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SECTION 7 South Asia


Eating Etiquette Due to cultural and sometimes religious reasons in Paki- stan, during public gatherings and parties, men and women generally eat separately, as traditional gender norms are still practiced there and often with restricted opportunities for women outside the home.27 In many street eateries in Pakistan, food is served on a


takht, in a style similar to that found in Iran and Afghani- stan. A takht is a raised platform on which people eat their food while sitting cross-legged without shoes. In rural areas, people sit on the ground to eat; dining tables are more common in urban areas. Many families, particularly in rural Pakistani areas, eat their meals served on a cloth known as a dastarkhan that is spread out on the floor. Muslims are forbidden to eat or drink with their left


hand, as shaytaan (Satan) eats and drinks with his left hand. Te right hand is for purification and food, and the left hand is for using the toilet and other tasks that are consid- ered dirty.


Special Occasion Foods: Celebrations and Holiday Foods Most Pakistani holidays and religious observances involve feasting for celebrations.28


Sheer khurma is a creamy milk-based pudding made with vermicelli and traditionally served on Eid.


On Eid ul-Adha, Muslims who can afford it sacrifice Te major Islamic religious cel-


ebrations, addressed in Chapter 29, are the two Eids: Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan with a feast that lasts up to 3 days, and Eid al-Adha (also known as Eid al-Azha). During the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast for 30 days and do not eat or drink from before sunrise until after sundown. Te fast is broken at the time of the evening prayer, mostly with dates, sharbats, and pakoras. Pakistan’s Independence Day, celebrated on August 14, marks the country’s independence from British colonial- ism and commemorates the declaration of Pakistan as an independent state.


One of the most popular celebratory dishes made is


known as sheer khurma (a traditional sweet festive vermicelli dish cooked with milk, nuts, dried dates, and raisins). Te day is spent visiting relatives and friends and sharing gifts and sweets. People enjoy the festivities, eat out at restaurants, or relax in city parks. On Eid, a sweet dish made from very fine roasted


pasta called seviyan is cooked in every home. It is con- sumed as a snack, usually for 3 days in most homes, and is served to guests.


a sheep, goat, camel, or cow. Te meat from the sacrifice is distributed among the poor and relatives or friends, and naturally, eating meat is an important part of the festival celebrations. Green lamb curry with mint leaves and mughlai lamb curry are famous dishes served on these festive days.28 Most Pakistanis are Muslim, and in the Islamic culture


it is customary to give sweets to commemorate special events, such as weddings, festivals, religious celebrations, and the birth of a child. During celebratory occasions like Eid, the consumption of sugar, butter or cream, and eggs increases. Sweets are also popular during the Hindu holidays and celebrations of Diwali (Festival of Lights) and Holi (Festival of Colors); see Chapter 27 for more about Hindu holidays.


Current Food Practices Immigrants typically bring their food practices with them as they settle in a new country; for Pakistanis, many traditional dietary practices are healthful. Over time, access to a greater variety of food and changes in economic status, as well as acculturation, typically impact traditional food practices, especially for those whose everyday lives are integrated into the US mainstream. Tat said, Pakistani people living in the US tend to continue with their Pakistani eating habits— including regional food habits—or are influenced by similar South Asian food habits.


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