Arroz (rice)

Rice is the main food source for most of the world.  We have seen a lot of it grown here and I wanted to show the whole process of planting it and getting it to the table  These women were in a hut next to a place we visited today.  I asked if I could take some pictures and Toby helped me with my questions.  I explained that in the United States, I bought my rice at a store and didn't pilar it.  They were surprised by that.  People are very open to pictures and talks.  I am sure they laugh sometimes at my face when I am trying to figure things out, but they are happy to explain the African culture to me in all instances.  So here is your tutorial on rice.

This is rice planted in the fields.  You plant once, then thin it and plant again.
There is one crop per year and it almost takes a year to grow.

After the rice is picked, you dry it with the husk on  You see this
everywhere in people's yard.

Next you pilar it.  It breaks the husk off.  Most people do their own, but
some people send it out to be done.  There is a movement
with the arms and backs that I can't get right.  These ladies just laughed
and laughed when I tried it.

This is after the first round of pilaring to breaks down the husk.  You can see
that about half the rice is done  They will pound it a second time now.

After the second pounding, the rice is put in this flat basket to release all the
dirt and husks.  The process reminds me of panning for gold.

Here is the finished product; rice ready for dinner!