I was nine years old when I attended the first Annual Cultural Day Celebration at my school, the Lycee Francais Theodore Monod, a French school located in Mauritania. I garnered the support of my family members to represent Mali at the multicultural celebration. I also had the opportunity to try different dishes from various countries such as Chad, Lebanon, Spain, and Morocco. The different aromas, flavors, and textures of food that I tried on that day were incredible! And for me, an avid nine years old girl, that day was unique and special. It was a mind-blowing experience, which helped me appreciate the significant role of food in cultural exchange.

Years went by. And, I started to express an interest in cooking. When I was a teenager, my cousins and I would rotate the preparation of our family meals on weekends. During the summer breaks, I often traveled to Mali to stay at my maternal grandmother’s house. The natural process of cooking hearty dishes from scratch was fascinating. The food was flavorful and comforting. Upon my return to Mauritania, I would often recreate some Malian recipes.

After graduating from high school, I studied abroad in Morocco for three years. I discovered more North African cultures and cuisines. In 2003, I relocated to the United States, where I explored various cuisines (i.e. Caribbean, Latin, Asian, and soul food). Although I was unfamiliar with some of the cooking techniques of these cuisines, the flavors and ingredients were familiar. It made me realize that history and geography have a great influence on food cultures.

Throughout my cultural journey, I have learned that cultures express themselves in cooking. We often appreciate eating with family and friends. Moreover, food has the unique ability to unite us all, even people from different cultural backgrounds. Food –in a sense– is like a cultural bridge that connects us.

My experience: I’m a native Bambara and French speaker, fluent in English, and proficient in Wolof and Spanish. I became a certified intercultural trainer in 2015. Thus, I facilitated numerous training on intercultural communication for a nonprofit organization promoting cultural understanding. Below are more details about my experience:

• More than a decade of experience organizing multicultural events promoting food diplomacy
• Sample organizations, which I collaborated with while working for a non profit organization promoting cultural understanding: The Dining Traveler, Cultural Tourism DC, 734 Coffee, 9jadelicacies, and Pepco Art Gallery

My Why

There is a trove of cultural treasures to be discovered from Africa–often misunderstood and underappreciated.                   My mission is to help you discover and celebrate an amazing continent through food and culture. Here, I raise awareness about African cultural heritage and the importance of cultural sensitivity. I mainly focus on West African cultures.

Can’t wait to start the cultural experience? Book your consultation today, send a message to info@nomadfatimata.com