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- Convenor:
-
Ajay Kumar Jha
(A N Sinha Institute of Social Studies)
Send message to Convenor
- Discussant:
-
Suresh Prasad Singh
(Chanakya National Law University)
- Track:
- Producing the Earth
- Location:
- Alan Turing Building G205
- Sessions:
- Friday 9 August, -, -
Time zone: Europe/London
Short Abstract:
The food as it is available and as it is consumed has a huge impact on the shaping of native culture of a particular region. Elements of cultural construct are directly built on the agricultural produce and the pattern of its consumptions there.
Long Abstract:
The food as it is available and as it is consumed in a given geographical area has a huge impact on the shaping of native culture of a particular region. Elements of cultural construct are directly built on the agricultural produce and the pattern of its consumptions there. In fact, the pattern of food habits of the natives determine the cultural nuances in both subtle and more profound ways, One can therefore argue that it eventually ends up constituting the critical mass of a culture. It is not surprising therefore that the locally available food which has been produced there for centuries gets neatly linked up with the cultural mores of the habitants there. Day to day eating's apart, there are various ceremonial occasions in every culture where food gets huge priority The cooking of food items and its style and way of presentation, they all get hooked up with the kind of availability food produce in the area.
Accepted papers:
Session 1 Friday 9 August, 2013, -Vibha Agnihotri (Nari Siksha Niketan PG College, Lucknow University)
Paper short abstract:
Present paper explores that how Religion and dietary practices act as a binding force for a particular community . Various religious groups include food as a vital and inherent component of the expression of their faith.
Paper long abstract:
Regulations and norms governing. food practices may vary from one belief system to the next. Yet the role of food in binding a religious community together is fundamental to all. there are various ceremonial occasions in every culture where food gets huge priority Fasting is a familiar hindu practice usually considered to be 'praying with the body'. It is believed to improve spiritual discipline - by overcoming the sensations of the physical world and focussing on prayer and spiritual growth. there are various ceremonial occasions in every culture where food gets huge priority
Marion Wettstein (University of Vienna)
Paper short abstract:
Applying a detailed ethnographic approach, this paper examines the relation between the meaning of food in the everyday life of the Rai in Eastern Nepal and its relation to the meaning of food in their mythology.
Paper long abstract:
In the steep valleys of Eastern Nepal, producing and consuming food is a central theme in everyday life throughout the year and determines a large part of each day through work, conversation, and ritual. The attitudes of the indigenous peoples of the region, the Rai, towards their food and the way they handle it, is mirrored in their mythology. This paper examines the relation between the meaning of food in Rai mythology and its meaning in everyday life.
Delving into one of the major Rai myths - the establishing of society through the cultural heroes - the food related topics and sequences will be carved out and compared to their relevance in everyday life: Reaching from the experience of hunger, the punishment for spilling food, the ripening of wild fruit through magical power, hunting and gathering, the discovery of farming and fishing, the magical pestle-stone bride, the feeding of the ancestors, as well as ritual feasting.
Applying thus a detailed ethnographic approach, it will be shown step by step how and in what way the process of food production, the outcome of specific dishes and drinks, and the manners of and attitudes towards eating and drinking among the Rai of Eastern Nepal are rooted in their ancient mythology, and therefore in a deep-time memory and knowledge of the landscape and the natural habitat and its utilisation and transformation though man.
Ajay Kumar Jha (A N Sinha Institute of Social Studies)
Paper short abstract:
The food items of Mithila region can be viewed as having a huge impact on the cultural pattern of this area.There are many items of food which are intricately associated with the local traditions, festivals, marriage and other rituals of day today life.
Paper long abstract:
The food items of Mithila region can be viewed as having a huge impact on the food habit,life-style and cultural pattern of this area.There are many items of food which are intricately associated with the local traditions, festivals, marriage and other rituals of day-to-day life.These food items, in fact, have constituted the core of cultural life of Mithlia area in India for centuries.Among the various food items one can look into items such as dahi (curd),makhan,leaves of tilkor,fish,milk,chura (flattened rice),rice, paan(betel),leaves of arkonch,etc.These food items are cooked and prepared with much ethnic flavour which often turn out to be prepared in a different way.Obviously,these items are either easily found or produced or grown with much interest.The cultural pattern interestingly also explains in good length the type of relationship which exists among differeent sections of society in the area..