African cuisine encompasses within its fold several nations, including Morocco, Algeria, Libya, Tunisia, Egypt and Sudan. The roots of North African cuisine can be traced back to the ancient empires of North Africa, particularly in Egypt, where many of the country's dishes and culinary traditions date back to antiquity. Over several centuries traders, travelers, invaders, migrants and immigrants all have influenced the cuisine of North Africa. The Phoenicians of the 1st century brought sausages, while the Carthaginians introduced wheat and its by-product, semolina. The Berbers adapted semolina into couscous, one of the main staple foods. Olives and olive oil were introduced before
Dogra with them against the Sikhs. Wheat, maize and bajra are staple food besides rice, cereals and a tangier preparation made out of mango or tamarind popularly known as "maani". The whole dish is called "dal puth maani" and is savoured as a combination. "Mitha madra" is a favourite and is cooked from milk, dry fruits, and semolina. Preparations of "rajmash" (a special variety of red kidney beans); "auria" a dish of curd fermented by rye; "ambal" made from pumpkin, jaggery and tamarind are favourites, especially during ceremonial cooking. The expert cooks are called "Siyans", usually Brahmins. "Kalari" is a milk