Episode 34: Hawa Hassan: Foods That Endure, Recipes and Stories from Countries Shaped by War
(C) Khadija M. Farah
For author and chef Hawa Hassan food is memory, survival, identity, and a connection to home. Born in Mogadishu during the Somali Civil War, Hawa's life was forever altered by conflict. After being separated from her family and spending years in a refugee camp in Kenya, she immigrated to Seattle at the age of seven, not seeing her mother again for fifteen years.
Today, Hawa is an acclaimed chef, entrepreneur, and author whose work explores the powerful relationship between food, culture, and displacement. In this conversation, we discuss her book, In Bibi’s Kitchen.
At the heart of the book are the stories of women, particularly grandmothers, whose kitchens became centers of resilience and cultural survival. Hawa shares why she chose to focus on these often overlooked voices and how recipes can preserve history when so much else has been lost.
We also explore the lasting influence of colonialism on food cultures, including the presence of ingredients and dishes introduced through occupation and trade. How do communities reconcile painful histories embedded in their cuisine? Can foods associated with colonization be reclaimed and transformed into expressions of identity and belonging?
This episode is a moving exploration of memory, migration, and the enduring power of food to sustain families, preserve culture, and carry stories across generations.
Please buy her books In Bibi’s Kitchen and Setting a place for us - to learn about the recipes from the African countries bordering the Indian Ocean. You can also Cook Somali Suugo Suqaar or Pasta with Beef from the recipe she so kindly provided for us.
You can also follow her in instagram @hawahassan
There is much to learn about the 8 countries featured in this book - however here are some interesting links:
Letter from Africa: The wonders of Somali cuisine and a taste of home.