Culture and Food

We are all connected by a universal language; despite our cultures or backgrounds, there is a powerful tongue that transcends all linguistic barriers: food. A medium for bonding, a symbol of tradition, and a celebration of identity, food surpasses its role as just simply sustenance. It is deeply enmeshed in many traditional festivals and customs passed down for generations, an heirloom of cultural beliefs and values. 

Like most heirlooms, food is profoundly intertwined with emotion. When stressed or anxious, people often seek comfort in familiar foods that evoke nostalgia. Communal eating is also a practice that fends off sadness or loneliness, connecting us with a feeling of belonging while building solidarity with our community. Sharing moments over a meal can form fond memories and bring people together. Food reconnects us with ourselves and our identity when we are far away from home. Like a compass, food guides us to explore our identity, our cultural background, who we are, and where we come from. Every cuisine is unique, and our traditional foods tell us a story about our ancestors and their values. The ingredients used, the manner of preparation, and the name all allude to the social and historical factors that combined to create the dish. Some countries even have a national dish to celebrate their rich history and legacy in association with the nation. In Singapore, the national dish is often said to be 'chicken rice’, because of its longstanding ties to local tradition and hawker centre culture. 

Food is also a huge part of festivals and celebrations. These moments are shared among family and friends as they embrace their heritage, traditions and customs. Some traditional Japanese weddings include a tea ceremony to commemorate the union of a couple. Oranges are an auspicious symbol of wealth and good fortune among people who celebrate Chinese New Year. Similarly, the traditional dishes prepared during festivals bring us closer to our culture and community. 

Food extends beyond its smell and taste, presenting itself as a holistic experience and a valuable artefact that represents ourselves, our history, and our connections with those around us! 

Written by: Sangeetha

04/2024

References

Barone, F. (2021, March 4). Craving comfort: bonding with food across cultures. Human Relations Area Files - Cultural Information for Education and Research. https://hraf.yale.edu/craving-comfort-bonding-with-food-across-cultures/ 

Evans, S. (2023, July 19). Food as culture: Cuisine, food customs, and cultural identity - SLO Food Bank. SLO Food Bank. https://www.slofoodbank.org/food-as-culture/#:~:text=Food%20is%20considered%20a%20part,vital%20parts%20of%20cultural%20heritage

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Nah, C. (2023, July 20). How Chicken Rice Became Singapore’s National Dish. EatBook.sg - Local Singapore Food Guide and Review Site. https://eatbook.sg/chicken-rice-history/ 

Tantoku Garden Original Tea Ceremony | Tantoku Garden Wedding. (n.d.). Tantoku Garden Wedding.  https://wedding.tantoku.jp/en/plan/chakonshiki/#:~:text=Marriage%20ceremony,of%20prosperity%20for%20the%20descendants 

The cultural significance of mandarin oranges. (2020, February 24). Malaysia. https://www.monash.edu.my/news-and-events/trending/the-cultural-significance-of-mandarin-oranges#:~:text=Mandarin%20oranges%20have%20always%20been,it%20a%20very%20auspicious%20fruit