Dambou

Dambou, also spelled dambu, is a dish native to the Zarma and Songhai peoples of southwestern Niger, made from steamed cereals and moringa leaves. It is eaten at any time but mainly at festive occasions such as naming ceremonies and weddings, and it is also common among the Dendi people of northern Benin and in other West African towns, including the Zongo settlements where Songhai and Zarma travelers live. Cooks use rice flour, fine wheat semolina or couscous, or millet, wheat or corn couscous, steam it for twenty to thirty minutes, and add boiled moringa leaves, then onion, chili, salt, broth, peanut and oil, with meat or fish served alongside.