The cultural importance of food

LUTHO PASIYA

Food is very important to the heritage and traditions across the cultures and religions in South Africa. It is used to celebrate, mourn, and even communicate with a higher power. What most of us do not realise is that the food we eat has a lot to say about our cultures.

THE connection between food and culture is a lot stronger than most think. We eat many types of food, not thinking much of it. But when we do, we usually have warm, fond memories of, perhaps, our grandparents or parents cooking our favourite dish after we had a bad day at school.

Whenever I devour umngqusho (samp and beans) or umvubo (dry pap mixed with maas), I always think about my dad, and how he makes these dishes so delicious. I think about all our memories in the kitchen helping him make the food.

For such reasons, plenty of dishes hold immense personal value to us. As we grow up, we often seek out these dishes because they now have value in our lives. Whenever we are feeling down, lonely, or simply need comfort, we prepare these traditional dishes to make us feel better.

While these dishes may bring great feelings of positivity into our lives, food also has cultural implications. Here are some of those implications.

EXPERTS reveal that humans recall memories more easily and clearly when they are attached to a physical sensation.

Food connects people

When you think about it, back in the days of our forefathers, eating alone was never something normal. Families and friends would gather together to eat. Well, even

in my generation it was something that still existed. But, today, with the way technology and work culture create physical isolation, eating alone is much more common but, even so, people seek out others to enjoy a meal with – to connect with.

Ingredients are very important

To understand a culture’s cuisine, one has to take a peek at what they can find in local markets or shops. Ingredients used tell us so much about people’s lifestyles and needs. A region’s climate also plays a role in the supply of certain ingredients. This way, every culture manages to establish its own flavour profile.

Food creates beautiful memories

Because we apply so much emotional importance to food at the moment, it only makes sense that it would also become an important part of our memories. Experts reveal that humans recall memories more easily and clearly when they are attached to a physical sensation as well as an emotional experience.

This colourful popcorn is a popular township snack. Generally found at taxi ranks and intended to be eaten on the move. Generally the plastic packets contain a red, yellow, blue, green popcorn mélange. | Pexels/Gonzalo Ruiz

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ON Heritage Day, also known as a braai day, South Africans are encouraged to celebrate the great diversity of cultures, beliefs and traditions that make up our nation. | Unsplash