An idea that was brought to light during plate 1 is the significant relationship between food and identity. While working alongside my group and Dr Hirini Kaa I had a moment of realisation. Although food has been essential to my wellbeing and enjoyment, the concept of food playing a part of my identity didn’t come as a surprise but a sudden awareness. As we formed the focus question ‘how has the tribal identity of Kai Tahu maintained its exemption from the ‘colonial rule’, and how do other cultures use food to reinforce or secure their identity?’ I too questioned myself, how do I reinforce my identity with food?
I realised it was the giddy feeling when you meet someone who enjoyed the same foods. The understanding that you have when you agree on the aroma that fills your house when your mother cooks. The plans to eat that particular dish that you both love. I registered it was a part of myself that I introduced to others, a part of my identity. In the reading Kai Tahu me te Hopu Titi ki Rakiura: An Exception to the ‘Colonial Rule’? There is the statement, ‘Kai Tahu elder statesman Sir Tipene O’Regan commented that ‘getting my tıtı…that was being Ngai Tahu to me’ [1]. I am sure almost all of us have a dish that makes us feel this way, whether it be a cultural dish, an original recipe passed down, or something you’ve been eating since you were a child.
Reference:
[1] Stevens, Michael J. 2006. Kāi Tahu me te Hopu Tītī ki Rakiura: An Exception to the ‘Colonial Rule’? The Journal of Pacific History 41(3):273-291.
Completely agree with your views on food and identity- in fact food can be a great friend making and bonding experience- how often do people bond over a love of something and make plans to go out and get the said food and/or drink?
For me, this dish will always be Wontons or Chinese food- and I love visiting my grandparents in the hopes of my Yaya cooking for me. But I can see that for others this is their Sunday roasts with their family, their coffees after school with friends.
While I totally agree with your belief in the connection of personal identity and food I also strongly support your implications of a social identity wherein food is a common denominator.
Reading your piece made me think of the scene in Ratatouille, when the critic has a bite of ratatouille and is transported back to his childhood!
It’s mind blowing how a seemingly trivial topic like food tells us so much about our identity. I was forunate enough to take food for granted, so the idea of it being significant never crossed my mind. The more I think about it, the daily interactions I have with food expresses my culural, religious and class identity.
The dish that has the ‘trasportation-effect’ on me will always be Sikhye – a Korean traditional rice punch – the bucket loads my grandma makes every time I visit her. What we eat doesn’t always determine one’s identity, but the story behind the food is what does.
Your piece really, really filled me with all the lovely memories I’ve had with my grandparents and how they taught me how to cook my first meals. Its definitely one of my earliest memories and I think it’s definitely helped me understand my roots. Also food is apart of my identity when I introduce myself to other, I almost, always, ask, “whats your favourite food?” to everyone I met because I feel like you can really get to know someone when they tell you their comfort foods and why and its just a warming experience.
So many people bond over food and it’s so cool how identity is formed around certain ingredients, how they’re put together and how they’re served.