saraka

English

Etymology

From an unknown West African language, from Arabic صَدَقَة (ṣadaqa). Although owners of enslaved African Americans suppressed Islam, a small number of cultural practices originating from Islam persisted in the US. The West African tradition of giving rice cakes as charity (related to their practice of Islam) survived among various African Americans.

Noun

saraka (plural sarakas)

1. A sweet, flat, and soft cake resembling mochi made with rice and a sweetener such as sugar and honey, originating from African American culture.

   My mother made me saraka for Christmas.

   • 1940, Mary Granger, “Sapelo Island”, in Drums and Shadows‎^[1]:

     She make funny flat cake she call 'saraka.'

References

• U.S. Muslim Philanthropy after 9/11‎^[2], 2017

Bambara

Noun

saraka

1. alms
2. sacrifice
3. remedy

Swahili

Noun

saraka class IX (plural saraka class X)

1. drawer

   Synonym: mtoto wa meza