Definition of the word garri

The word "garri" is an African food item commonly consumed in several West African countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, and The Gambia. It is derived from the Akan or Twi dialect of the Akan language, which is predominantly spoken by the Ashanti, Fante, and Akwapim people of Ghana. In the Akan dialect, "gari" means "peeled cassava" or "grated cassava". The word "gari" eventually became garri when it was adopted by the Efik people of Cross River State, Nigeria. Efik is a Bantoid language that is related to the Akan dialect. Garri is made from cassava, a starchy tuber root vegetable. The process of producing garri involves washing and peeling the cassava, grating it into thin strips using a grater, and then drying it under the sun for several days. The sun-dried cassava strips are then milled into a fine powder called garri. Garri can be eaten in different ways, depending on the preference of the individual. It can be soaked in water to form a slimy, moldable paste, called eba, and served with soup or stew. It can also be fried to form street food called puff-puff or akara, which is commonly consumed in Nigeria. In conclusion, the word "garri" derived from the Akan dialect of the Akan language, and it has since been adopted by other Bantoid languages in West Africa, including the Efik language. Its origin reflects the cultural and linguistic heritage of the people who use it as a staple food item.