Indian Food Culture in Malaysia (PDF)

NDT2124 Food Culture Food Habits of the Indians in Malaysia Dr Sharmela Sahathevan [email protected] Lesson Outcome 1. To explain the influence of religion on food habits of the Indians and Indian Muslims 2. To explain the origins and influences on food habits of the Indians and Indian...

NDT2124 Food Culture Food Habits of the Indians in Malaysia Dr Sharmela Sahathevan [email protected] Lesson Outcome 1. To explain the influence of religion on food habits of the Indians and Indian Muslims 2. To explain the origins and influences on food habits of the Indians and Indian Muslims 3. To describe food avoidance among the Indian community 4. To discuss the influence of culture on food practices during traditional festivals 5. To discuss the food habits of the Indians in relations to nutrition Diversity of Malaysians Bumiputera - 19,150,900 (61.8%) Chinese - 6,620,300 (21.4%) Indian - 1,988,600 (6.4%) Others - 270,700 (0.9%) Non-Malaysian Resident - 2,965,300 (9.6%). Source: Malaysia 2016 (Department of Information Lesson Outcome 1. To explain the influence of religion on food habits of the Indians and Indian Muslims 2. To explain the origins and influences on food habits of the Indians and Indian Muslims 3. To describe food avoidance among the Indian community 4. To discuss the influence of culture on food practices during traditional festivals 5. To discuss the food habits of the Indians in relations to nutrition Influence of Hinduism on food habits of Indians Traditional the vegetarianism is widespread in India due to respect to all living creatures However, many Hindus eat meat nowadays Milk is considered holy food : milk , curd, cheese is huge part of the diet Proteins need to be consumed through beans and lentils Generous use of spices Some avoid garlic and onions Influence of Islam on Food Habits of Indians Eat many form of meat-based dishes Introduce method of grilling meat Usage of nuts and dates in dessert preparation Halal food Common dishes Capati / roti Rogan josh Briyani Kebab tandoori Influence of Islam on Food Habits of Indians Some common dishes Influence of Christianity on Food Habits of Indians The influence of Christianity can especially be observed in the state of Kerala Consumption of meat and introduction of cooking method such as baking by the Christians is clearly noticeable in the cuisine of Kerala. The influence also seen in Calcutta and Goa. : cuisines incorporated European traditions such as baking rum- cake on the occasion of Christmas in Calcutta. Influence of Jainism on Food Habits of Indians Concept of Ahimsa Diet consist of Wheat Rice Lentils / pulses Oil seed Eat after sunrise and before sunset Avoid root vegetables & liquor Lesson Outcome 1. To explain the influence of religion on food habits of the Indians and Indian Muslims 2. To explain the origins and influences on food habits of the Indians and Indian Muslims 3. To describe food avoidance among the Indian community 4. To discuss the influence of culture on food practices during traditional festivals 5. To discuss the food habits of the Indians in relations to nutrition Indian Food Culture Food culture differs upon Region/ State Caste Language Characteristic Rice & wheat based Rich usage of spices Usage of coconut milk, dairy products Usage of lentils, beans Development influenced by Hindu & Jain belief Region North West East South Central Popular in Malaysia is North and South Indian cuisines North Indian Food Chapati Main Paratha Rice Dhal Side Fried Vegetables Curries Dishes Curd Chutney Kheer Desserts Rasamalai Gulab Jamun South Indian Food Rice Idli Main Dosa/Thosai Dhal Sambhar Side Dishes Rasam Vegetables (curried/dry) Curd (pachaidi) Payasum Desserts kesari Mysore Pak Caste Previously different people in different caste system practiced different food intake The caste system which was believed to be categorized into different types of work done, influence food selection Eg those of warriors tend to eat more meat based diets Language Language influence was closely related to the region the individual is from. Thus the food different according to the region Influence from Ayurveda Ayurveda also categorizes food into 3 categories Satvic Rajasic Tamasic Influence from Ayurveda Ayurveda perceives food in six tastes Sweet Salty Sour Bitter Pungent Astringent Each taste has balancing ability : complete nutrition, balance appetite & digestion, minimize cravings Influence from Ayurveda Sweet Sour Salty Milk Lime Salt Butter Citrus Pickles Cream Tamarind Ripe Fruits Unripe Rice fruits Honey Mango powder Influence from Ayurveda Bitter Pungent Astringent Greens Chilli Beans Fenugreek Black Lentils tumeric pepper Tumeric Ginger Cruciferous mustard veg Types of Indian Food Cereal / bread Capati Paratha- roti canai Parboiled rice Cereal / bread Variety rice- lemon rice, tamarind rice, yogurt rice, sweet rice Cereal / bread Idli, Thosai, upma, puri, puttu, Milk, cheese, yogurt Curd Paneer Lassi Moru Eating Habits and Table Mannerism Eating with Hands Indians traditionally use the fingers to eat Eating with hand is considered important Person knows the exact temperature of food Only right hand is used Left hand is allowed to be used when using serving spoon Eating on Banana leaf Clean banana leaf is used because Hygiene purpose_leaf contains antimicrobial properties Presences of trace amount of magnesium & zinc Biodegradable Fold the banana leaf when done with the meal Banana leaf is folded inwards for festivals; outward for sad occasion such as funeral Lesson Outcome 1. To explain the influence of religion on food habits of the Indians and Indian Muslims 2. To explain the origins and influences on food habits of the Indians and Indian Muslims 3. To describe food avoidance among the Indian community 4. To discuss the influence of culture on food practices during traditional festivals 5. To discuss the food habits of the Indians in relations to nutrition Food avoidance Depends on religion Hindu Muslim Christians Jain Beef Non halal food Depends on Root Alcohol Different vegetables denominations Meat, poultry Lesson Outcome 1. To explain the influence of religion on food habits of the Indians and Indian Muslims 2. To explain the origins and influences on food habits of the Indians and Indian Muslims 3. To describe food avoidance among the Indian community 4. To discuss the influence of culture on food practices during traditional festivals 5. To discuss the food habits of the Indians in relations to nutrition Open House Concept in Malaysia Unique Feature of ‘Open House’ Concept / Rumah Terbuka An "open house" is a concept where all are welcome without any formal invitation to join in the festivities Deepavali / Diwali Festival Of Light All celebrants wear new clothes, share sweets and snacks Deepavali Traditional vegetarian food is served All celebrants wear new clothes, share sweets & snacks Chickpea flour, rice flour, semolina, various beans, lentils & grains, squashes, carrot, thickened condensed milk, yogurt are normally used as base ingredients Cashew nuts, almonds, pistachios or raisins are added And silver / gold leaf Deepavali Snacks & Sweets are important part of Deepavali food traditions On the occasion, ladoo is special significance because it is considered auspicious to offer ladoo to Lord Ganesha Vaisakhi Double celebration to mark the harvest festival and Sikh New Year. The festival bears a great significance for the Sikhs due of the fact that on the Vaisakhi Day in the year 1699, the 10th Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh laid down the foundation of the Panth Khalsa, that is the Order of the Pure Ones Celebrated by Buddhist, Hindus for different reason At Vaisakhi/ Baisakhi, the feast commences with Sikh celebrants visiting the local gurudwara. After prayers, the celebrants have communal Vaisakhi meal at the gurudwara called the guru-ka-lanmgar or the community lunch. Vaisakhi People sit on the floor with the heads covered and a completely vegetarian meal is served. The most common Baisaki food is sarsoon ka saag or fresh mustard greens served with makki di roti or unleavened corn flatbread. Other popular dishes that are served at home - pindi chana or chickpea gravy - wheat flour laddus - dry fruit kheer or rice puddings - carrot halwa The meal is usually followed by sweet semolina pudding called sooji ka halwa. Navarathri Vegetarian food is served for 9 days Similarity with 9 days Gods festival The Festival of the Nine Emperor Gods falls on the 9th day of 9th moon in Chinese lunar Calendar Thaiponggol (Pongal) Thanksgiving celebration at the end of harvest festival Pongal (Sweet rice is served) Lesson Outcome 1. To explain the influence of religion on food habits of the Indians and Indian Muslims 2. To explain the origins and influences on food habits of the Indians and Indian Muslims 3. To describe food avoidance among the Indian community 4. To discuss the influence of culture on food practices during traditional festivals 5. To discuss the food habits of the Indians in relations to nutrition  Table 2. Prevalence of 5 NCDs according to ethnicity, gender and age (percentage). Teh JKL, Tey NP, Ng ST (2014) Ethnic and Gender Differentials in Non-Communicable Diseases and Self-Rated Health in Malaysia. PLoS ONE 9(3): e91328. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0091328 http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0091328 Disease Prevalence among Malaysian Indians Indians had the highest prevalence of DM and CHD 4 times more likely to have DM & CHD Indian males with highest prevalence of DM, had lowest life expectancy Nutrient intake The mean intake of iron among Malaysian adults was about 10.7mg Orang Asli had the least iron intake (5.5mg) followed by Indians Among ethnic groups, Indians showed the lowest intake of vitamin C (45mg). MANS 2008 THANK YOU Dr Kanimoli Arasu for sharing her slides