The individuals I interviewed expressed their Foodways in a variety of ways. Foodways incorporate what we eat, how we eat, from whom and from where. Their Foodways differed from one another because they are from different parts of the words. Hearing them discuss their Foodways made me question my own. The two men I interviewed were Nelson from Burundi and Abdul from India. One could tell that their backgrounds helped shape their answers because they differed greatly. For Nelson, a change in his Foodways happened when he came to America. Women in his country would traditionally make the food because of gender norms. Since coming to America, he and his wife have shared this responsibility. In America, we have followed similar gender norms when …show more content…
It is a way for them to connect to their native culture. They do this by teaching their children how making traditional food. Their introduction to American food was brief as they have chosen to eat traditional food. Food and identity are closely linked to our lives revolve around food. The decisions we make about food impact our relationships with others. Choosing to sit around a table and have a healthy meal is how Abdul and Nelson express their food identity. They choose to do this because this is all they have ever known. The way I express my food identity is going to be different from the way Abdul and Nelson express theirs. This is because our cultures have taught us that certain foods are right and …show more content…
By never cooking for other people in their community they are going down a path of social exclusion. These men are trapped in their own bubble because they refuse to venture out. Having family in the US and making traditional food makes them feel closer to each other. These connections to other family members are crucial to their mental well-being. In the beginning, it's hard for refugees to travel from state to state due to lack of funds. Therefore they don't have an immediate reunion with their family members. By cooking with other refugees in their own community they could help reduce this burden. Connections with others are what helps us thrive as humans. A lack of connection is not helpful, especially for