‘I’m building a house from Waina biz’

Malama Maryam Ibrahim is an indigene of Niger State but is based in Abuja. She sells ‘Waina,’ the popular local snack. She started the trade in the early 80s in her hometown before relocating to the FCT. Like every well-trained Northern Nigerian girl, Malama Maryam learnt how to make the snack from her mother. Today, […]

Malama Maryam Ibrahim is an indigene of Niger State but is based in Abuja. She sells ‘Waina,’ the popular local snack. She started the trade in the early 80s in her hometown before relocating to the FCT. Like every well-trained Northern Nigerian girl, Malama Maryam learnt how to make the snack from her mother. Today, her restaurant is an ever-busy place.

The making of ‘Waina’ has different procedures before it is finally ready for consumption. She explained the process: “I make it out of ground white rice, mixed with potash. I start by soaking the rice in water for about two hours, and then it will be ground. After that, potash which has been soaked for long would be mixed with the rice paste to give it a sour taste. In the process, a little amount of sugar will be mixed in it.”

 She continued: “We add a reasonable amount of water and try not to give it too much heat so as not to have burnt end products.” Malama Maryam says she makes varieties of local soup to go with the consumption of ‘Waina’: “Some people prefer to eat it with vegetable soup, while others prefer it with pepper.” She makes up to 30,000 naira daily, adding that she has a lot of customers.

She added: “The business is not easy because it needs a lot of time, endurance and courage.” She said she is most grateful to God, who has blessed her bountifully. “I have bought a piece of land and I’m presently building a five-bedroom flat, all from my business.”

Malama Maryam has about ten waitresses who work with her and she has trained about 37 girls on how to prepare ‘Waina’ and they are now presently making a living out of selling the local food. According to Mallam Saleh Debah, owner of a suya spot, his business is booming because he buys his ‘Waina’ in bulk from Maryam and sells it with suya. “My customers always compliment positively,” he said. Another customer, Ahmadu Musa, said according to the rate which people visit the restaurant to have a taste, Maryam will one day be known all over the nation.