Tihlo Cooking Amid Conflict: A Recipe, a Culture, a Call to Remember

The Conflict Behind the Meal: A Region Starving for Peace

This dish carries the heartbreak of a region in crisis.

• Since November 2020, Tigray has been engulfed in war, famine, and displacement. Today, over 13 million people in Tigray, Afar, and Amhara remain acutely food-insecure, with hundreds of thousands already lost to starvation.

• The siege on Tigray has destroyed farms, stolen livestock, and burned crops—intentionally disrupting agricultural life for survival.

• More than 650,000 women and children have had access to malnutrition treatment halted due to an overwhelming lack of funding, while over 10 million Ethiopians face severe hunger.

• A harrowing report by Physicians for Human Rights and others confirms that systematic sexual violence—mass rape, forced pregnancies, and cruelty—has been weaponized as a tool of genocide.

• The destruction doesn’t end with crops or bodies. Hospitals and clinics are mostly non-functional, disease runs rampant, and health workers are overwhelmed or gone. Only a tiny fraction of health facilities remain operational.

Recipe: Tihlo with Zigni Sauce (Barley Dough Balls & Spicy Meat Stew)

Ingredients – Tihlo (Barley Dough Balls):

• 2 cups roasted barley flour

• Water (as needed)

• A pinch of salt

Instructions – Tihlo:

1. In a bowl, mix barley flour with a pinch of salt.

2. Gradually add warm water, kneading until a soft, pliable dough forms.

3. Roll the dough into small golf-ball-sized balls.

4. Arrange the balls around a communal platter, leaving space in the center for the sauce.

Ingredients – Zigni (Spicy Meat Stew):

• 1 lb cubed beef or lamb

• 2–3 tbsp berbere spice

• 1 onion, finely chopped

• 2–3 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 can crushed tomatoes

• Salt, pepper to taste

• Oil or clarified butter for cooking

Instructions – Zigni:

1. Heat oil or clarified butter in a pot over medium heat.

2. Sauté the onion until golden, then stir in garlic and berbere spice; cook for a minute to release the aromas.

3. Add the meat cubes and brown thoroughly.

4. Pour in crushed tomatoes, season with salt and pepper, and simmer until the meat is tender and the sauce thickens.

5. Transfer the warm stew to the center of the platter with the Tihlo balls.

To Serve:

• Use a two-pronged wooden fork (called a shint’ar) to spear a Tihlo ball, dip it into the zigni, and enjoy each bite as a blend of tradition, taste, and togetherness

  
  

Stand With Tigray

Right now, millions in Tigray are facing famine, displacement, and unimaginable violence. Families who once gathered around traditional dishes like Tihlo are now struggling just to find their next meal. The conflict has not only threatened lives, but also the preservation of culture and community.

We cannot look away.

• Learn: Share the stories of Tigrayan resilience so they are not silenced.

• Support: Donate to trusted humanitarian organizations bringing aid to the region.

• Remember: When you cook or share food, let it be an act of solidarity with those who cannot.

Your voice and action matter. Together, we can amplify awareness and provide hope to the people of Tigray.