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Barbecue varies by the type of meat, sauce, rub, or other flavorings used, the point in barbecuing at which they are added, the role smoke plays, the equipment and fuel used, cooking temperature, and cooking time. The term originated with the Afrikaners, but has since been adopted by South Africans of many ethnic backgrounds. The word vleis is Afrikaans for meat, cognate with English flesh. Braai is regarded by some as another word for barbecue, in that it serves as a verb when describing how food is cooked and a noun when describing the cooking equipment, such as a grill. Fish and rock lobster, commonly called crayfish, are also popular in coastal areas, particularly on the west and southwest coasts, and prawns are also braaied.
A braai is a social occasion that has specific traditions and social norms. The meal is subsequently eaten outside by the braai stand, since these gatherings are normally hosted during the long summer months. What often makes a braai different from barbecue in that it is the “go-to” social event for many South Africans, from Christmas Day, to graduation parties, to birthdays and every day get togethers, used as a means to celebrate. Other cultures may reserve a barbecue as a special event in its own right. Braai Day is a celebration of South Africa’s rich cultural heritage and its unique national pastime, the braai. It aims to unite all South Africans by encouraging them to partake in a fun and tangible activity shared by all demographic groups, religious denominations, and body types. The event was initiated by the Mzansi Braai Institute in South Africa in 2005 and, since 2008, has been promoted under the Braai4Heritage banner, a non-profit initiative.
Similar to South Africa, the term braai is also used by Zimbabweans to refer to a barbecue. Other terms you may hear are kugocha in the predominantly Shona North or chesa nyama in the South. Barbecue is popular in all of the Caribbean islands, with each having its own local variations and traditions. The indigenous Native Taíno peoples method has involved slowly cooking meat over a wooden mesh of sticks. Jamaican jerk chicken is an example of barbecue in Jamaica.