Braai Day on 24 September marks a very important custom in South African circles: the fitful turning of raw meat on a grid, underneath which perfectly temperate hot coals cause the sizzling of, and cooking of aforesaid meat.

Originating from the Afrikaner people, braaing has since become a pastime for people of many different backgrounds in countries like South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana and Zambia.

If you’re abroad, chances are the weather isn’t conducive or even similar to braaiing during the long summer months in South Africa. Braaiing abroad however, can be pulled off with a decent amount of style. With full tummies and memories of the good times as an afterthought we’ve included a few ideas for you to make the best of the situation.

Organise a bring and braai – the easiest part of this forage into Heritage Day/Braai Day, generally only requiring the use of two operative phrases: ‘braai’ and ‘now now’.

Purchase a good cut of meat, boerewors and local beer from a Saffa shop – if your country doesn’t have one, consider yourself in the wrong country boet!

Clean up your garden area – slugs the size of small poodles and stinging nettles do not make up a big part of South African garden flora and fauna.

Light candles around the social area – it looks nice, and, well, the chicks dig it.

Build a separate (small) bonfire – use this to keep warm and to mesmerise fellow braaiers when words are not forthcoming. Chicks like this too.

Put on some South African music – Any SA music will do. Prime Circle, Goldfish, Arno Carstens are some suitable ideas. Stay away from Detroit techno for this one.

Wait for your friends to arrive – if there is one thing that’s true about a braai, once it’s in motion it generally runs like a bobsled covered in Vaseline, especially if you’ve taken the above steps into consideration.

Happy Braai Day and Heritage Day from SA PROMO!