The Role Of Indigenous Food
In simple
terms, indigenous catering is simply the offer of indigenous foods for regular
people to eat. Among the people in the community, at one time or the other in
their lives, some have been a part of an indigenous group of people from
another place or another time.
Today,
they might have mingled with the majority of the people in their present place
of residences. The memory of home becomes fainter and fainter as time goes on
with their present place of abode.
Refreshing
the connection
The offer
of partaking of the traditional indigenous foods, cooked in their original condiments,
made in their style of cooking and incorporating the original flavors of home
can be an invigorating experience.
Transplanted
from their old traditions, these indigenous foods bring back their heritage,
culture and traditions despite being away from their home communities. It
provides a taste of home for indigenous people, offering familiar flavors and
dishes that they may have grown up with.
Traditions
and heritage
Every
place on earth has each of their own traditions and revered heritage expressed
through their food, language and even in their manner of dressing. With the
diaspora of many people and races in every place in the planet, the taste of
indigenous food to bring all these up is always a welcome treat.
Catering
these indigenous foods can bring with it some true surprises. From delicious
meats cooked in the earth to the delicate flavors of native herbs and spices,
every dish tells a story.
Food
connection
As humans,
we all have a deep connection to food, especially those that we grow up with
and have come to deeply love and crave for in their absence. The memories of
home evoked in their flavors can make us feel safe and happy.
In truth,
there are a few things that can be more comforting than the familiar scent and
taste of our foods. This is the same for all places, although in many other places
indigenous foods are not recognized, acknowledged or being available.
Transformations
The
indigenous food shared on the table create a welcoming atmosphere for indigenous
people and set the table for transformation.
Meanwhile,
the serving of traditional foods sets the table for reflection, conversations,
relationships, and increased understanding around these culturally sourced
foods.
Land
Indigenous
people who rely on traditional foods for their daily meals gain a deeper
connection to the land. Eating in seasonal cycles with the food we know so much
connects us to what is taking place in the forests and seas around us.
When we are away from these foods it can sometimes
bring that feeling of disconnection. By providing indigenous foods, we bring in
a reconnection for indigenous people and
it is an act of reciprocity and reconciliation.
At the same
time, we can bring in that particular environment where everyone can reconnect
to the land through food.
Medicine
Among
indigenous people, there is a teaching that food is medicine. It combines the
natural preventative medicine and nourishment paired with the activity of
harvesting. Some even declares outright that food is medicine.
In this context, food is believed to nourish the body not only physically but mentally, emotionally, and spiritually as well.
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