Food Uses as Kitchen Medicine: Patterns, Practices and Gender Differences in Thoubal District, Manipur
Author : Ningthoujam Reemi Devi, Dr. H Jinibala Devi and Dr. S Shyamkiran Singh
Abstract :
This study explores the intersection of gender dynamics, culinary traditions, and medicinal knowledge within the Manipuri cultural context, with a focus on the disparities in culinary knowledge and kitchen medicine between men and women. In the traditional Manipuri household, culinary skills are predominantly passed down from mother to daughter, while men are culturally restricted from engaging in domestic cooking, often under the belief that such involvement threatens their virility. However, during large ceremonial feasts, men assume the role of both chefs and culinary artists, challenging this gendered boundary in specific ceremonial contexts. The study investigates how these gendered roles shape the understanding and use of kitchen medicine, particularly the preparation of medicinal herbs and other ingredients with therapeutic properties. By utilizing a mixed-method approach, including qualitative tools such as participant interviews, semi-structured surveys, and expert discussions, the research highlights the differing levels of expertise in food production and its medicinal applications among men and women in both urban and rural settings. The study employs multi-stage sampling to ensure a diverse representation of respondents, with a focus on the Thoubal district of Manipur, and adapts various analytical frameworks to assess the factors influencing gendered culinary practices and medical knowledge. The findings aim to contribute to a deeper understanding of how gender roles in food preparation and the use of medicinal plants inform the health practices and cultural traditions of Manipuri families. The study's insights into the conservation of traditional knowledge and its relevance in modern society provide valuable perspectives on the role of gender in the transmission of culinary and medicinal expertise.
Keywords :
Culinary, tradition, kitchen medicine, ceremonial feast, medicinal knowledge
