UNIT

3

Rice and Spice

Introduction

Rice and spices are part of everyone’s life in Southeast Asia.

Most children consume them every day as their main staples. Yet, there is much more to them than their gastronomic value. They inform many aspects of identity, social organization and traditions in Southeast Asia.

Using the example of these very widespread commodities, the “Rice and Spice” unit examines the economic, social, cultural, and political importance of rice and spices over several centuries.

Students will discover:

Lifeways, practices and traditions of different Southeast Asia communities and how they have evolved over time and space.
Ways in which rice and spices, and food cultures in general are linked to spirituality, class structure, and social relations, and inform peoples’ sense of place, history, culture, identity, and interconnectedness.
How traditions travel and evolve over time and space.

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