As many people try to keep off cockroaches with all kinds of sprays and other control methods, there is a socialite in Tanzania who would gladly house the creepy creatures.
Saumu Hamisi also known as Ummy Dolly from Kigamboni in Dar es Salaam has left many in shock, not only her neighbors but also people on social media, by rearing and eating cockroaches.
The 20-year old is said to be rearing cockroaches just like any normal domestic animal such as hens and cows and eats them every week.
“I am an entrepreneur in the business of rearing and selling cockroaches. Because of my young age, many are shocked and others have questioned my mental health but for me I take this as a business and everything is okay with me,” she told BBC.
The socialite, who is also a musician, gained popularity from eating the insects. She says that she does not care what people think of her.
“I eat cockroaches because it is an important meal to me, it is sweet. Secondly, as an investor, I thought it was a must for me to eat them so that my customers can be convinced that this is a meal like any other. I eat them to motivate other people to also consider them a meal,” Saumu said.
She further said that the delicacy can be prepared in different manners including roasting and can be accompanied with Ugali, Roast bananas or even rice.
“Cockroaches are like any other stew that you are used to eating, for me I feel they taste like fried fish or chicken,” the socialite said.
The kind of cockroach she rears is known as the American cockroach. They are a bit different from the usual house cockroaches. They are reared in a clean environment and they are not harmful. She says that she got the variety from the SUA Agricultural center in Morogoro.
Photo|Courtesy
Answering the question why she decided to rear the cockroaches, Saumu said that rearing the insect is not a big challenge like other domestic animals.
“I tried rearing chicken and also ducks but they had a lot of challenges, for example sickness each day, I would get losses so I saw that cockroaches don’t have much work. I also entered the market to serve people in our country who like the delicacy,”Saumu explained.
Her customers range from Chinese nationals, a few Tanzanians who eat them, chicken rearing farmers and students who use them for practicals.
Experts say that the insects are rich in proteins and can substitute beef. They are said to cure stomach problems and other health issues in humans.
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