The Cookbook of Forgotten Characters

 

By Olumide Labulo

African literature is a treasure trove of unforgettable stories that are more than words on a page: they are living, breathing entities that shape memory, identity, and culture. They are unique, imaginative, and symbolic through characters who sometimes slip through the cracks, and their voices are almost forgotten. So, today, I thought of blending African magical recipes with storytelling in a way that honors the rich tapestry of African fiction and resurrects a literary figure, probably one you may never have considered important. 

1. Harare citrus-perfumed rice and roast chicken

Sunja, from Tendai Huchu’s ''The Hairdresser of Harare'', is a character whose life undergoes quiet transformation. She moves through the streets of Harare, observing the subtle shifts in her city and the lives of those around her. She is not the loudest voice in the story, nor the most obvious hero, but she embodies resilience, adaptability, and the understated power of presence. Her life is shaped by small acts of courage, the secret connections she nurtures, and the beauty she brings to mundane moments, whether in relationships, community, or personal growth.

Her signature dish, Harare citrus-perfumed rice and roast chicken, mirrors this subtle brilliance. The bright citrus of Harare oranges represents optimism, freshness, and the small joys she cultivates in everyday life. The lightly spiced chicken reflects the complexity of her relationships and the gentle strength she carries. The jasmine-like rice symbolizes the soft, fragrant undercurrent of her character-- the quiet wisdom, the patience, and the adaptability that let her thrive amid change. Eating this dish is a sensory metaphor for Sunja herself: it awakens warmth, connection, and the feeling that even overlooked lives can carry immense depth and beauty. Each bite reminds you of the unassuming heroes in African fiction, whose quiet influence shapes communities and narratives in ways that are easy to miss but impossible to forget once noticed.

2. Orïsha coconut-fire rice

Zélie, the fiery protagonist of Tomi Adeyemi’s ''Children of Blood and Bone''. Zélie is a diviner, born into a world where magic has been violently stripped from her people by oppressive rulers. Her journey is one of rebellion, resilience, and reconnection with ancestral power. She carries not only her own fears and doubts but also the hopes of a silenced community. Hence, this dish embodies the struggle, courage, and rediscovery of magic she experienced. The dish mirrors her story in every ingredient. The coconut milk represents the nurturing essence of tradition--soft, sustaining, and ancestral. The smoky peppers capture the fire of rebellion and the danger Zélie faces as she defies tyrants. The charred vegetables reflect the trials and devastation of a land under oppression, yet they also hold the promise of renewal and growth once the flames settle. Cooking the dish requires careful balance, just as Zélie must balance her rage, fear, and the responsibility of restoring magic.

Eating Orïsha Coconut-Fire Rice is like tasting Zélie’s courage on the tongue: a fiery, comforting, and transformative experience. Each bite reconnects one with the spirit of Orïsha, the ancestral power that refuses to be erased, and the magic that lies dormant in those brave enough to reclaim it. 

3. Riverbank fish and yam pottage

Benjamin is one of four brothers in a Nigerian town by a river. After a prophecy made by a madman brings fear, suspicion, and rivalry, his life becomes entangled with fate and tragedy. The river is both a place of play and a source of spiritual danger. Chigozie Obioma’s ''The Fishermen'' shows us how fresh river fish, mashed yams, palm cream, wilted greens, and a hint of pepper recreate his story on the plate. Each bite conjures the innocence of childhood, the tension of prophecy, and the gentle pull of rivers that witness tragedy and joy alike.

 4. Jollof rice and cornbread blend

Ifemelu from ''Americanah'' moves from Nigeria to the United States and grapples with identity, race, home, and belonging. She simultaneously carries her Nigerian self and her American self, writing a blog, navigating love, and reconciling her two worlds in equal measure, and this dish reflects that duality. The vibrant jollof rice, with tomatoes, peppers, and onions, represents her Nigerian roots, while the buttery cornbread symbolizes the new life she builds in America. Eating this meal is a delicate balancing act of flavor and identity, evoking feelings of nostalgia, hope, and the sometimes hilarious challenge of merging two worlds in one bite.

5. Paradise sadza and greens

In NoViolet Bulawayo’s ''We Need New Names'', we see Darling,  a young Zimbabwean girl who grows up in a shantytown called Paradise and later emigrates to America. She struggles with alienation, childhood memory, and the pressure to assimilate while remembering where she came from. Her story is bittersweet, and her dish captures it perfectly. White cornmeal forms the solid base of sadza, indigenous greens carry the traditions of home, peanut butter adds warmth, and dried chilies remind you of exile and displacement. Eating it is like stepping into the dusty streets of Paradise, tasting the pain and comfort of a childhood left behind.

 6. Castle-spiced palm rice

Effia from Yaa Gyasi’s ''Homegoing'' carries centuries of lineage, colonial history, and survival. She is one of the twin halves of a lineage in Ghana: her descendants remain in Ghana, while her sister’s go to America. Her line carries trauma, colonial legacy, and the weight of generations. Hence, rice cooked in red palm oil, spiced with ginger and alligator pepper, and folded with roasted peanuts evokes her heritage. Eating this dish is almost ceremonial, a way to feel ancestral echoes, the weight of history, and the resilience of families who endured centuries of upheaval. Every mouthful is a reminder of the enduring strength of African characters in literature.

7. Drift-Crossing Maize & Groundnut Stew

Nala from Namwali Serpell’s ''The Old Drift'' is deeply connected to her Zambian homeland, and her story spans generations and landscapes, weaving together colonial legacy, science, and family history. Maize, groundnuts, tomatoes, onions, wild spinach, and peanut butter combine to evoke her story. Cooking this stew is like stirring memory and transformation into a single, nourishing dish. Eating it reminds you of the slow currents of history and migration, the collision of past and future, and the enduring power of African storytelling. 

8. Biafran palm stew of memory

This hearty stew of palm oil, bitterleaf, smoked fish, yam cubes, crayfish powder, and egusi embodies the resilience and loyalty of Ugwu from Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s ''Half of a Yellow Sun''. Ugwu is a houseboy in a Biafran household whose life is dramatically transformed by the Nigerian Civil War. He witnesses both kindness and brutality, and his innocence and loyalty are tested by conflict, loss, and the burden of bearing witness to history. Every bite of the stew evokes the weight of memory, the bitterness of war, and the steadfastness of those who quietly witness history. Palm oil glows like dawn over Biafra, while bitterleaf reminds you that survival often tastes of sacrifice.

The magic of this cookbook lies in its ability to make readers taste the untold stories of contemporary African novels. Each recipe is more than food; it is a portal into the lives, struggles, and joys of African characters. By blending these magical recipes, symbolic food, and storytelling, this cookbook reminds us that literature, memory, and culture are flavors we can savor together.