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WORLD ANTHROPOLOGICAL UNION

CONGRESS 2024​

Paper

From Bite to Belonging: The Unifying power of Food

presenters

    Samiksha Dave

    Nationality: India

    Residence: India

    Dr. Harisingh Gour University, Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, India

    Presence:Online

Keywords:

Food, Social and Cultural identities, Belonging, Dismantling walls, Building bridges.

Abstract:

More than sustenance, Food is a vibrant thread woven throughout the entirety of human existence. It nourishes not just our bodies, but also our social and cultural identities, forming the bedrock of communities and shaping our place in the world. Arjun Appadurai, a renowned anthropologist aptly stated, "Food is a constant need but a perishable good," highlighting its dual essence: ever-present and ever-changing. From the moment we take our first breath, food shapes who we are, both as individuals and as members of a community. Culinary practices and beliefs are not merely about taste; they are potent symbols of belonging, reflecting internal structures and defining a group's place within the wider society. Yet, food also possesses a paradoxical power. It can erect walls between groups, creating a sense of "us" and "them" based on culinary traditions. Conversely, it can also dismantle these barriers, fostering connection and understanding across cultures through shared meals and rituals. The present paper discusses about food as a unifying factor for people belonging to the same or different cultures, region, religion or ethnicity. This paper argues that food is a powerful tool for social cohesion, capable of dismantling walls and building bridges. In India there are regional, religious or preferential food belongings exist, which give a unified feeling to the people despite of many social, cultural or geographical differences. For example: when an Indian Bengali person meets another Indian Bengali person anywhere, they can relate some kind of belongingness with each other without even knowing each other.