In the Muslim household women were responsible for the cooking and childcare. They would store water in large jugs, drawing from them as and when they needed. Oil and grain were also stored in such containers, and smaller ones were used for preserved fish, meat and fruit. They used milk to make dairy products, prepared meals using traditional recipes and cooked on charcoal stoves. Food was often served on tableware, especially at family parties, a chance for women to show off their culinary expertise.