I was suppose to go to "Kruger national Park" this weekend but for some reason, I had to cancelled my trip for next week. I wasn't very happy about it so I have decided to grill some Arab style kabob but I was missing sesame cream, pine nut and tavuk spice. I called one my local friend who is a local taxi driver( He was my first cab driver in Mozambique when I came here). Titu is very smart- half Portuguese and half South African. Speak clear English and always eager to help. I called in his hand phone and I ask him if he know some Arab spice store in the city. As usual, he said 20 minutes and arrived in my house. Well, this is my friend titu. He is well dressed, elegant looking man. A wise, honest, hard working man who knows every corner of the city-Maputo.
Once I told him, I want to make Turkish kabob and missing some spices. He gave me his simple, wide smile and say- "don't worry friend, Titu will solve your problem". He drive me the entire city and took me at the end of Maputo. I never been this part of the town. I saw a mosque and start feeling, I am in a Muslim area. People are tall, fair, drinking tea from the tea vendors, chatting loudly- typical Arab style. The store was medium sized and full of Arab handicrafts, cini porcelain, ebru art, copper and silver casting, Turkish tea & Coffee, different kinds of Baklava, Sharma bread, sobyet everything. Titu looked at me and say- "told you friend,no worry, I am with you."
Though I went there for spices but I was looking their tea collection and Ebru art. I don't know, how long I was looking then the salesman came and asked me if I am looking for something specific. I asked for some Ebru art of paper and glass. He smiled and called the owner. A tall, fair pure Turkish looking man with great smile came. When he found out, I was in his country once, he instantly asked if I care for a cup of tea. O ya- tea with a real Turk, why not. I am familiar with famous Arab hospitality. Then he took me to another room- wow. Full of Turkish art, carpets, evil eyes jewelry, wall decoration pieces, famous Turkish "Caycur" brand tea many stuff. We sat on a very nice hand carved wooden chair. A full Turkish Caydanlik tea pot(double Decker tea pot) came with Turkish black tea. The beautiful Caydanlik pot had porcelain handle, beautifully hand painted. Then famous Turkish Hukka with apple tobacco came. Oh, I was just floating in heaven. He said- " we can talk about business later, lets introduce ourselves first." No wonder, that's Arab style. I told him about myself and then he start talking about his side. I spend three and half hours there and the brief is-
His grandfather came from Turkey. He wanted to make his fortune here but end up marrying with a local Portuguese woman. His father got married with Moroccan woman and he is married with a Turkish woman whom he fallen love during his study in Istanbul. His business is going very bad and he is thinking to go back to Turkey. I was very sad to know this. He is a man with strong moral who doesn't want to sell cheap quality product. He told me the story of the Arab who came to Mozambique and Africa for trade in the 7th century. First landed in Madagascar island then spreads all around Africa- Manda island, sofala, Mogadishu, Malindi, Mombassa etc. etc. How Muslim influence, culture and religion integration between Arab settler and African indigenous people. The history of recent civil war in Mozambique. The history of Arab who build many sea port around Africa. He showed many art of building port in Sofala in 9th century, some re-print of 12 th century Arab documents. His knowledge is vast about African history.
We ate chicken sawrma, Baklava and drank many cups of Turkish style tea with puffing hukka w/ apple tobacco. I had a great time with him and he refused to take any money from me for food and drinks. Moreover he invited me in his house to have a full course Turkish dinner. He told me he will get some high quality Ebru glass and paper art for me. Sometime I think, how lucky I am to have the opportunity to meet many nice tea people around the world.
I haven't get the chance to go to Kruger and couldn't cook my Kabob but became more knowledgeable with a wonderful Turkish-Mozambique man over tea. I wish, all of you a wonderful tea day.
Ripon Maputo, Mozambique