The Heavens and Food   

                Ambrosia of ancient Greece gave immortality to the Gods which allowed them to govern mankind.  The Golden Apples in Norse Mythology that allows the Nordic Gods to stay alive and immortal to rule mankind. Peaches of Immortality in Ancient China, Yams for the Igbo Tribe(Nigeria) is used to honor the Earth goddess Ala. In the Abrahamic faiths, food is used as a form of governance with foods considered "unholy" and "holy", there is even a particular way to prepare food and animals. Humans, who do not prescribe to such governance, negatively affect their chance to enter heaven.
        Food is a material and symbolic representation of culture; it allows people to communicate values, attitudes and identities. Delicate and Rare cuisine is associated with high social ranks in society. Cooking and Hospitality create opportunities for dialogue and often the first step towards diplomacy. .  
         Gastrodiplomacy is an edible soft power, unlike other soft power examples; you can drink, eat, touch and smell it. The new diplomatic language of the 21st century diplomat is- Does the world speak and understand your country’s cultural diplomacy?  In addition, how does your country use cultural diplomacy as a national brand tool?

Examples of Countries that appreciate Food in the conversation of Diplomacy:  South Korea "Global Hansik"or Kimchi Diplomacy, Malaysia Kitchen, Global Thai (Thailand), Peru Mucho Gusto (Peru), Have you checked out the Nordic Movement in Food? Nordic Food Diplomacy (Norway/Sweden/Denmark)

CASSAVA DIPLOMACY: GASTRODIPLOMACY

The identity of Africa is often painted with negative representation through the many forms of media. This negative representation is portrayed in western spaces and spaces in the east such as South Korea, China and Japan.  Africa is always portrayed as primitive, chaos and one disaster waiting to happen form the last previous disaster still happening. These images and narratives make it extremely difficult to picture a vibrant food culture of Africa. It makes it close to impossible to believe that food from Africa is tasty, delicious or appealing. Africa is home to tropical cuisine with a diversity in vegetables, fruits and spices like no other continent. It is home to rich succulent tomato based dishes, spicy stews, fluffy grains, sweet savory fried plantains, steamed sweet savory fresh corn tamales(Koki Corn), grilled beefs and chicken dishes with spices that dance in your mouth and so much more. Food is just one of many branding tools in Cassava Diplomacy available for African countries.

 

ESE & SEGYE will launch a Cameroonian-fusion restaurant, Keeka & Lisu in Seoul, South Korea with the goal of using food to promote dialogue and promote overall Bantu culture. We are still in the very early stages of planning.

Until next time,