Braai
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The word braaivleis (pronounced "bry-flays") is Afrikaans for "roasted meat".
The word braai (pronounced "bry", rhyming with the word "cry") is Afrikaans for "barbecue" or "roast" and is a social custom in South Africa. It originated with the Afrikaner people, but since has been adopted by South Africans of many ethnic backgrounds. The word vleis is Afrikaans for "meat", so in this word, the "s" is not a plural.
The word has been adopted by English-speaking South Africans and can be regarded as another word for barbecue, in that it serves as a verb when describing how food is cooked and a noun when describing the cooking equipment, such as a grill.
While wood formerly was the most widely-used braai fuel, the use of charcoal has increased[citation needed]. There has been a renewed interest in the use of wood after the South African government started with its invasive plant species removal program.
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[edit] The "Bring and Braai"
Similar to a potluck party, this is a grand social event (but still casual and laid-back) where family and friends converge on a picnic spot or someone's home (normally the garden or verandah) with their own meat, salad, or side dish in hand. Meats are the star of the South African braai. They typically include boerewors, sosaties or kebabs, marinated chicken, pork and lamb chops, steaks, sausages of different flavors and thickness, and when someone has really splurged, a rack or two of spareribs. Fish is also popular in coastal areas.
The other main part of the meal is pap (pronounced "pup", meaning porridge), or the krummelpap ("crumb porridge"), eaten with the meat. This dish is a staple of local African communities, and is traditionally eaten with a tomato and onion sauce or the more spicy chakalaka, at a braai.
Sometimes this activity is also known as a "chop 'n dop" ("dop" being Afrikaans slang for an alcoholic drink, literally meaning "cap" or "bottle top") when more drinking than eating is done. A "chop 'n dop" is normally followed by a severe babbelas (hangover) the next day!
[edit] Social Norms
A braai is a social occasion and often there are specific social norms. Women rarely braai meat. This is normally the preserve of men and they gather round the braai, or braaistand (the fire or grill) outdoors and cook the food, while women prepare the pap, salads, desserts, and vegetables for the meal in the kitchen. The meal is subsequently eaten outside by the fire/braai, since the activity is normally engaged in during the long summer months.
[edit] "Braai, the beloved country"
In recent years the humorous term "Braai, the beloved country" has come into use, as a reflection of the central position of the braai in South African culture. This is a pun, and refers to the Alan Paton novel (and subsequent films) Cry, the beloved country famous for its anti-apartheid message, as well as serious (Old Testament) Biblical themes of desperation and suffering (while still maintaining one's faith).[citation needed] The musical group, Die Menere, have written a song with the same name, singing about how a braai makes all depression go away.
This term is a reflection of new South African humour, that is characterised by bitterness and is self-deprecating and sometimes irreverent (and quite politically incorrect).
[edit] Use of the word Braaivleis
The book The Bang-Bang Club says that General Motors used the term in its localized slogan "Braaivleis, rugby, sunny skies, and Chevrolet" to sell cars of the brand in South Africa — rather different from "baseball, hot dogs, apple pie, and Chevrolet" in the USA.
[edit] National Braai Day
National Braai Day is an annual celebration that started in 2005, celebrating a part of South African culture on Heritage Day with a good old braai on the 24th of September every year. This event was initiated by the Mzansi Braai Institute in South Africa.
[edit] External links
- National Braaiday - South African National Braaiday celebrations on Heritage day.
- South African Braai Etiquette - Video showing a typical braai
