/ˈɛ.ba/
Definition:
In Nigerian Pidgin, EBA refers to a staple food made by mixing Garri (cassava flakes) with hot water to form a dough. It is typically eaten with a variety of soups such as Egusi, Okra, or Ogbono, and is swallowed rather than chewed.
Hear how native speakers pronounce EBA in the video below.
Usage Examples:
- Informal: “Abeg, make you prepare EBA with egusi soup today!” (Please prepare EBA with Egusi soup today!)
- Formal: “EBA provides carbohydrates and pairs well with protein-rich soups.”
- Idiomatic: “If EBA no dey, na hungry go kill person!” (Eba is essential for satisfaction)
Cultural Context:
Origin:
The word “EBA” originates from the Yoruba-speaking regions of Nigeria. It stems from traditional food practices involving the transformation of cassava into garri, which is then used to make EBA. As cassava spread across West Africa, the practice of making EBA became widespread, especially among the Yoruba people who innovated many techniques around cassava processing.
EBA became a cultural staple due to its affordability, simplicity, and ability to be combined with a wide variety of flavorful local soups. Over time, the word was adopted into Nigerian Pidgin and widely used across ethnic groups, regardless of their primary language.
Regional Usage:
EBA is predominantly consumed in Nigeria, especially in the South-West, among the Yoruba people. However, its popularity spans across the entire country. In the South-East and South-South regions, EBA is also popular but sometimes substituted with fufu or starch. In the North, though less common traditionally, it is increasingly consumed due to internal migration and food culture integration.
EBA has also gained recognition in other West African countries like Ghana and Benin, though it may go by different names. In urban centers and diasporic Nigerian communities globally, EBA remains a strong cultural identifier.
Use the word EBA to make a sentence in Pidgin! Drop your best line in the comments: “Na EBA we dey chop for house today!” “EBA with Ogbono soup na correct combo!” What soup you dey chop your EBA with?