Photo by fauxels
Everyone must eat. No matter the skin tone or nationality, one factor that unites all of us to one shared commonality is our love for a good meal. Across cultures and social divides, food has always remained a distinguishing identity of every race of people. Essential to our sustenance, food can also open opportunities for learning and broadening our horizons of various societies, traditions, and histories.
The culture of food a society upholds offers a glimpse into the values being prioritized within the community. In Africa, a typical Igbo child in the Southeastern part of Nigeria understands that welcoming and accepting the presence of any visitor begins with an offering of “orji” (kolanut) followed by a prayer to his Chi (the being he worships) before being presented to his guest.
In other parts of the continent, a major determinant for the use of food is in its capacity to not just nourish communities, but to strengthen relationship bonds between families, to deepen norms, traditions, beliefs, and values as well and to transfer skills and knowledge to the next generation.
Food will always remain a veritable tool to foster cross-cultural relationships. Whether it be through romantic relationships as two lovers explore the uniqueness of their cultures at the dining table, or through cross-border trade where merchants and travelers have brought, exchanged, or combined ingredients and flavors even as they exchanged goods or transacted business deals over a meal.
Subsequently, such cross-border activities have opened up to larger international transactions where countries seek to deepen relations through what could be referred to as “culinary diplomacy”. This is where governments and institutions having understood the importance of using food as a tool to strengthen international relations seek to foster goodwill through food festivals and culinary events that spread awareness and appreciation of various cultures and peoples.
As aptly pointed out by Abdulgaffar Muhammad in his publication – Culinary Diplomacy: Unveiling the Palate as a Pathway to Stronger International Relations, he states that “Culinary diplomacy, an emerging facet of international relations, leverages the language of food to forge profound cross-cultural connections. This exploration delves into its multifaceted dimensions, highlighting its role in fostering global understanding, conflict resolution, and economic cooperation. Culinary diplomacy acts as a cultural bridge, facilitating dialogue and mutual appreciation that contribute to a more harmonious global community.
It offers a neutral platform for diplomatic engagement, transcending discord through shared gastronomic experiences. Economically, culinary diplomacy fosters trade relations, and economic partnerships, and strengthens diplomatic ties. It redefines traditional diplomacy, transforming dining tables into forums for cultural exchange and understanding.”
With the growing spate of food classes in the traditional and social media platforms, along with food festivals and events, food has become a universal language, offering a different perspective to everyone open to learning. Exploring different culinary cuisines not only offers the promise of a rich rewarding experience but also affords the privilege of being introduced to a whole new world and the way of life of different people.
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Okechukwu Nzeribe works with the Onitsha Chamber of Commerce, in Anambra State, Nigeria, and loves unveiling the richness of African cultures. okechukwu.onicima@gmail.com