Food for me is...
Food is a huge part of someone’s culture
It is universal
Food helps people come together
Share stories and opinions
It gives the opportunity for experimenting with flavours
Food can make you feel at home if you are away
Smell and taste are such strong senses
That they can take you somewhere else
Eating in a group helps children learn table manners
Relative to their own cultures
Food can be taught
Recipes can be passed down through generations
Food is also about balance, eating in moderation.
Poem by Von, Ivy and Amy
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How It Feels When I Cook
I love to sing when I cook
Shaking the salt to the beat of the music like a cocktail
I love food and feel happy when cooking
My taste buds are popping inside my mouth with excitement
The smells are fusing together
I miss my Mum when I cook
I miss when my Mum would cook for me
But my heart is shaking
Happy
When I cook
It is like a scientific experiment
Sometimes explosive
Sometimes colourful
But always unique!
By Milli, Maw Maw, Christina, Agma and Mariam
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Food for Special Occasions
On the special occasions such as children’s birthdays
Eid festivals and anniversary parties
I like to cook different tasting foods
Then I like decorating after cooking
When I was a child I like cultured milk
Ice cream and fruits
A really ripe mango reminds me of a far off place
Of happy memories
By Margaret, Sue and Chipo
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When I feel poorly
When I am sick I have hot soup
Simple food is good when you are ill
We have lots of rest and lots of sleep
Drinking orange juice
I miss going out when I am poorly
I ask for help from others
Porridge is good when hot
You can make a light porridge with oats, rice and wheat
By Suhana, Fatemeh and Kirsty
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First Food experience
Being a part of a conservative society where women and ‘girls’ are meant to be the ornaments in the kitchen, but coming from a family where I was the only girl child, surrounded by brothers “KITCHEN” itself was a nightmare to me.
I still remember the 1sttime I entered my kitchen to ‘cook’ the very special food, preferably a traditionally popular meal the ‘momo’. Momo is a dish made up of plain flour dough and minced meat (buff meat) with especial spicy pickle curry. I ended up wasting a kilo of flour because I didn’t know how to knead and prepare dough and also couldn’t find a way out to chop and mince meat. It was hilarious. I was actually covered with the white powder (flour) not knowing how to cook, but my want of cooking helped me learn cook though. I have to admit that my mum and aunties scolded me at first but couldn’t stop laughing hysterically later. That was then and here I am now. Alone in UK and cooking for myself well 8 years has taught a lot. I can say I am a good cook now, but I do miss being pampered.
That was my life time experience. I can’t really bring back that time, but definitely cherish forever.
Agma M.
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First Food experience
Back at home my mum did most of the cooking, and I have never imagined I will do the cooking myself. When I came to the UK I miss kichafifit which is cooked with flour and butter. So I decided just to buy some butter and prepare it in a way it will taste like our traditional butter. Then I stand to make kichafifit, and I take some fresh bread and cut it into pieces. Then I buttered the bread and added pepper, and it tasted great, even though not all of the ingredients were right. It takes me back to the memory where my mum cooked for me and I thought about how I took this for granted.
Cooking for the first time in the UK made me cry, as I missed my mum, especially when she cooked. Now when I cook for myself I always think of my mum, and she would be proud of the traditional Eritrean meals I can now make, and also the UK food I have learned to make.
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Voices of Womenhood
Composed at the Laing Art Gallery 04/12/2010-12-06 by Members of the Aspens Women’s Culture Project with the help of singer/songwriter Keith Gregson and set to the tune of the Hebridean work song ‘Ho Ro Haradal’
Chorus
Voices of Womanhood
Voices of Womanhood
Voices of Womanhood
Speak across the Ages
Voices of Womanhood
Voices of Womanhood
Voices of Womanhood
Speak across the Ages
Working when their man’s at war
Working till their hands are raw
Working home or fact’ry floor
All across the Ages
Hoping men come home from sea
Hoping for equality
Hoping for a world that’s free
All across the Ages
Singing like a woman should
Singing for the common good
Singing songs of sisterhood
All across the Ages
For more on the tune and performance suggestions, contact Keith via his web site www.keithgregson.com
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Monday 6 February, 2012
6th February 2012 International Day of Zero Tolerance to FGM
The Foundation for Women’s Health Research and Development (FORWARD) is conducting a national survey on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) among young people in the UK in collaboration with the University of East London. FGM has started to receive some attention in the UK; however, the magnitude of the problem has not been adequately assessed due to the absence of comprehensive studies on prevalence. The aim of the national survey is to improve understanding of the nature, experiences, and attitudes of young people on FGM with a view to establishing the extent of the practice and perceptions of young people
If you are a young person aged 13-25 and FGM is a relevant issue your community please take part to the survey:
The survey can be accessed at the FORWARD website: http://www.forwarduk.org.uk/lip-service-survey By taking part in the survey you'll also stand a chance to win a £20 Amazon voucher.
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