The many faces of food 0
Canadian author and historian Margaret Visser has a wonderful book called Much Depends on Dinner. It was one of her early works and does not contain nearly as many helpful citations as her later books like The Geometry of Love. Nevertheless, the topic is a winner– hmm, “breadwinner”.
Food and meals in sacred contexts came on a discussion list I participate in. Led to this wonderful page entitled, “Food and Eating: An Anthropological Perspective”. Check out some of the chapter titles. I’m sure there is something of interest (e.g. Tables and Table Manners).
“Freud’s theory* of the “sacred meal” may appear somewhat bizarre, but his concern with it was not misplaced. The sacred meal is of crucial importance in many religions, including the “advanced” ones. We are all familiar with Seder and Holy Communion. The latter derives from an actual meal — the Last Supper — but has much older roots. It goes back to the idea of sharing a meal with God, which some scholars see as the root idea of sacrifice. This develops further into the idea of eating the god to gain his strength and virtue. The Aztecs made huge loaves in the shape of the gods, and these were thrown down the temple steps to be devoured by the multitude. Human sacrifice and cannibalism come to linked again in the idea of the sacred meal, with the supreme food being
used — human flesh.”
*The ban on eating the totem animal among primitive tribes. This, he suggested, was a memorial to the primeval sin of killing and eating the father. The totem animal came to represent the father, and so could not be killed and eaten, except once a year when it was killed and eaten ceremoniously.”
On the pretzel:
“Believe it or not, the humble pretzel is actually Lenten Food. First baked in the fourth or fifth century, the pretzel was invented partially as a result of the strict Lenten fasts of the time. Faithful Christians used to give up all milk, butter, cheese, eggs and meat during Lent. Eventually, tiny breads were baked using only flour, salt, and water to remind people that Lent was a time of fasting and penance. The small rolls of dough were lengthened and then twisted into the shape of two arms crossed over a person’s heart, because that is the way people used to pray, rather than holding their hands together like we do
today.
These breads were called “bracellea” in Latin, meaning “little arms”. The Germans adapted the recipe and the name, and thus it has come down to us in English as “pretzel”. Some families place a pretzel on each person’s plate throughout the meals of Lent while saying a short prayer, as a reminder of this ancient custom.”
For more information on this topic, be sure to check Food Notes.