Braaing is by far the most common social activity in South Africa.
It’s estimated that thousands of braais are hosted on a daily basis, with millions of people eating braai’d meat across the world each day.
Many are questioning how this tradition could have developed into such an iconic past time.
I mean, why will you not braai and eat meat at every meal?
Or why not just buy it from your local supermarket or butchery, braai’d and ready to be eaten?
What is it about braai’ng that had taken hold so strongly in our culture?
I am going to tell you a story about a farmer that decided to ask those closest to him where this tradition came from…his sheep!
They are what our forefathers ate, and according to the farmer, they know a thing or two about braaing.
They live on his farm and roam free as nature intended.
The farmer also mentioned that they are very cuddly, friendly and love to have a good chat with anyone that’s willing to listen.
One such sheep was speaking to him on the topic of braai’ng, and the farmer asked him why we humans enjoyed doing this so much?
The sheep thought deeply about this question for a moment before replying: “I’ve been around longer than you boet, I’ve seen many of your generations come and go, and one thing has remained true throughout all history…everyone enjoys sitting around a braai, kuiering and eating meat with friends or family.”
The reason humans enjoy getting together over a braai is that it brings people together from all walks of life.
You could have a CEO or manager and a struggling student sitting around the same fire enjoying themselves.
In fact, it is quite hard not to enjoy yourself when you’re at a braai while having a nice cold beer with friends!
Now before non-South Africans get confused, what we call braai’ng in South Africa means grilling meat.
Whichever method of braaiing you prefer, the one thing that remains true is that nothing brings people together more than good company over braai’d meat and many a drunken conversation…which by the way….is exactly how he ended up talking to this sheep in the first place… ????