MHISHIP SHOWCASES CULTURAL FOOD TO THE WORLD AT A DISPLAY IN BENIN CITY.
By Maxwell Paul Dashe.
The Mhiship Community of Benin Branch, Edo State, in collaboration with the Miss Mhiship of Benin, Miss Bridget Geoffrey, successfully hosted a landmark cultural food acquisition programme on Sunday, 21st of September 2025 in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria aimed at preserving and promoting the rich culinary heritage of the Mhiship people.
The event, with it’s theme: “Know Mhiship Dishes and their Historical Background,” served as a remarkable experience into the traditional dishes, historical migration, and cultural values of the Mhiship community.
The event brought together diverse ethnic groups in a celebration mood of culture and unity.
The programme chaired by the eldest Mhiship man, Ndah Mundi Daniel Wasat, was however, represented by the Branch Chairman, Mr. Wakman Ayuba, and his assistant, Mr. John Nicholas, alongside other officials and dignitaries.
Speaking during the event, the National President of the Mhiship Community and Cultural Development Association (MCCDA), Ndah Martin Dapel, represented by the National Chairman of the Mhiship Community Youth Development, Comrade Maxwell Paul Dashe conveyed a goodwill message from the MCCDA President, and expressed gratitude to the people of Benin for their hospitality toward the Mhiship community, especially those from Pankshin LGA of Plateau State.
He emphasized the importance of cultural unity and peaceful coexistence, while also educating the audience on the historical roots and migratory journey of the Mhiship people, their early settlements, and social structures.
Ndah Dapel concluded by speaking on the annual “Bhit Mhiship” cultural festival, a cornerstone of Mhiship tradition.
Highlights of the event was the cultural food presentation by Miss Mhiship of Benin, Miss Bridget Geoffrey where she showcased various Mhiship dishes, explaining their English names and corresponding terms in the Mhiship dialect.
Cultural delicacies displayed included:
Gwom/Mun Shuu(Swallow); Luu Ko (Chicken Meat); Shuu (Guinea Corn); Kul (Garden Egg);Lem-Bene Seed (Sesame); Shubakwa (Maize); Mar (Millet); Mbim (Palm wine) among others.
The event witnessed participants from diverse tribes and ethnic groups of Edo State, Ngas, Mupun, Tal, Dokpai, and several Miss Association of plateau indigens resident in Benin symbolizing intercultural unity and mutual respect.
The Mhiship Cultural Food Acquisition Programme marked a pivotal moment in preserving the language, food, and identity of the Mhiship people in diaspora and also reinforces the spirit of unity among Nigeria’s ethnic communities, setting a precedent for future cultural collaborations.
