Solanum aethiopicum, Gilo, Scarlet Eggplant, Garden Egg, Ethiopian Eggplant. These are just some of the many different names for Gilos. While I will be using the name Gilo for this plant there are many different names in many different languages of where this plant is grown. This plant is a cultural food in many parts of Africa, mostly in Central and West Africa. The seeds of Gilos were brought to Brazil through the transatlantic slave trade. Enslaved people would hide the seeds of their ancestral foods in their hair as they were taken across the ocean. Since Gilos were already grown in hot and semi tropical environments, they flourished and adapted to the climate of Brazil.
Gilos are an important cultural food for these people, yet they struggle with access to Gilos especially in areas like Washington for example. There is a large west African immigrant community in parts of Seattle who have limited access to Gilos and other cultural foods. Observing the lack of access for many to Gilos, this is only the tip of the iceberg in regard to access to culturally relevant foods for immigrants in America. Gilos are an important cultural food as they not only contribute to the pallet of African food but also the fruits of this plant have numerous health benefits. These benefits were first noticed by leaders of communities in central and west Africa. Gilos are used as remedies for many ailments like fever or dizziness but can also be used to treat convulsions and hypertension. Other varieties in Africa are used to prevent malaria and stimulate appetite. (eggplants present and future)