Portuguese traders brought the humble peanut to Africa. But soon our ancestors saw the ground nut for what it was. Sacred. Throughout Africa peanuts came to symbolize prosperity, fertility, and abundance. Peanuts were featured in spiritual rituals, especially ceremonies honoring transitions and transformations like weddings, births and deaths.
Orisha of fresh water, love, and fertility, Oshun accepts many offerings from her followers, including peanuts.
When our enslaved ancestors were scattered across the globe, peanuts were scattered with them. Our ancestors did with the peanut what they did with everything else: made somethin’ outta nothin’. Using their ancestral knowledge of cuisine, they created delicacies like boiled peanuts. This dish is still enjoyed throughout the American South.
Although we can’t know for sure if our enslaved ancestors continued using peanuts in their spiritual rituals, the spiritual significance of the peanut permeated their lives. Whether growing peanuts in their personal gardens or hosting community “peanut boils,” our ancestors relied on peanuts for spiritual reprieve and uplift.
Our ancestors' devotion to preserving peanuts gives a deeper meaning to what we call “soul food". Whether we’re cooking with peanuts or not, serving our loved ones meals infused with sacred, ancestral love is still one of our best ways of uplifting Spirit.