Abstract
The notion that no culture is sacrosanct is informed by the understanding that there are cultural contacts enabled by mobility. Migration serves as a route for the transfer of tangible and intangible phenomena between a migrant’s place of origin and a new space. These transfers are directly or indirectly effected by migrants who move with every aspect of their lives. Food, including recipes, ingredients, preparations and even consumption stands as a strong cultural phenomenon and a strategic cultural identity construction. Banga, a traditional soup is peculiar to, and widely treasured by, the Niger Delta ethnicities of Urhobo and Itsekiri in South-south Nigeria. It is made from palm kernels and essential local spices including taiko, iregeje, benetete, bitterleaf, yanyan. The soup is prepared and thickened in a special native clay pot. The spices and other essentials sourced from the Niger Delta are prized by, and in demands among, migrants who relish the taste of home culinary. This is an ethnography among Urhobo and Itsekiri migrants in London, United Kingdom. Findings reveal that aside satisfying their culinary desire, the preparation and consumption of Banga serve as a strategic connection between the migrants and their homeland. The consumption of Banga contributes in tackling the challenge of cultural ambivalence especially in matters of culinary tastes, preference and consumption prevalent among migrants away from their homeland. The paper concludes that culinary spices, recipes and food are important variables in the discourse of identity politics, and the understanding diaspora-homeland relationship.
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
BANGA SOUP, NOSTALGIA, DIASPORA, HOMELAND, CULTURE
