Every day, between work and sleep and lectures, I put food into my mouth. It’s an important event, and has been across all of humanity’s existence. I rarely think about it, but what we eat and how we eat it speaks volumes about our culture and beliefs. Berdyaev tells us that as soon as you go beyond just providing sustenance for your own body (“a material question”), you form a relationship with others, a moral code, a value system: “a spiritual and religious question.” Competition or cooperation? Who is included? Who serves? One vital human characteristic is our need for social engagement, so we build communities around eating. In organised religion or at Auckland Uni pizza nights, sharing a meal is a way to connect; for my family, it’s an oasis in our busy lives.
Food also shapes our community structure and attitudes. Historically, people in the North Island could grow food in one area, and so distinct a hapū-iwi structure formed, whereas this wasn’t possible in the South Island’s colder climate, so tribes were migratory and intermixed. The history of tītī harvesting shapes the identity of its followers today and becomes a springboard for rights discussions and an insight into traditional techniques. In China, I noticed people were more willing to be creative with food around them (cheese drinks, roasted grasshoppers, bamboo, eating all of the pig or duck). My generation values efficiency in an overpopulated world, and therefore we often bolt takeaways down or eat in the car. So a people’s cuisine really represents more than just food: it’s a window to their culture, their mentality, their worldview.
References:
- Quote by Nikolai Berdyaev, as referenced by Dr Nicholas Thompson
- Kāi Tahu me te Hopu Tītī ki Rakiura: An Exception to the ‘Colonial Rule’? The Journal of Pacific History Vol 41 Issue 3, Michael J. Stevens 2006
So true. Of course, in New Zealand and in our own cultures, we don’t just eat food because it’s there. Rather, our diet is shaped by a vast collection of preexisting geographic, social, cultural and physical conditions. Sharing meals was one of the key adaptations that helped humans evolve as social beings into a dominant species on earth. So it makes sense that we look out for each other, building communities around eating, or that instead perhaps that we guard food jealously. (Also, pizza at every single Auckland Uni event makes so much more sense now. Not only is pizza cheap and easily accessible, but it’s good for the student soul).
“You are what you eat!”
I was waiting for someone to use this title, and with the context of your blog it’s all the more fitting that you did!
During the week, in the heat of school and community commitments, I too chug down whatever’s available without a second thought. Living away from home, it’s even more challenging to eat with my family and friends. You could be surrounded by tables of other students, but still feel alone during meals, be it toast or pizza.
To consume is a human necessity, but so is to build meaningful connections and bonds. Hence, in this generation of efficiency, what better way to kill two birds with one stone, than to promote events/ study groups/ and talks with the promise of food afterwards? (Plus, you can’t blame an awkward silence on anybody if your mouth is full)
As you’ve pointed out, food truly is a window to someone’s culture, mentality and worldview. But it is also a mirror, in which we can reflect upon our own culture, mentality and worldview and see the similarities we all share.
Your blog has definitely been an interesting read, so thank you!
But, I’d like to ask you the most important question of all,
do you like pineapple on your pizza? 🙂