Dukuna

The preparation of dukuna brings back memories of my childhood of going to the river (ghaut) to collect Chainy bush. I can remember the huge boulders (stones), the slippery stones and the water flowing.

I recall the time our Duke of Edinburgh group went on an expedition and decided to rest at Trants’ Estate outside the old plantation house ruins. We prepared dukuna on site as our leaders sat and talked about old jumbie (ghost) stories.

I have to admit until now I never thought about where dukuna originated. However, I can assume that given the ingredients; sweet potato, sugar, ginger, coconut and also given the virtue of how it is prepared; grass roots preparation wrapping in dasheen bush (chainy bush) suggests a slave innovation for them to make best use of what they had to eat.

According to the dictionary of Caribbean English usage dukuna is called ‘dukana‘ in Antigua, British Virgin Islands, St. Vincent, blue-draw(er)s in Jamaica, Boyo in Belize and Jamaica, Cankie in Guyana, Conchi in Nevis, Conkie in Antigua, barbados, St. Kitts, corn-dumpling in St. Kitts, dokunu in Belize and Jamaica, pemi in Tobago, Trinidad, Pone in Jamaica. There are varying mixtures of ingredients all wrapped in a leaf. Ingredients

• 1 lb sweet potatoes, peeled (grated)
• 1 cup of coconut (grated)
• 1 cup of brown sugar
• ¼ cup vegetable oil
• ¼ cup flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• 1 table spoon of ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper,

Directions

1. Peel and grate the potatoes .
2. Place them in a bowl of cold water to prevent discoloration.
3. Remove (with a knife) the hard layer of the endosperm (coconut).
4. Grate coconut in a large bowl.
5. In a large bowl, combine coconut, potatoes, ginger and oil.
6. Stir in the sugar, black pepper and salt to taste.
7. Gradually mix in the flour.
8. Divide the dukuna mixture into a plant leaf such as elephant ear leaf(chainy bush)/banana leaf/ sea-grape leaf wrap with banana palm strings (use aluminum foil if you do not have leaves).
9. Pour water into a large pot and bring to boil.
10. Place the completed dukuna in water.
11. Cook in a covered pot for 1 ½ hour on medium heat.
12. Untie and enjoy. Serve hot or cold.

The preparation of dukuna brings back memories of my childhood of going to the river (ghaut) to collect dasheen bush (Chainy). I can remember the huge boulders (stones), the slippery stones and the water flowing.

I have to admit until now I never thought about where dukuna originated from. However, I can assume that given the ingredients (potato, sugar, ginger, coconut). Also given the virtue of how it is prepared; grass roots preparation wrapping in dasheen bush (chainy bush) suggests a slave innovation for the slaves to find something to eat.

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A Celebration of Life

My paternal grandmother always reminded me that I was a special child which means highly favored. The word special has varied meaning to me over the years; in the Bahamas when certain friends and family call me special it means silly. No I am not eccentric.

During Easter I stayed in a certain couple’s home,  there was serenity in the atmosphere of their home. Shortly afterward I felt compelled to contact the couple, I spoke to them on several occasions thereafter but never physically met them. Sadly the husband passed away and the funeral service was held on my birthday, a few days ago. Yes, on my birthday. My friends and family members were very vocal on whether or not I should attend a funeral on my birthday given their view that he was not family.

To me this was my family as he represented so many things. Father Thaddeus Pratt dedicated his life to the honor and glory of God and has been a loving father and husband. He was married for fifty one years which is a glorious example of love and devotion. I am sure that is something we wish to emulate; Mrs Florence Pratt  and I are in the same sister-hood. It was a sensible thing to do as it was a celebration of an extraordinary person’s life and co-incidentally mine.

There was a certain joy at his home going celebration. It reminded me of a feel for luxury; in terms of life’s accomplishments, achievements. It was a time to reflect, it gave me a challenge to carry on, it was a wake up call to do better and it reminded me to live life to the fullest and make the most of opportunities and time.  I am no stranger to funerals  after all, as my great grandfather died the day I was born, hence the reason why my grandmother calls me special.

This week marked another year of celebration. Are you taking note of the various accomplishments of your life? Are you truly grateful for even the minor endeavors of others?