Why do Africans eat with their bare hands?

This is usually the first question I get asked when I tell my non African friends to ask me questions about my culture. I understand the intrigue though, why use your hands when there are numerous cutleries to choose from.

Eating with bare hands, in a lot of cultures, is as natural as eating with cutleries in other cultures. Also most African meal need to be moulded before eaten so a fork and knife would hardly do it justice.

Prior to eating with bare hands, individuals wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water to get rid of dirt.

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