Dining Etiquette

If you pay a visit to a Sierra Leonean friend, he or she will almost always invite you to stay and eat. Typically, men and boys eat separately from women and girls. Everyone washes their hands before eating, and then they form a circle around a large dish of food in the center. Sharing is an important part of life in Sierra Leone, and each person eats from the portion of the large dish that is directly in front of him or her. Reaching across the dish is impolite! Only the right hand is used for eating; the left hand is considered unclean.

Sierra Leonean people usually don't talk when they are eating. Talking demonstrates a lack of regard for the food. It is impolite to eat while leaning on your left hand. After the meal, water is usually passed around to be drunk and used to wash one's face and hands.