Food Cultural Identity and Development

Written by: Makhosi Mhlangu

Food is an important tool in societal development. It affects the physical and psychological wellbeing of individuals. Societies with high levels of development have managed to control their food chains through amplification of food systems. This has involved documentation and control of genetics of their local foods linked to them. In Africa it is difficult because the people controlling the genetics are not in the know of the prowess in their hands. This is mostly rural women, youth and the general populous in rural areas. They are the custodians of indigenous food systems which have not been developed from a governmental view and from the various research institutes. The development of a food culture involves documentation and improving indigenous genetics, amplifying current food production levels, sustainable harvesting, involving science in local food production systems and strategic & visionary thinking. Our forefathers had functioning food systems which were heavily rooted on five major pillars that is: Food, Art, Architecture, Fashion and Traditional Health system.  

Breaking down the five pillars  

Food involved the various seasonal foods which were often stored for consumption during lean times. There was a wide variety of foods that was offered by nature such as underground tubers, indigenous fruits, and insects to mention a few. There was a heavy dependence on basic food processing techniques such as sun drying, smoking, radiation, and fermentation.  

Art involved the designs of the ornaments required to prepare and consume food. The gourds used to collect milk. The wooden plates to dish the meat.  Food presentation is an art form that we miss. In restaurants, we pay for presentation and atmosphere. It was interesting to know that the packaging for Domino’s Pizza costs more than the Pizza itself. It is the artistic mind that made the potato into mash, roast, chips, croquettes, and hash browns. It is also an ingredient in so many recipes. This creates variety and food to the eyes, before its food in the mouth. We have our own foods that we can prepare in different forms and present. There are new dishes that are hitting the culinary mainstream such as African dishes like Jollof rice and regional foods like amaqebelengwana and umgqusho to mention a few. African dishes still have not undergone many great transitions with the plating techniques still heavily rooted on commensality. The new plating techniques being developed by futuristic Africa chefs such as well renowned Chef Njathi Kabui and Chef Rubia Zablon are fusing traditional African meals with modern culinary trends. We have a role to play in documenting our own and sharing it with our future generations to preserve the culture and identity in food. Commensality remains our greatest strength in terms of developing the new African food model. 

The third pillar involves fashion which was mainly animal hides. The tanning processing was vegetative which used locally sourced barks and trees. There were so many festivities that took occurred during our grandparent’s era with events such as Inxwala, (first fruits), umbuyiso (memorial), umtshado (wedding) and several other festivals. These events were donned by numerous apparel which were linked to that particular event. Different festivals had different dress codes, with numerous different hides being used by the African society. Kings adorned sacred birds like the Lilac-breasted roller. The Italian food systems is heavily intertwined with the fashion industry. Development of a functional food industry will also require a drastic movement in the fashion avenue. 

The fourth pillar is Architecture which involves the round huts with a strong emphasis on the kitchen which was controlled by the woman of the household. The kitchen played a pivotal role in uniting the family through food. Other buildings like the granary were important in food security. We can consider designing more restaurants that sell our foods. Take for instance the BOAMA in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. You go there for the food, entertainment, and atmosphere. It is a Tourist attraction, listed as one of the activities when you visit the Falls. The centre of it is food. The setting allows for entertainment and Scenery. The architecture is heavily designed from typical African households using clay and the basis of the scenery. The internal design has a strong African architectural feel to it. The future African restaurant should be developed using these designs in mind, offering sustainability with the lowest carbon footprints. 

The fifth pillar is Traditional Health System. The Traditional Health System gave us wellbeing through guiding us and offering medicines that made individuals stronger. Some foods were medicines. There were also numerous festivities were food played an important role in these events. Traditional Doctors used a combined system and use of nature as a healing mechanism. The medicines came from the forest treating numerous ailments. The current sedentary lifestyle has proved to be detrimental to the modern African with new diseases such as diabetes and coronary heart diseases. There has also been an increase in diseases such as depression which are mostly psychological diseases affecting the new African generation. Traditional Doctors also made us strong psychologically through the numerous dances. During our forefathers dancing was a form of exercise. Modern medicine comes with side effects. There needs to be a shift towards a system that involves embracing a new and the old traditional health system involving organic & sustainable food systems and consumption of local foods. It is a sad reality that we despise our own herbs, becoming ambassadors of foreign herbs. If we can draw back to the five pillars and infiltrate them into modern day way of life develop and as a people by us for us. Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu langezenzo zakhe (A person is a person through other people and through his actions. 

Developing the new food systems will require us adopting the 5 developmental pillars which involve food, art, fashion, architecture, and our Old Health System. Ultimately Spirituality is an important phenomenon in societal development. Healthy minds often lead to the development of healthy minds which can design functional food systems. 

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