rich cultural heritage by training women and young girls in the preparation of traditional Kanuri dishes, as part of a broader initiative to revive indigenous culinary practices.
The two-day training programme, organised by the Office of the Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Culture and Regional Integration, was held at Mohammed Wakil Memorial School in Maiduguri. It brought together government officials, traditional rulers, women’s groups, Islamic scholars, academics and cultural stakeholders committed to safeguarding Borno’s cultural identity.
Representing the Waziri of Borno, the District Head of Mbalala, Mala Dawami, expressed concern over the gradual disappearance of traditional food knowledge among younger generations.
He observed that many young people are now more familiar with modern meals such as rice and beans than with the indigenous dishes that once defined Kanuri households.
According to him, traditional cuisine is a vital aspect of cultural identity and family values, urging young women and girls to embrace the opportunity to learn and preserve their ancestral recipes.
Chairman of the occasion and Senior Special Adviser to Governor Babagana Umara Zulum on Culture and Regional Integration, Dr. Zanna Hassan Boguma, said the initiative was designed to equip young women, especially graduates of secondary and tertiary institutions, with practical knowledge of Kanuri culinary traditions.
He explained that Governor Zulum’s administration is committed to preserving the state’s cultural heritage by ensuring that indigenous knowledge is transferred from one generation to another.
Dr. Boguma stressed that preserving traditional cuisine should go hand in hand with protecting indigenous languages and other cultural practices.
He encouraged participants to master traditional cooking methods and pass the knowledge to younger family members, describing culinary skills as an essential part of preparing future generations for family and community life.
The adviser also revealed plans to document the knowledge shared during the training with the support of professors and cultural experts to ensure that the information is preserved for future generations.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Borno State Civil Service Commission, Dr. Bulama Mali Gubio, described the programme as an important cultural preservation initiative rather than simply a cooking exercise.
He noted that Kanuri cuisine reflects the people’s customs, values and identity, including respect for elders, traditional attire, indigenous language and other long-standing cultural practices.
According to him, preserving traditional meals also means protecting the broader cultural values that define the Kanuri people.
An elder statesman and cultural advocate, Alhaji Mohammed Adam, warned that although Borno’s cultural heritage has endured for centuries, many of its traditions are gradually fading.
He expressed particular concern over the declining use of the Kanuri language and urged families to continue speaking it at home and within their communities.
The Ya Mogoram of Borno, Hajja Bawa Abubakar Garbai, praised the organisers for initiating the programme and encouraged participants to apply the skills they acquired by teaching family members and helping sustain the state’s culinary traditions.
Other stakeholders, including a representative of the Commissioner for Information, urged participants to embrace their cultural heritage and take the training seriously.
Adding an academic dimension to the programme, Professor Mohammed Waziri of the University of Maiduguri presented a book documenting various Kanuri culinary traditions.
Written in English, the publication is expected to broaden access to indigenous food knowledge while supporting further research and documentation of Borno’s culinary heritage.
The event also featured colourful cultural performances by Kanuri troupes, who entertained guests with traditional dances and drama portraying indigenous food preparation, customs and the Kanuri way of life.
The performances highlighted the close relationship between food, language, music, dance and the cultural values that have shaped Borno society for generations.
Organisers said the initiative is aimed not only at reviving traditional recipes but also at preserving the history, identity and cultural values of the people of Borno by ensuring that indigenous knowledge is handed down to future generations.
