Humans of Africa: Mariette (Côte d'Ivoire)

Nomad
Jun 14, 2016
2 min read

Côte d'Ivoire

“Ivory Coast is fun! The environment and the people make it fun. Over there people are more people oriented, it’s easy to make friends, and people are more open and down to earth. ”

Mariette, Human of Africa

“What I love about Ivory Coast? Well it’s where I’m from! There’s a natural bond and connection you have to the country you’re from. Second, that’s where my family lives. Finally, Ivory Coast is fun! The

environment and the people make it fun. Over there, people are more people oriented, it’s easy to make friends, and people are more open and down to earth. People in Canada tend to live their lives in their corner.”

on food

“My favorite Ivorian dish is sauce graine avec foutu banane *– especially when my mom makes it! But of course I also love alloco, poisson/poulet braisé, attieké.**”

On music

“Ivorian music makes me feel Ivorian. Our music has always been a way to connect with other Ivorians.

The music is so distinct! When you hear it or listen to it, you feel Ivorian!”

On her business

“My mom used to have me help her in the kitchen, and I would help her make cakes. People liked it when I was the one baking the cakes – versus my mom. I was looking for work at some point and I didn’t want to just sit around and do nothing, so I decided to start the cake business to get some money.

Cake is a very popular Ivorian desert so I feel closer to home when I bake, I feel closer to Ivory Coast.”

Check out her Facebook page AJOA’s Cakes.

Mariette's famous upside down Pineapple cake

“The only way I can keep my culture going in Canada is by surrounding myself with Ivorians. Having them around is like home away from home.”

Mariette is now also considering ordering cocoa from Ivory Coast for her cakes, to support one of Ivory Coast’s market strength – cocoa production.

Translations:

(*) " sauce graine avec foutu banane" is a palm seed stew eaten with plantain fufu (mashed plantain);

(**) "alloco, poisson/poulet braisé, attieké" indicates fried plantain, grilled fish/chicken, fresh cassava couscous.

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About the author - Nomad, The Ndebele Sista

Nomad is a Sista Tweet blogger, co-creator, External Relations Manager and Strategic Thinker.

She's a lover of international cultures and foods and when she's not on Sista Tweet or growing her career at her day job, she's busy planning her next trip around the world.