When individuals think of rice, it is normally just thought of as a common food item that is consumed by many cultures around the world. However, little thought is put into the cultural context that rice may have within these cultures. The cultural significance of rice can be seen through the agricultural practices employed throughout the world and through the importance that rice has within certain rituals and traditions. Many cultures around the world have been cultivating and growing rice for thousands of years and continue to do so today. This is especially true in Asia; according to Britannica, “Roughly one-half of the world population, including virtually all of East and Southern Asia, is wholly dependent upon rice as a staple food.”