Finding Traditions in Food

I have written before about how we have a huge problem in our culture in the modern world. This problem is the fact that we have no historical traditions any more surrounding food.

No big culturally important meals; no national recipes; no family meal times.

These problems have arisen due to the technological and cultural changes we have experienced as a species: fast food; the Internet; lack of skill and ability; less time; refrigerators; and more.

Of course there are many places where such traditions of food remain strong, notably those where traditions in other parts of life have maintained a hold on the community. Religion is one key facet here.

I do not refer only to meals for religious purposes such as the Jewish Passover meal, but to the tradition itself of breaking bread with others which permeates all global religions as one of the simplest ways to do good for others.

My thoughts immediately go back to 2018, when I spent a period of time in northern India. I wanted to experience more of Sikhism as a religion for I knew very little about its teachings and practices, and was fortunate enough to be welcomed on one occasion by a local Sikh temple.

Here, three times daily, a group of volunteers will prepare meals en masse from local vegetables and legumes, making curries and serving them with various flatbreads, all made within the grounds of the temple. 

Anyone who wishes to receive food can do so, free of charge, in the company of hundreds of other followers of the faith, sat together in one central hall in the temple. Three times a day, every day, for many, many years.

While this specific tradition is almost entirely reserved for religious purposes, it just highlights how food preparation, cooking and eating can still today be something with a history of purpose and meaning, and helps inspire an attempt to reignite other traditions yourself.

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