But the countries of North Africa's Maghreb region may be about to put their differences aside with a joint bid to have the dish added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list. The list showcases the world's most precious cultural treasures, with the UN cultural body sometimes offering funding to countries struggling to protect their traditions. There are as yet few details on the North African bid, but Slimane Hachi, director of Algeria's prehistoric research centre, said that it would unite Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Libya, Mauritania and Mali. It will not be the first time UNESCO status has been mooted for couscous, but this time working together could prove the secret ingredient. Another food historian, Lucie Bolens, has described primitive couscous pots found in Algeria dating back to the reign of king Massinissa 2,200 years ago.

Source: The North Africa Journal February 14, 2018 11:37 UTC