THE CULTURAL RELEVANCE OF FOOD: SHAPING SOCIAL INTERACTIONS AND DEFINING COLLECTIVE IDENTITIES

Abstract

Food plays a pivotal role in shaping cultural identities, traditions, and social structures across the world. Beyond its primary function of sustenance, food is deeply intertwined with cultural values, beliefs, and practices. It serves as a symbol of community, heritage, and historical continuity, reflecting the social fabric of a society. Culinary traditions, rituals, and the sharing of meals are central to social cohesion and the transmission of cultural knowledge across generations. Food can also act as a medium for expressing cultural pride, resistance, and adaptation in the face of globalization. This paper explores the multifaceted significance of food in culture, examining how different societies use food to define themselves, celebrate their heritage, and navigate the complexities of modern life. Through an interdisciplinary approach, we will investigate the ways in which food reflects and shapes social norms, values, and group identities, highlighting the deep connection between culinary practices and cultural expression.

Keywords

culture, identity, food traditions, culinary, heritage, social rituals, symbolism of food, expression, globalization, transmission, trends, subsidies.