West Africa · Street food
Dibi (Wood-Grilled Mutton Skewers with Kankankan Spice)
Tender, fire-charred mutton pieces crusted in roasted peanut kankankan spice, sliced onions, and Dijon mustard in traditional Bamako style.
The story
Along the bustling streets of Bamako at twilight, open-air dibiteries wrap embers of hardwood charcoal to sear prime cuts of grass-fed Sahelian mutton. Dibiterie pitmasters, often from seasoned culinary lineages, balance intense smoky searing with gentle wrapping in butcher paper to steam the meat in its own rendered fat and juices. The hallmark seasoning, kankankan, is a complex blend of defatted peanut flour, dried chilies, and bouillon that forms a savory crust when exposed to intense wood fire.
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