Mari, I really don't know if I can answer your question to your satisfaction. The Captain stated part of what I would have posted.
Food traditions are a way of maintaining and unifying a culture. The ingredients are usually easiest to find in that particular area, and/or a particular ethnic group or groups add aspects of their culture to make something new.
Down here the food tradition comes primarily from a combination of African, French, Spanish, and Italian; that is evolving further with the emerging importance of Vietnamese food culture. So traditions can be tweaked over time.
People can be at each others' throats about things, but sitting down to a traditional meal of chicken and sausage gumbo, served with French bread, is a point where the factions can relax and enjoy things for at least a while.
Don't know if I'm getting my point across. It's been a hard day and I'm very tired.
Thanks for taking the time to reply. I liked this discussion, thanks to everybody who joined, including SCaroline Z. But none of you answered the posed question "why?". Food traditions are a way of maintaining and unifying a culture. The ingredients are usually easiest to find in that particular area, and/or a particular ethnic group or groups add aspects of their culture to make something new.
Down here the food tradition comes primarily from a combination of African, French, Spanish, and Italian; that is evolving further with the emerging importance of Vietnamese food culture. So traditions can be tweaked over time.
People can be at each others' throats about things, but sitting down to a traditional meal of chicken and sausage gumbo, served with French bread, is a point where the factions can relax and enjoy things for at least a while.
Don't know if I'm getting my point across. It's been a hard day and I'm very tired.
I'd say there is misunderstanding from both sides. Food is present in every ritual there is - point taken. Food traditions existed since ancient times - goes without saying. Food tradition is way to unify & maintain the culture - in what way? If there wouldn't be single food tradition, say, for Americans & would just eat what they usually cook in the family, no turkey & mirliton at Thanksgiving, just anything they'd like, can't the factions still relax & enjoy things? I don't see what difference the food could make. It may accompany us during making important decisions, f.ex. if the 2 fighting camps decided to sign the treaty & there was food & drink, in what way could that food influence the decision, play any role?
Italian food tradition is pasta, they serve it in restaurants & it's authentic. But what does it say? It just shows Italian culture, defines Italy, that's it. But these people could eat anything. Remove any food tradition, would it bring their lives to hell? Ditto any other country. As such, the "importance" you talk about regarding food seems like overstatement. I really don't see that traditions in food bear significance. How it became tradition to eat this & that dish during this & that holiday & why is questions I'd like the answers to. But thank you anyway.