September 8, 2025
Few dishes inspire as much passion and pride across West Africa as jollof rice. The beloved one-pot dish, which traces its roots back to the Senegambian region and the ancient Wolof (or Jolof) Empire, has grown to become a cultural touchstone throughout the African continent and the diaspora.
At its heart, jollof is a simple recipe built on a foundation of tomatoes, onions, and bell peppers cooked down with garlic, ginger, thyme, bay leaf, curry powder, and chili. Yet the true magic lies in the balance of flavors: tangy, smoky, spicy, and earthy, each version reflecting the traditions, tastes, and ingredients of its home country.
Over the years, a spirited debate has continued about which nation makes the best jollof. Senegal, widely considered the birthplace of the dish, offers a deep, savory version called thieboudienne. Nigeria’s rendition is famously smoky, fiery, and rich, often made with long-grain parboiled rice. Ghana’s cooks lean toward basmati, creating a lighter but equally flavorful style. Meanwhile, Sierra Leone and Liberia serve variations that are often milder, sometimes cooked with coconut milk for a touch of sweetness. Each dish tells a story, and every community insists theirs is the superior recipe.
That debate is at the core of the Jollof Festival, an event founded in Washington, D.C., in 2017 by Ghanaian entrepreneur Ishmael Osekre. What began as a playful extension of online banter has grown into a touring celebration of food, music, and culture.
“The debates were just too intense on Twitter that I was like, we just have to taste this,” Osekre said. “We can’t settle this thing by arguing. We just have to taste it and be honest about who makes the best one.”
Since then, the festival has traveled across the United States, offering food lovers both a crash course in West African culinary traditions and the chance to vote in the “Jollof Wars.” On Saturday, September 13, at Johnson C. Smith University, attendees will gather on “The Block,” the school’s outdoor event space, to sample and compare five distinct jollof styles.
With a sampling ticket ($42.33), you’ll receive three-ounce cups of each country’s dish and the chance to vote for your favorite. For those who prefer to enjoy the music and atmosphere without joining the taste test, a general admission ticket ($24.49) includes access to vendors, live performances, and cultural showcases.
The Charlotte edition will feature a variety of food vendors serving traditional African dishes and snacks, along with artisans offering crafts, clothing, and handmade goods. The cultural experience will expand with performances from JCSU fraternities and sororities, blending African pride with HBCU traditions. On the music front, DJ Atomix and DJ Beezy will set the rhythm for the day, spinning a mix of afropop, highlife, and afrobeats to keep the crowd dancing well into the evening, hosted by NK So Gorgeous, a dancer and content creator.
For Osekre, the festival is about more than deciding who makes the best jollof. It’s about using food to connect people, share culture, and build community.
“It is a reunion of the diaspora,” he explained. “Being able to reconnect with the community around food…it feels like a mini family reunion each time.”
What started as an attempt to resolve an online rivalry has grown into a traveling African food festival — a celebration of culture, history, and identity through the dish that unites West Africa. This September, Charlotte residents and visitors alike will have the chance to taste history, join the debate, and experience firsthand why jollof is so much more than just rice.
You can find more information about the Jollof Festival in Charlotte at Johnson C. Smith University on Saturday, September 13, and in Durham on Saturday, September 27. Tickets for the event include general admission for $24.49, granting access to the event and vendors; Entry + Jollof Samples for $42.33, which includes a sample pack and the ability to vote; the Oga at the Top ticket for $76.70, offering entry, skip-the-line access, a sample pack, voting, and a Jollof T-shirt; and kids under 10 enter free.
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