Of Port Harcourt, Bole, Fish and Burna Boy
“I nor dey stay too far form Liberation Stadium
And I dey chop Bole and Fish and Yam.”
These lines, which are part of the lyrics From Burna Boy’s PH City Vibrations is the inspiration for our zeroing in on the event coming up in PHC tomorrow.
He sings of hanging out in PHC and we imagine that some of the inspiration for what he is today would have come from those Bole eating days so let me take you on a journey to Bole the famous meal every tourist in PHC is advised to savor.
For some working mums, like mine, Bole has kept some hungry mouths quiet on those school run days in Elekahia area of PH. I remember my first taste six years ago like it was yesterday. Mother was driving me home from school. She decided to take a detour to see her friend Ms. Ama in Elekahia. She left me in the car, tired, bored and hungry. A home-cooked meal was not going to cut it this time, I was done with rice and spaghetti rotation.
On the drive back home, I spotted the Bole vendors and brought it to my mother’s attention. She quickly reminded me, “But you hate fish!” Hoping that would distract me, but the hunger was too bad and I kept whining. She finally caved in and bought it. And I devoured it like a hungry lion, hate fish, love fish—it was delicious, some writers believe that Bole is a hybrid of the western name Boli, which means roasted plantain.
The city of Port Harcourt is, generally regarded as the capital of Bole and fish, as vendors are literally in every corner with piles of Bole and fish to tantalize hungry passers-by. It was originally built in 1912 to export coal, however, it quickly transformed into a vibrant city, rich in culture and people, with a genuine love for life. However, with good living comes good eating, hence the people took advantage of the cities richness in plantain and got innovative.
The city itself was originally built in 1912 to export coal, however, it quickly transformed into a vibrant one, rich in culture and people who had a genuine love for life. On the Bole matter, one can safely say that people took advantage of the city’s abundance in plantain, being in the riverine area of Nigeria, and got innovative with ways to consume the product on the go.
Now, for three straight years, the City has played host to tourists trooping in for a Bole Festival. One will hold tomorrow August 3rd, 2019, and the people of PH city will yet again converge for the one-day event aimed at celebrating the rich heritage of the Niger Delta and pay homage to the powerful combo of Bole and fish, amongst others.
It is an event to witness, just the thought of the endless combinations can make any Bole lover salivate.
Reports have it that since its inception in 2016, organizers of the Bole Festival have offered free vendor space as a means to give back and empower local street food sellers, thereby allowing them to showcase their creativity with Bole.
The Bole Festival 2018 event was a testament to the cause and effect of such a festival. The event was hosted by David Wilson alongside Speech featuring dance and music performances.
Reciparian Cakes caught the attention of many with it’s beautiful, mouth-watering cake that depicted the Bole, Fish, and sauce in its natural habitat.
The festival has encouraged and built a strong and interactive online community for food lovers. This year’s Bole festival theme is “Our taste, Our Culture”, so we advise you check it out if you are in that neck of the woods. Who knows? You might even see Burna Boy. After all, he did say he is a Bole fan.
LOOOL , BURNA IS A KING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!