Food and Identity in Nineteenth and Twentieth Century Ghana: Food, Fights, and Regionalism

This book explores the relationship between cooking, eating, and identity in Ghana's major eco-culinary zones, using the political economy of Ghana as an analytical framework. It demonstrates how traditional food production structures cope with global capitalist production, and how land, climate, and weather shape food consumption and affect the separate traditional and capitalist production sectors. Despite centuries of trade with Europeans, the cultural weight of regional traditional foods, their power to satisfy, and the overall collective social emphasis on the 'proper meal' have persisted in Ghana.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 319 pages
Publication date: 13 January 2023
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This captivating book delves into the intricate connections between cooking, eating, and identity within the diverse eco-culinary zones of Ghana. Drawing from extensive research spanning several years, the author has meticulously explored Ghanaian culinary history and cuisine, employing fieldwork, archival research, and interdisciplinary approaches. The political economy of Ghana serves as a robust analytical framework, guiding the exploration of critical questions. How do traditional food production structures in Ghana navigate the challenges posed by global capitalist production, distribution, and consumption? How do land, climate, and weather shape food consumption patterns, and in turn, impact the distinct sectors of traditional and capitalist production? Despite the historical backdrop of the post-World War II food fight that played a pivotal role in Ghana's quest for independence from the British empire, the book reveals the enduring significance of local foods and cooking in shaping the national character of the country. The cultural weight of regional traditional foods, their ability to satisfy, and the collective social emphasis on the "proper meal" have persisted throughout centuries of trade with Europeans. This book holds immense appeal for scholars in food studies, comparative studies, and African studies, while also captivating students with fresh perspectives. Its rich content and insightful analysis make it a valuable contribution to the field.

Weight: 440g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030884055
Edition number: 1st ed. 2021