From animal legs to testicles: Nothing goes to waste in bustling Dar

Often roasted or boiled, they are served with roasted bananas and hot chilli sauce made from tomatoes, onions and lemon.

A spot check by The Citizen found that residents in low-income areas, who cannot afford prime cuts of chicken, goat or beef, have turned to these parts as affordable alternatives to conventional meat.

Buguruni resident Ibrahim Juma (not his real name) said he buys the organs for about Sh3,000, enough for a meal with ugali or rice. “They help people with limited income to still enjoy what we can get from chickens, goats and cattle. It is normal for many families in my neighbourhood,” he said.

Juma particularly enjoys goat testicles for their taste but avoids taking them home. “It is not our African culture to openly mention an animal’s private parts,” he said. “I eat them at the stall and take other organs home for my family.”

Nutritional value and health risks

Tanzania Food and Nutrition Centre (TFNC) senior research officer Maria Ngilisho said these foods are nutritious and have no negative effects if prepared hygienically and cooked thoroughly.

“Consuming animal parts such as chicken legs and intestines provides affordable sources of protein, collagen and other essential nutrients like minerals and vitamins for many low- and middle-income households,” she says.

She says collagen-rich cuts like chicken legs and skin of animals (cattle, chicken and goats among others) are valued for promoting joint health and improving skin elasticity.

“Oxtail offers both high-quality protein and rich flavour in soups and stews,” the nutritionist explains.

Regarding claims that consuming testicles offers a better sexual performance in men, Ms Ngilisho said such were just myths, saying good sexual performance is a matter of many aspects including healthy eating and lifestyle and absence of stress among others.

“Healthy wise, experts recommend everything in moderation - eat in moderation, exercise in moderation. Prepare foods in a hygienic way to ensure these traditional foods remain both safe and beneficial…There is no scientific evidence to support such myths,” she says.

She adds that special emphasis should be placed on thorough cleaning particularly of intestines to avoid bacterial contamination and warned that heavy seasoning or deep-frying can significantly reduce their nutritional value. Furthermore, eating deep fried foods excessively also poses healthy risks.

A growing business

At Segerea bus stand, Fredy Shirima has been selling these products for three years, supporting his family of five. He sources chicken legs, intestines and heads from Buguruni and Temeke markets and gets goat testicles, udders, pancreases and skin from three suppliers.

“I pay my suppliers a day in advance and send bodaboda riders to collect the organs. On good days, I make up to Sh200,000; on slow days, about Sh150,000,” he said.

Shirima acknowledged myths surrounding certain parts, such as goat testicles being linked to improved sexual performance especially in men.