Promoting cultural diversity through food
As one way of promoting local cultures, Sungani Zakwathu Heritage Association in conjunction with Warm Heart Cafe in Lilongwe have organised a Malawi Cultural Heritage Food Festival. During the event, various traditional foodstuffs that represent various cultural groups in Malawi will be exhibited and appreciated by culture enthusiasts. According to the organisers, the exhibition is planned with the aim of promoting local cultural foods among Malawians. Our arts editor EDITH GONDWE caught up with Mfune for details. Excerpts:
Q
: If mistaken, this is the first time I am hearing such a festival. Can you please introduce the event?
A
: The culinary traditions exhibition also known as the Local Food and Drinks Exhibition is where food or drinks unique to particular indigenous groups of people are exhibited and appreciated by the target audience and others. And this is exactly what we plan to do with our planned event.
Q
: What exactly will take place during this event?
A
: On July 23 people from all 10 cultural heritage associations will display part of their unique food and drinks at the Warm Herat Cafe from 11am to 3pm so that patrons can taste and appreciate the cuisines and drinks.
Q
: What is the core objective of the festival?
A
: The objectives are many. We want to create a space for our cultural heritage associations in the country to come at one place to appreciate what other indigenous groups proudly identify with as their food and drinks and how it is prepared. We also want to use the platform to promote cultural diversity and understanding amongst all people as you know that food brings peace, love and unity amongst people at household, community or any gathering even if they might have other differences. This exhibition also brings food to urban-based indigenous people who rarely visit their respective homes to appreciate the food which they are identified with. We also want to promote the local foods and drinks as viable cultural tourism products. Many visitors go to different places to appreciate the cultural life of such destinations and local food and drinks are part of such products.
Q
: What tribal or local foods should people expect to sample during the event?
A
: Local food and drinks for exhibition from each association will be in many varieties like you have never seen or heard before.
Q
: Who is behind this and who are you working with?
A
: The exhibition is being organised by Sungani Zakwathu Cultural Heritage Association in partnership with the Warm Heart Cafe, but in close coordination with the representatives from the cultural heritage associations themselves who will bring and prepare such local food and drinks, some of which will be for sale.
Q
: Any other information?
A
: We will also have some traditional dances to spice up the event. Depending on the success of this event, we are planning for bigger exhibitions at a spacious place within Lilongwe in September and another in Blantyre in October this year.n
