Couscous, an ancestral dish symbolizing the national culinary heritage, is never far from Algerian tables.
Outside of special occasions, such as weddings, or religious celebrations, such as Eid and Mawlid, couscous is often consumed, with its thousand and one versions.
Furthermore, it is found every Friday in almost all Algerian homes, as well as being found in the busiest public places. A custom that did not escape an Egyptian citizen who settled in Algeria who admits to being totally seduced by it” The Friday tradition ».
It is on TikTok that Khaled, an Egyptian expatriate originally from Alexandria and living in Algeria, shares a human experience that touched him deeply. “ These Friday traditions I like in Algeria », he announces in the caption before starting his story.
He says that one Friday he was in a bar, shortly before prayer (Joumouaâ): “ I was sitting in silence when a man arrived with a large plate of couscous and invited everyone to eat it. ».
Already seduced by this first gesture, what was his surprise when he saw other people arriving with their arms full of large plates of couscous and encouraging everyone present to help themselves.
« We all ate together and every time someone took my hand and insisted that I participate. I was constantly invited and told I was welcome », confides Khaled in a video on TikTok.
Then, addressing his community of followers, he declared: “ In Algeria I noticed that there is no concept of eating alone. If someone has something, they will insist that everyone around them help themselves. ».
A tradition that says a lot about the generosity of Algerians
He goes on to marvel at the popularity of Friday couscous in Algeria, having been in the country for more than two months. “ This is the first time I’ve seen it “, he confides about the sharing of food among the locals before the prayer, adding further down in the comments: “It is a tradition that says a lot about the generosity of Algerians. ».
Other similar testimonies are delivered in the comments section: “ It happened to me in Khemis Miliana (Aïn Defla). We arrived at Friday prayer time and soon after a man offered us couscous. He also came back a second time to see if we were satisfied », « I remember one day when it was raining heavily on the street. We had to stop and someone from the area brought us food in the car ».
Some speakers explain that the choice of couscous is not trivial, indicating that it is for ” avoid the smell of onion and garlic in the mosque“. As for the generous tradition of offering this dish to passers-by, “ it is “maârouf”, an act of charity” which can be found in all cities of Algeria.