rysmier, noun

/ˈreɪsmiːr/
Forms:
Also rijst mier.
Plurals:
rysmiere/ˈreɪsmiːrə/, and (formerly) rysmieren.
Origin:
Afrikaans, DutchShow more Afrikaans, rys (Dutch rijst) rice + mier ant.
Bushman rice.
[a1884 E. Wiggill in J.K. Larson, Talbots, Sweetnams & Wiggills. (1953) 22These ants are about half an inch long. Their nests are underground, about the size of a bushel basket. Their nest is full of eggs, which the natives eat like rice; they call them ‘Race Mera’ (rice ant).]
1899 Cape Argus Weekly 27 Sept. 40The officials..would require a little elementary knowledge of natural history, so as to be able to distinguish between the genuine article (sc. locusts’ eggs) and other things approaching it in likeness, such as rice-ants, or ‘rijst mieren,’ tampans, ticks, or Kafir-corn.
1913 C. Pettman Africanderisms 402Rijst mieren,..The bodies of the Termites, which are so named, are not unlike a grain of rice, while their eggs resemble it more closely still.
1955 L.G. Green Karoo 104Having secured your rysmiere, throw them into lukewarm water and they will float. Other ants, which may be mixed with them but which are not so tasty, will sink. Dry the rysmier in the wind and grill in a frying pan. Keep the abundant fat which is given out, this is Namaqualand’s most valued ointment for sores, bruises and burns.
1975 W. Steenkamp Land of Thirst King 132Veld food of rather a different kind can be found in the termites known colloquially as ‘rysmiere’ or rice-ants. This used to be a popular dish, and never mind what you are told by Namaqualanders of one race or another who have risen to higher station and conveniently forgotten the armies of rysmiere which have vanished down their gullets.
1979 Heard & Faull Our Best Trad. Recipes 38Ants — Rysmiere...How do you serve grilled ants? Spread them on bread and butter.
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