All over the world cultures identify themselves by three major elements: common food, shared faith (or non-faith), and family. In parts of Africa, religious practices (Christian, Islamic, and traditional) surrounding food affect both food production and cyclical demand for particular foods or the elimination of particular foods during feast times1. In the U.S. (pre-C19), whole denominations are known for potlucks, Sunday lunch, and Wednesday suppers. Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, Jews, and Muslims hold to specific dietary practices all over the world2. Indigenous people often celebrate harvests with feasts dedicated to their gods.3 Food rituals are part of every major religion; from breaking the Ramadan fast with figs to the symbolism of the Christian Eucharist to the celebratory feasts of Jewish Rosh Hashanah and Purim to the varied traditions of Hindu Diwali, food plays a central role in remembrances and celebrations4.
These same celebrations also bring together families. In most countries around the world, faith beliefs become cultural practices, and those cultural practices become standards for family size and gatherings. Muslims, Hindus, and Roman Catholics are most-likely to live in multi-generational households or have large families, while Jewish people worldwide have the smallest households.5 However, household size doesn’t matter when it comes time for feasting. Universally, religious gatherings mean people coming together to eat. 6
That’s the premise of this site. My focus will be primarily my family, my faith, and the foods we eat, but over time I hope to branch out and experience the foods and traditions of other families and faith groups. Sometimes I’ll share restaurant experiences. Other times I’ll highlight good home cooking. Whatever comes along, I will share my journey of learning what happens at the intersections of food, faith, and family.
References
D’Haene, E., Desiere, S., D’Haese, M., Verbeke, W., Schoors, K. (2019, May). Religion, food choices, and demand seasonality: Evidence from the Ethiopian milk market. Foods. 8(5): 167.
Published online 2019 May 16. doi: 10.3390/foods8050167
McCaffree, J. (2002). Dietary restrictions of other religions. The Business of Dietetics 102 (7)
LaPier, R.R. (2018, June 15). How Native American food is tied to important sacred stories. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/how-native-american-food-is-tied-to-important-sacred-stories-97770
(2020, October 21). Diwali: What is it? Newsround. https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/15451833
Pew Research Center (2019, December,12) Household patterns by religion. https://www.pewforum.org/2019/12/12/household-patterns-by-religion/#christians
University of Missouri, (n.d.) Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity: Dates, practices, and accommodations. https://diversity.missouri.edu/guide-to-religions/dates-practices-accomodations/