1934 – 2016: On My Cookshelf/ A Short History of Nigerian Cookbooks

There is a certain depth of documentation that comes with Independence, allows records be collected and preserved for posterity. This Independence week, I’m showing ‘liberty’ and freedom in food :). 

I’ve always found cookbooks fascinating. I’m the sort of person whose bedtime reading is ingredient lists and recipe directions – a veritable feast as I lay my head down to sleep. Every year I resolve in January, on journeys and trips, in bookstores…not to buy another cookbook. And every single time, every damn time, I say ‘Sod it, you only live once – buy this book.’ It’s why I have a book on pasta and one on Turkish cuisine in which I discovered Loukma, syrup-soaked fried dough, similar in shape and pleasure index as Nigerian puff puff and every book in between from Austrian delights to Polish pastries, books on the Swahili kitchen and a host of others.

Of all the cookbooks I collect, I must confess Nigerian cookbooks – of which I have a few – are my absolute favourite. I like the courses I can chart through their pages – measurement systems, dating ‘Jollof Rice’, different snacks and dishes which aren’t popular enough to be well known. 

One thing is clear – there are a couple of books that were built on solid research principles, books that are excellent manuals and references, books I wish could be republished and reprinted for libraries and students and home cooks for this is our history, this is our heritage. 

I actively search for Nigerian cook books and buy them when I do find. I’m currently expecting an original copy of the Ibo Cookery Book, published in 1937, purchased online – from .

Here’s a bit about my collection, starting with the ‘earliest’ published cookbook.

1934/ The Kudeti Book of Yoruba Cookery by J.A. Mars and E. M. Tooley

One of the earliest Nigerian cookbooks – The Kudeti book of Yoruba Cookery predates ‘Nigerian Independence’ as we know it. Published in 1934, and revised twice, it is a relic of times past and times present, where measurement by volume is still in force. There is a recipe for Jollof Rice though I’m not sure if its the revisions which have brought it in or if it was there from the very beginning.

Can be found at:

CSS Bookstore/ Bookshop House, Lagos

Bookshop House 50/52, Broad Street, Lagos Nigeria

Mail to:info@cssbookshopslimited.com

Phone: +234 462 2593

GSM: 08159490163

_DSC0115

1937/ Ibo Cookery Book by G Plummer

I just found a copy – hopefully, I’ll update this post once it arrives. Fingers crossed!

1957/ Miss Williams’ Cookery Book by Miss Williams

This book published by Longman’s and written by Lagos-born Omosunlola Williams, it appears to be the first comprehensive body of work on Nigerian cuisine. With over 200 hundred recipes, it is an important work of art and culture. Interestingly, it has a recipe for Jollof Rice with three methods – proof that Nigeria’s romance with Jollof is pre-Independence/ 1960, whether that is of any significance. I love it for the wonderful well-written and fascinating recipes from every region in Nigeria. One of my faves.

Available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Miss-Williams-Cookery-Book-Rhoda/dp/0582608325

_DSC0116

1964/ The Students Cookery Book by Enid O’Reilly-Wright

This book taught me many a dish – pancakes and trifles too. The popular Home Economics text in Nigerian, and possibly West African secondary schools, it  served a good purpose to introduce me to the Western palate beyond Television back in the 80s.

_DSC0122

1982/ Nigerian Cookbook by Miriam Isoun and H. O. Anthonio

First published by Macmillan, it is a comprehensive guide to not just Nigerian recipes but ingredients as well. One of my absolute favourites for the depth to which it goes to catalogue and share produce and dishes, including all the known names and methods. A real treasure.

 

Purchased at Quintessence: Park View Estate Entrance, Off Gerrard Road, Ikoyi and 69 Admiralty Way, Jack House, Lekki, Victoria Island

Tel: +234 (0) 8033275401
Email: info@quintessenceltd.com

But old editions available on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Nigerian-Cookbook-H-O-Anthonio/dp/0333326989

_DSC0120

1998/  My Cooking West African Cookbook by Dokpe Lillian Ogunsanya

This is one of the first cookbooks I bought while living in The Netherlands, when I was homesick in a weird way and used food, and cuisine to discover who I was and what was important to me. Written by a Nigerian in diaspora, it offers a different perspective of Nigerian cuisine with American units of measurements.  A really great book – I can imagine all the work it did as an ambassador of Nigerian cuisine.

Available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/My-Cooking-West-African-Cookbook/dp/0966273001

_DSC0123

1999/ South of the Sahara by Elizabeth Jackson

This is one of my all time favourite cookbooks by Elizabeth Jackson who spent her early years in Nigeria. It combines recipes with history and proverbs – I love! This was also the book in which I learnt a lot about ‘Imoyo‘ dishes, the import to Nigeria by the freed slaves. 

Available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/South-Sahara-Traditional-Cooking-Africa/dp/096552096X

_DSC0130

2007/ Rhapsody by Mabel Segun

Another one of my favourites books because there is both history and culture, heritage and etymology, proverbs and some banging recipes. 

Purchased at Quintessence, Park View Estate, Ikoyi Lagos
Park View Estate Entrance, Off Gerrard Road, Ikoyi  and 69 Admiralty Way, Jack House, Lekki, Victoria Island

Tel: +234 (0) 8033275401
Email: info@quintessenceltd.com

But might be available here, http://www.mabelsegun.com/Books_Adults.html
_DSC0131

2006/ 2008, African Pot (2 books) by Shmite Katung

A great collection of popular and lesser known recipes, some of which I haven’t come across in any books or sites. I have so many pages mentally dog-eared 🙂

Purchased at The Hub (now closed down) store at The Palms, Lekki - Lagos

_DSC0128

2008/  Granny’s Special Cookery Book by Virginia Akerele

This book shares both Nigerian and Brazilian recipes which is delightful. Virginia – in her 90s when this book was published – fulfilled her dream to share her culinary heritage with the world. And what a pleasure it is. 

Possibly available at Laterna: https://www.laternabooks.com/index3.php?v=13457&c=99

_DSC0132

Books on my wishlist

2009/ Contemporary Nigerian Cuisine by Funke Koleosho
2014/ All Nigerian Cookbook by Flo Madubike
2015/ The Ultimate Nigerian Cookbook by Chy Anegbu
2016/ Lose it Nigerian Cookbook by Ronke Edoho

What Nigerian cookbooks do you have?  

6 Comments

  1. This is an impressive collection. I would love to lay my hands on the ’34, ’37, and ’57 cookery books.

    I have questions and I think it could lead to a second article that’s a bit more scientific and illuminating:

    Along the years, are there any major changes in the cooking style? the use of spices and herbs? the ratio of carbs to protein? the variety of veggies grown and consumed? etc etc

    • Ha ha ha scientific and illuminating? Wawu – I’m not sure I have the aptitude for that ???. Thanks for your questions. The books are recipe books of varying lengths. They don’t focus on ‘dishes’ as such to enable food group comparisons/ transitions in time. Cooking styles, ingredients haven’t changed much – they remain a variety – from direct to indirect heating methods.

  2. This is an impressive collection. I would like to lay my hands on the ’34, ’37, and ’57 cookery books.

    I have questions and I think it could lead to a second article on this topic that could be a bit more scientific and illuminating:

    Along the years, are there any major changes in the cooking style? the use of spices and herbs? the ratio of carbs to protein? the variety of veggies grown and consumed? etc etc

  3. Love it!!!.I would definitely love to add some of these books to my collection. Do you have a link where all or some of these books can be purchased besides amazon. If not a link the name of the book store to purchase the books.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.