Niger Sultana (Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University)
The Rangamati Hill District of Bangladesh is the home of the ethnic minority people known as the Chakma. During my visit to Rangamati in February 2021, I observed the ways in which the majority (Bengali) tourists ordered one local Chakma dish popularly known as ‘bamboo chicken and traditionally known to the Chakma as huro chumo. Why does bamboo chicken especially appeal to outsiders when compared to other Chakma dishes? In my paper, I will draw upon folklore studies and anthropological research on foodways and examine how ethnic food is transmitted at the boundaries between majority and minority societies characterized by “differential identity” and how food sharing reflects cultural hegemonies.
Part of 07-14 Sounding Board 2: Foodways, Saturday, November 04, 8:30 am–10:00 am