Resources and impacts to SI food and culture

BY ELLISON VAHI

THE country’s agriculture, farming and food culture did not have a widespread beginning.

According to reports from the ‘solomonislandsculture- resource’, very few plants and animals are indigenous to the land.

Through the years the country’s agriculture and farming has expanded due to settlers, oceanic agriculture and world influences.

Therefore, due to our resources and impacts the islands have adopted a European influence in foods and culture.

While the history of the country starts about 30,000 years ago, over the years, settlers brought a variety of foods, aside from what the surrounding waters had to offer.

Coconut is one of the staple foods of the islands and is believed to have been grown prior to the settler’s arrival. Coconut has made its way to the islands by water current and has become part of the eatable goods.

Students being made aware about the importance of our local foods

The coconut is used for its water, milk and flesh; becoming one of the most essential foods of the island diet.

The diet on the islands has been constantly changing with the waves of people that welcome the land.

This creates an increasingly diverse selection of plants and animals, including taro, sugar cane, rice, yams, pork, sea food and more.

The European influence is extremely specious, however old diet traditions are still noticeable among our locals.

Despite natural traditions, new restaurants with different ethnic backgrounds are constantly opening up and gaining popularity, both by foreigners and locals alike.

The European tradition of coffee, tea, bread, fruit or sometimes fish or rice for breakfast is prominent among the inhabitants of the Solomon Islands.

Lunch is traditionally the biggest meal of the day, which is an experience that can last up to a couple of hours and is typically enjoyed at home.

However, this is not a practice that is followed by all. In addition, most of the traditional foods are served with rice as a base and taro is used to prepare the food in a variety of ways.

Taro and yams are staples of the South Pacific diet. Also, Tapioca is commonly included into the diet.

Drinks are usually made with kava root. Kava root is known for its relaxing effect however it is not considered a drug.

Avoidance of tap water and drinks made out of tap water are obvious due to potential contamination.

Dining custom on the Solomon Islands is usually much unplanned; slowness is common and understood.

No main custom roles are followed, but you should eat what is offered to you and no more than another guest. Meals are a social practice.

In the meanwhile, although the country did not start with a broad range of resources and traditions, those aspects have grown over time due to settlers and worldly influences.

In regards to the food culture, Solomon Islands have adopted a significant similarity to European values.

Now, the Solomon Islands are a place of variety and collaborations. If travellers would like to enjoy the unique relationship between Native and European culture, then the Solomon Islands is the place visit.

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