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Hilib Ari Duban (Slow-Roasted Spiced Goat)
Tender, fall-off-the-bone goat shoulder slow-roasted with hawash spice blend, garlic, and onions until deeply browned and caramelized.
The story
Celebrated as the pinnacle of pastoral hospitality, Hilib Ari Duban is the centerpiece of Eid celebrations, Somali-Djiboutian weddings, and major Afar diplomatic gatherings (*maro*). Traditionally, pastoralists roast the goat underground or over charcoal embers with wild aromatics, basting it continuously with spiced pan drippings. The hallmark of authentic preparation is the liberal use of *xawaash* (hawash), a signature spice mix centered on toasted cumin, coriander, turmeric, and clove, complemented by a long, enclosed slow-roast that breaks down tough connective tissue without drying out the lean meat.
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