West Nile's Cherished Delicacy: The Enduring Love for White Ants

As the first rains grace the West Nile region of Uganda, particularly from April to July, residents in districts like Arua, Yumbe, Moyo, Koboko, Nebbi, and Pakwach anticipate more than just the start of a new farming season. They eagerly await the arrival of ‘ngwen,’ the local term for white ants, a tiny insect that holds significant cultural and culinary importance.

For generations, these winged termites have been more than just a food source; they represent community identity and are considered a delicacy. In areas like Abira Cell, Arua City, entire families participate in the nocturnal hunt, armed with lanterns and basins, as the termites emerge from their mounds. Residents like Jennifer Acen note that successful catches can save them the expense of purchasing the ants, which can cost up to Shs2,500 per cup from vendors, while local village prices are around Shs500.

Vendors like Loyce Adiru can earn substantial amounts, up to Shs45,000 from a single basin, significantly contributing to their family’s livelihood. The harvesting season, traditionally linked to April rains, has become less predictable, with ants now appearing through May, June, and July.

However, this beloved delicacy is becoming scarcer. Conservationists and locals like Mustafa Gerima and Bernard Candini attribute the decline to urbanization, which leads to the destruction of anthills. Gerima recalls earning school fees from selling white ants in the late 1980s and early 1990s, a period when harvests were reportedly richer. He stresses the urgent need to preserve anthills as vital sources of food and income.

Nutritionally, white ants are rich in protein, healthy fats, iron, and calcium, offering essential benefits for body growth and energy. They are prepared in numerous ways – roasted, fried, sun-dried, or made into a paste called ‘onjabu.’ Despite changing lifestyles, the tradition of harvesting and consuming white ants persists, with younger generations continuing the practice and sharing their catches on social media.

This tradition, deeply rooted in the region, emphasizes the importance of preserving the natural environment that sustains this unique and cherished food source. As elders like Bernard Candini warn, the extinction of anthills would mean the end of this delicacy and the loss of an important cultural practice.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)