How to prepare ‘apapa’, the Ebira delicacy

First, do you even know the tribe ‘Ebira’? It is
usually wrongly spelt as ‘Igbira’ many times
and is found mostly in Kogi state. What is even
more surprising to many is that they actually
have a traditional food. This food is known as
apapa, which when cooked properly can even
be eaten as a snack. It looks like moi-moi but
the colour is different.
The ingredients you would need are:
Beans- 2 cups
Palm oil- 2 cooking spoons
Ground crayfish- 1 teaspoon
Seasoning cubes- 2 cubes
Onion- 1
Pepper- 4-6 (depending on the size)
Water
Salt- to taste
Uma leaves/ transparent nylon bag/ moi-moi
cups
Steps
1. First, pick the dirt in the beans and wash it.
Then soak in water for about 20 minutes to
soften it.
2. Blend the beans along with your pepper and
onion
3. Boil some water in a pot and put a base like
the cover of a smaller pot inside
4. Pour the blended beans into a bowl and add
the salt, seasoning, palm oil and ground
crayfish. Mix and add water till you get a
medium consistency.
5. Scoop the mixture into the leaves,
transparent nylon bags or moi-moi cups and
wrap gently. Whichever one you get is fine but
most preferably use the uma leaves; it would
be best. It is a traditional food after all, so why
not go traditional all the way to get the best
flavour? Be sure to wash the leaves at least
twice before use.
6. Carefully place the wraps in the boiled
water, on top of the base.
7. Add water at regular intervals for at least 30
minutes
8. Serve hot and enjoy the crumbling texture
of this meal.
It is highly nutritious and can be eaten alone or
with pap or custard.