~ South Africa's Sacred Institution ~

Any clue what that is??

As Desmond Tutu once said: "We have 11 official languages but there is only ONE word for this wonderful institution; it is BRAAI!"



A standard Sunday afternoon activity... the air is filled with the smell of burned meat, smoke arising in between the trees while the laughter, beer can clinking and kids playing is heard all over South Africa. No matter if you live in suburbia or in the country. From dusty townships to glorious sporting stadiums. The braai has earned itself its own protocol, etiquette and lingo, adorned by eager meat-turning participants everywhere!

Braai is BIG here! And if you haven't figured it out yet by now what BRAAI is... just another word for BBQ in South Africa!!

They even have a National Braai Day (April 27) and you can buy braai packs in the supermarket, complete with a can of beer in it, a standard pack for just 1 guy! Yes... guy, because BRAAI is a men's thing! In SA you NEVER see a woman around the braai area. Unless you come to MY house... because I don't believe in those 'standardisations' and we are very emancipated about it!



It's funny though, I have lived in 6 countries so far, but NEVER I have seen this division at parties like here! Whenever we meet for drinks and food, immediately the men hang around the braai and the girls hang around the kitchen table... even at MY house!! Now I know you will see this more in other countries as well... but here it is a strict division!! Almost like a silent law! Too funny!!

So the guys tell the ladies on Sunday: "Honey, this is your day off, we are having a braai!"

YEAH ~ RIGHT!!

Let me tell you how it goes, and then you decide if we have a day off!

Braai-ing is the only type of cooking a 'real' men will do. When a man volunteers to do such cooking, the following chain of events is put into motion:

1. The woman goes to the store.
2. The woman fixes the salad, veggies and dessert. (Which most men don't eat, they just want meat!)
3. The woman places the meat for cooking on a tray.
4. The woman puts out the necessary cooking utensils.
5. The woman takes the meat to the man, who is lounging beside the grill, drinking a beer.
6. The man places the meat on the grill.
7. The woman goes inside to set the table and check the veggies.
8. The man takes the meat off the grill and hands it to the woman.
9. After eating, the woman clears the table and does the dishes.
10. The man asks the woman how she enjoyed 'her night off.'

And, upon seeing her annoyed reaction, concludes that there's just NO pleasing some women.
HAPPY BRAAI-ING!!

Do you braai/BBQ in your country?? And what are the rules, pretty much the same as here??
Have a fantastic day!
Mireille