Family Cooking/Gathering

Being a Nigerian, and an African at large, can almost be seen as being synonymous with belonging to a traditional family. Growing up in what can be termed as a modern traditional family, (seeing as both parents worked) involved homemade meals, and less frequent outings to diners or restaurants.
I grew up amidst three other siblings. An older brother and two younger sisters. I ought to be the major 'chef' in my family, considering i am the oldest girl but alas, the case is different.
My younger sisters are the actual cooks of the family, cooking virtually Nigerian delicacy, but each having their own specialty.
my immediate younger sister has really perfected the art of cooking fried rice, a meal virtually identical to the Chinese fried rice, while the youngest of us all is really good at making 'Jollof Rice' a Nigerian delicacy that i am sure is foreing to most if not all of you.
These delicacies are frequently served at various celebrations, parties, reunions etc. back home in Nigeria.
However, the thought of these two dishes, brings to mind family gatherings at my maternal grandparents house, every first day of the year to have lunch/dinner, where other dishes such as pounded yam and vegetable soup, white rice and stew, deep fried chicken, to mention a few, are also served.
Each year always begins with this gathering, although, over the years, the number of people in attendance has dwindled, due to migration of family members, out of state or sometimes overseas, such as my being here in Evansville, begining of this year and as suh having to miss the gathering of this year.
These dishes are almost impossible to find anywhere here except at Chinese buffets, where i get to eat fried rice. Eating this, always brings back memories not just of my grandparents and family, but Nigeria as well.
Preparation of my favorite meal which is Fried Rice with deep fried chicken, is carried out just as it is named. RIce is stir fried with vegetables, lots of onions and thinly sliced cabbages.
Although it is a ritual for my family to gather at my grandparents house, i cannot lay claim to recipes being passes down generations, however, i can lay claim to the fact that mothers' have taught their daughters' to cook, thus i guess this might qualify.