Casho

Casho is the meal eaten in the evening, typically the last meal of the day. Its timing and portion size vary according to people's customs and work schedules. In some places it is the largest meal of the day, while in others it is a light meal that follows a substantial lunch.

The Somali term refers to the early evening period. The phrase "casho labaad" (second evening meal) is also used when another meal is taken later in the night, particularly during fasting periods such as suhoor in the month of Ramadan.

Timing and practice

The timing of casho depends on work hours, sunset, and community customs. It generally takes place between sunset and bedtime. Many families view casho as the only time during the day when all household members gather at a shared table, making it a social occasion rather than merely a matter of nutrition.

Types of food

A typical Somali casho consists of rice, pasta, injera or sabaayad, eaten with meat broth made from goat, cattle, or fish, along with vegetables. In other regions, casho may comprise three courses (appetizer, main course, dessert) in the European manner, or simply tea and a light meal.

Health aspects

Nutritional research has examined the effects of casho timing and the caloric intake during the evening on body weight and sleep quality. Health advice generally recommends that casho not be too heavy and not consumed close to bedtime, though scientific findings remain disputed.