Mumu

Mumu

A mumu is a meal that is steamed in the ground. This is a tradition of Papua New Guinea. At the Numonohi Bung, the mumu was the highlight of the reunion. Or should I say, the mumu that wasn't. I say this because when it came time to eat--the meat was not cooked and only some of the vegetables were done. The problem was this: In PNG, the nationals would begin the process in the early morning and the food would steam all day long. Here in the US, the nationals (us) didnt start until noon, and the food didnt go in until 3:30ish. And we were expecting to eat at 6. So out came the grills to finish cooking the meat (pork and chicken), and the uncooked veges went to the kitchen. Our mumu flopped. But it was fun to watch the guys prepare it and to smell the burning grass and banana leaves. These smells took us back to New Guinea. This was definately an event to remember.

If you click on the picture above and read the captions under the pictures, they will tell you how a mumu is prepared.