If I could bring one special dish, drink, or treat to our anniversary table, it would definitely be a steaming pot of jollof rice.
For those who may not know, jollof rice is a West African delicacy that carries the spirit of celebration. It’s rice cooked in a rich blend of tomatoes, onions, peppers, and spices, sometimes with chicken, beef, or fish on the side.
It’s the dish that almost always shows up at weddings, birthdays, Christmas, and family gatherings in my part of the world. Simply put, where there’s jollof rice, there’s happiness.
What makes it truly memorable for me isn’t just the taste, but the stories and emotions that come with it.
I still remember as a child, whenever there was a special event at home, the whole day would feel different. You’d hear the clatter of big cooking pots, the chatter of women moving in and out of the kitchen, and soon the unmistakable aroma of jollof rice (smoky) would fill the air.
It was the kind of smell that traveled beyond the walls of the house, teasing the neighbors and letting them know that a celebration was underway.
We children could never resist sneaking into the kitchen, hoping to steal a spoonful before the food was ready.
I remember standing on tiptoes, peeping into the big pot, watching the steam rise as the bright red orange rice simmered.
Sometimes we’d get caught and chased out, but sometimes an auntie would smile and secretly hand us a little taste on a spoon (the feeling was something else).
That small taste felt like gold, it wasn’t just food, it was joy, excitement, and the promise of a happy gathering to come.
Even now as an adult, jollof rice carries that same magic for me. It’s never just about eating, it’s about the togetherness that comes with it. You can’t eat jollof rice in silence, it almost demands laughter, music, conversations, and memories. For me, it represents joy that is shared, not kept.
And when I look at the Ladies of Hive community as we celebrate this 5th anniversary, it feels exactly the same.
Over the past five years, we’ve built a table where women from every corner of the world can sit together.
Our dishes may be different, one person brings stories, another brings art, another brings poetry, another brings a slice of wisdom, encouragement, or even a dose of humor, but together, it becomes a feast. A feast of creativity, inspiration, and growth.
What I love most is how diverse yet connected we are. Imagine a table where there’s jollof rice from West Africa, empanadas from Latin America, sushi from Asia, chai tea from India, and maybe a homemade pie from Europe, all served in one place.
That’s exactly what Ladies of Hive looks like. It’s not about uniformity, it’s about unity in diversity.
Each person adds her unique flavor, and together, it creates something richer than any one dish could ever be.
As I think about this anniversary, I’m reminded of how food and community go hand in hand. Just like a pot of jollof rice tastes better when shared, this community becomes more meaningful when each of us contributes something.
Every post, every comment, every encouragement has been like a spoonful added to the pot, making it fuller and more nourishing for everyone.
To me, the story of jollof rice and the story of Ladies of Hive are the same story told in different ways, the story of people coming together, bringing what they have, and creating joy that multiplies.
That’s why if I had to bring something special to this anniversary table, it wouldn’t just be food, it would be this reminder, that our strength lies not in eating alone, but in feasting together.
So here’s 🥂 to five years of sisterhood, creativity, and growth..
Five years of pulling up chairs to the table and making sure there’s room for everyone.
Five years of lifting each other, celebrating each other, and savoring the beauty of diversity.
And just like that pot of jollof rice that never seems to be enough because everyone wants a share, may our community continue to grow, expand, and multiply, feeding hearts, minds, and spirits for many years to come.
Happy 5th Anniversary, Ladies of Hive.
Here’s 🥂 to many more celebrations around this beautiful global table we have built together.
Shalom