Ethnography of a Meal-- Food, Identity and Time - 3516 Words

Anthropology Ethnography of a Meal-- Food, Identity and Time Is there a correlation between food categories and social categories? This essay seeks to critically evaluate Delaneys (2010: 259) assertion that food categories also correlate with social categories. In order to evaluate this claim, it is therefore necessary to explain what it means. In addition, the evaluation of this claim, in an anthropological context, needs be conducted through the research method of an ethnography of a meal. My argument will use the ethnographic experience of a Shabbat meal with David Horowitzs family to assess this assertion and whether it could be applied and verified through the interactions which occurred around food at this meal.†¦show more content†¦In light of the above interactions, by incorporating specific gender roles into this familys Shabbat meal; food, its preparation and the rituals and behaviours initiated by this meal deepened the intricacies and levels of this familys identity-- in other words, the notion of food and its link to the social category of a religious and familial identity was emphasized th rough the gender roles each family member was required to play, as per the religious tradition surrounding the meal and the food being eaten. 18 minutes before sunset, which is the start of the Sabbath, the Horowitz women lit eight cream-white candles. The significance of eight candles, Dave explained, is that they represent each family member at the meal. The women also said a blessing over the candles to mark the start of the Sabbath-- this is a point which I will explore later in terms of how food, religion and a familial identity relate closely to concepts of time. However, let us return to the atmosphere created once the candles were lit: they gave a serene yellow atmosphere to the dining room which we would later eat in. And, during the meal, the candle flames flickered from the breath of each family member as they sang in Hebrew to Helen, thanking her for preparing the meal. At this time, I noticed the detailed yarmulkes worn by the men at the table. I suddenly realised that this was much more than any Friday night meal that I was used to-- To illustrate Delaneys (2010:Show MoreRelatedA Family Day At Los Angeles1525 Words   |  7 Pageswas either family or a family friend, all of whom grew up in a Salvadorian home with a Salvadorian food culture. While at this gathering I noticed that there was one family member who seemed not to be eating any of the food that was set out, she seemed to be using caution with any of the food she did eat. This was startling, it seems that everyone else at this party would fill their plates with food and even come back for seconds and yet there was this one member of the family who only got enoughRead MoreDoes Religion Affect Home or School?2427 Words   |  10 PagesAbstract The study sought to develop an understanding of identities related to eating patterns between eating at home and school. The study showed different cases to see if religion had an impact on if individuals eat differently at home than in school. The main source of information used in this study was gathered on the campus of Northeastern Illinois University in 2005. Ninety one students were asked questions pertaining to their nationality, religion, ethnicity, work, family generation /Read MoreThe Myths of Cultural Globalization Essay3502 Words   |  15 Pagesand what they actually do or mean is often a very different matter. Good ethnography combines detailed empirical research with larger political and philosophical questions. The anthropologist, who goes into the field for an extended period of time (on average 12-18 months), attempts to take the perspective of the people he/she studies and represent his/her findings to a wider audience. The resulting ethnography is a translation, shifting between the perspective of the cultural insider andRead MoreCultural Influence Of The Meiji Era On Japanese Food Culture2559 Words   |  11 Pagesanthropological account of my chosen meal event, which is my experience of dining at the ‘Meiji’ restaurant in Osaka, I will use a mixed-theoretical approach which is influenced by Mintz’s (1985) Sweetness and Power to show how material conditions and symbolic representations of food are interrelated. Firstly, I will look at the historical influence of the Meiji Era on Japanese food culture (Anderson 2005; Hiroko 2008). I will then look at gender in Japanese food culture, specifically how masculinityRead MoreBrand Preference of Gym Enthusiasts on Energy Drink Products14209 Words   |  57 Pagesto be alive, most of the people are all busy in working to support all the needs and wants of their family. So the energy drink product could be very helpful for them to give them energy especially if they are so tired. But the question is how many times a re they drinking energy drink? Does it affect their attitude or their behaviour? We can also conclude that some of them are being addicted with the product or not. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM This research entitled â€Å"Brand Preference of Gym EnthusiastsRead MoreGoogle Organizational Culture9872 Words   |  40 Pagesembodiments in artifacts (Kroeber and Kluckhohn, 1952). More specifically, culture consists of traditional values and beliefs, ideas, customs, skills, arts and language of a specific group in a given period. Culture provides people with a sense of identity and an understanding acceptable behavior in the society. In the twentieth century, â€Å"culture† emerged as a concept central to anthropology, encompassing all human phenomena that are not purely results of human genetics. Specifically, the term cultureRead MoreEssay on Marketing Strategy for Marks and Spencer Food13771 Words   |  56 PagesI will analyse to create marketing strategy on Marks and Spencer food mainly Indian ranges, and look at other such as Italian range, Eastern cuisine range, and British regional food ranges and. The Indian range would be ready to eat/cook food. I will be creating marketing strategies on Marks and Spencer’s food as to meet the customer needs and to analyse in ways I could meet the strategies successfully. The ready to cook food would be invented for the simplicity to people and to break into Read MoreArt as an Embodied Imagination22095 Words   |  89 Pagescomments, and useful suggestions. Finally, the authors thank V. Baba, who is the source of inspiration for this article. For orchestrating many beautiful experiences in museums around the world, this one’s for you! more 1999; Schmitt 1999), so it is time for consumer researchers to revisit Kant’s question, â€Å"How is experience possible?† In deï ¬ ning the noun experience as â€Å"the apprehension of an object or emotion through the senses or mind† and the verb to experience as â€Å"to participate in personally;Read MoreArt as an Embodied Imagination22095 Words   |  89 Pagescomments, and useful suggestions. Finally, the authors thank V. Baba, who is the source of inspiration for this article. For orchestrating many beautiful experiences in museums around the world, this one’s for you! more 1999; Schmitt 1999), so it is time for consumer researchers to revisit Kant’s question, â€Å"How is experience possible?† In deï ¬ ning the noun experience as â€Å"the apprehension of an object or emotion through the senses or mind† and the verb to experience as â€Å"to participate in personally;Read MoreStreet Children17655 Words   |  71 Pagesthis senior essay; and I am grateful to each one of them. Assefa Melka, my advisor, I am thankful to your friendly advise on my work and free offerings that you provided me with. I wish you more success. Eteteye, my the now single mother, when every time I think of your optimal effort to provide ‘all of us’ with each and every needs wants of our lives, I run out of words.. Ete, I have no words to explain my gratitude which emancipates from the corner of my heart. Emu Chaci, I am looking forward