THE FIREWOOD

The use of firewood as a source of fuel is on a high increase in most West African Countries; especially Nigeria; irrespective of other sources of fuel; like kerosene, gas and coal, many prefers to make use of firewood’s in cooking food. In Nigeria this source of fuel is preferably used when cooking food meant for ceremonies involving a large number of people; occasions that fall into these groups are: traditional marriage otherwise known as igbankwu by the Igbo’s, festivals, burial ceremony and others.

To make use of firewood as fuel when cooking; a hard material must surely be used to form the pot stand. The materials for forming the pot stand could either be a hard stone or iron as the case maybe. It is believed by traditional groomed elder igbo women that food cooked with fire woods brings out a more better natural taste, to them the use of gas cooker, stove and other modern cooking materials is artificial and changes the supposed taste of food cocked. Another area firewood’s are used extensively is in bread making. Bakeries’ in Nigeria are top patronizes of firewood’s sellers.

In the western world firewood’s are burnt in typical furnace to supply heat to all the rooms in the building, this keeps the rooms temperature warm, but this has been replaced with electrical devices.

BY: MARTINS FRANCIS IFEANYICHUKWU