Swahili · Food & Drink
ugali
Ugali (maize porridge)
Beginnernoun
Definition
The stiff maize porridge that is East Africa's true staple food.
Example
Ugali na sukuma wiki ni chakula cha kila siku.
Ugali with greens is an everyday meal.
Etymology
'Ugali' is derived from the Swahili verb 'galia', which refers to cooking or preparing food by boiling. The word has its roots in the diverse culinary traditions of the Bantu-speaking peoples of East Africa.
How & Where It’s Used
'Ugali' is a staple food and is used in both casual and formal settings. It is a foundational dish in Kenyan and Tanzanian cuisines and is commonly spoken about in both oral and written forms.