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Cheyanna Hart
Dr. Robert Murdock
English 1001 (018)
5 September 2013
Food Taboos Around the World
There are many ways of life that all humans practice or have in common. All
humans must have and do certain things in order to survive. All people must have food,
water, and shelter. Even though all people need the same things to survive, how they go
about obtaining food, water, and shelter is vastly different. Although all people around
the world must eat to survive, many of them eat very differently. For many people, food
is the most important essential and they will eat whatever by any means necessary. For
others, many foods are restricted from their diet and they would rather starve to death
than to go against their beliefs. There are many different reasons for these dietary
restrictions. Some of these restrictions are considered to be taboo. There are many food
taboos around the world. What exactly is a food taboo? A food taboo is defined as food
and beverages which people abstain from consuming for religious, cultural, social or
hygienic reasons. I was shocked to find how many kinds of food taboos there are and
also the very many different reasons for these food taboos. Religion, cultural difference,
and bad consequences are the main reasons for food taboos.
Religion plays a huge role in the way people think. Many people morals and
beliefs are based on their religion. Some people simply live their religion. There are quite
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a few food taboos associated with different religions and their beliefs. I respect the fact
that people around the world stick to their beliefs, even if they are very different from
other people. Judaism is the religion of Jews. Followers of this religion cannot eat pork.
Pigs are considered to be unclean and unfit for eating. Shellfish such as lobsters, oysters,
and crabs are not to be eaten either. Any animal from the water has to have fins and
scales to be considered acceptable for eating. Meat and dairy are never to be eaten
together, so cheeseburgers are out of the Jewish diet. There must be a three-hour time
span between the time of eating dairy and the time of eating meat or vise versa. I can’t
imagine living by all of theses dietary rules. Rodents, reptiles, and insects are forbidden.
Anything Jews are allowed to eat is considered kosher.” Kosher laws dictate that you
must not eat the blood of any animal, the sciatic nerve, the limb from a living creature, or
an animal that has died without a ritual slaughtering.” The Jews follow these rules
because the Torah says so. They do not question the Torah and they would never go
against it. (“Religious Laws: Taboo Foods In Judaism” 1)
Another religion with food taboos is Hinduism. The Hindus view their religion as
priority to everything else including their own lives. They would rather become
impoverished than break the rules of their religion and their beliefs. Cows are sacred to
the Hindus. This is strange to me because in America cow is a very commonly eaten
animal. They are often even worshiped. The cow is considered one of the seven holy
mothers because she provides milk. The cow also plays a large role in the Vedic. The
Vedic is the Hindu idea for humanity. The cow is very helpful to the Hindu people’s
economy by providing a fertilizer. Social standing is another factor that plays a role in the
Hindu diet. Priests and other members of the priestly castle will not handle meat, fish, or
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eggs. (Holy Animals and More: Taboo Foods in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism” 1)
Hindus also cannot drink alcohol. “Intoxicants are plainly said to put a person's mind off
the natural course and, hence, puts the person into more passion and ignorance. Alcohol
and narcotics are, therefore, forbidden and will not enter the household of a traditional
Hindu family. “ (Meyer-Rochow 8) To me Alcohol is just a common type of drink for
people who like the taste or want to have a good time. The religion of Islam also contains
food taboos. Like Hindus, Muslims don’t eat pork. Muslims also won’t eat birds of prey
or bear meat. Any meat they eat must be non-ritually slaughtered. Alcohol is frowned
upon in the religion of Islam because it interferes with prayer time. Processed foods are
also taken out of the Muslim diet because of the harm they can do to your body. (Engel 1)
Jainism, a religion from the Indian subcontinent, also follows a food taboo
lifestyle. Jains are forbidden to eat meat, fish, eggs, honey, and fig. These items are
forbidden to promote their nonviolent lifestyle. “Every act by which a person directly or
indirectly supports killing or injury is seen as violence, which creates harmful karma.”
They believe in this nonviolent lifestyle so much that they will not cook during hours of
darkness because bugs will be attracted to the light of fire and be killed. I would never be
worried about killing bugs. Along with many other people in America, I find bugs to be
gross. “During some specific fasting periods in the Jain religious ‘Panchang’ calendar,
Jains refrain from consuming any green colored vegetables such as okra, leafy
vegetables, etc.”(“Jain Food Restrictions” 1) Jains also refrain from eating garlic or
onions during the ‘Panchang’ calendar because it is said to increase sexual desires. (“Jain
Food Restrictions” 1)
Contrary to many other religions, the religion of Christianity believes that it is not
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what goes into you that make you dirty, but what comes out of you instead. “There is a
story in the Bible about food choices. Some people were arguing about the correct way to
prepare for a meal. They were concerned about being unclean. So they asked Jesus what
he thought. Jesus told them “Nothing outside of you can make you dirty by going into
you. It is what comes out of you that make you dirty. What is outside does not go into the
heart. It goes into the stomach. Then it goes out of the body.”
[Bible - Mark 7:15-22]”
(“Food Taboos” 1)
Buddhism is another religion with taboo food laws. In this religion it is always
considered acceptable for fish and meat to be consumed. It is encouraged for all Muslims
to be a vegetarian though. I don’t really relate to this because it is not widely encouraged
for Americans to be vegetarians. Meat is advertised often in the US. “As long as a monk
is not seen or suspected of killing the animal, the meat can be eaten. One eats merely to
sustain the physical body, hence he should eat without greed, without craving for any
kind of food, and without direct involvement in the killing. As long as a monk is not seen
or suspected of killing the animal, the meat can be eaten. One eats merely to sustain the
physical body, hence he should eat without greed, without craving for any kind of food,
and without direct involvement in the killing.” (“Religious Dietary Laws” 1) Although
meat can be eaten, “Buddha advised the monks to avoid eating ten kinds of meat for their
self-respect and protection: humans, elephants, horses, dogs, snakes, lions, tigers, boars
and hyenas. Some animals attack people when they smell the flesh of their own kind.”
(“Religious Dietary Laws” 1)
Culture is another large reason for food taboos. Culture changes immensely
around the world. No two cultures are ever exactly the same. Why are all cultures
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different? The different resources that are available and different survival techniques
make up the different cultures. For example, in China, there are seasonal food taboos.
Leek, an onion like vegetable, can only be eaten in the winter and spring it is said that
leek will bring dizziness and poor vision if consumed in the summer. Dog is another food
that is only allowed to be eaten in the winter. Dog is considered to be very nutritious to
the Chinese culture. I do not agree with people eating dogs. To me a dog is a beloved pet.
I would never eat someone’s pet. In China, it is never okay to eat a fetus. No matter what
animal it is from. (“The Food Taboos” 1) Asia is good example of a culture that uses
different resources to survive. It is normal to eat camel meat in Asia. It is also very
normal to eat fried or grilled spiders. Spiders contain a lot of zinc and iron, so Asians
consider them to be good for nutritional reasons. (“Get Your Grubs On Around the
World” 1) Spiders are considered to bee a scary creature in America. You wouldn’t find
them as a dish in most households.
The Nigerian culture food taboos separate children from adults. Children are
never allowed to eat meat or eggs. They may never have the gizzards of ducks. Only the
elderly are allowed to eat the gizzards and thighs of ducks. There are even separate
taboos for pregnant women. Pregnant women are supposed to refrain from eating snails,
milk and eggs. “Women tribals of the Ika Division are forbidden to consume porcupine
as that is thought to cause a delay in labor. Interestingly, the opposite (an easy delivery) is
expected from some pregnant Urhobo women, who have consumed food leftovers from a
rat.” The men in Nigeria have food taboos as well. Men are not supposed to eat snail,
porcupine, or sheep. They also should not eat beans because the beans are connected to
stomach disorders. (Meyer- Rochow 7) There are also many other tribes in Papua New
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Guinea. These tribes have food taboos. In the Onabasulu tribe it is believed that all
sicknesses derive from food. “Stomach ache sufferers must avoid juicy fruits, such as
watermelons, pawpaw, cabbage and the introduced pineapple.” (Meyer- Rochow 5) I can
relate to this because anything I’ve eaten and gotten sick right after, I won’t eat that
specific food anymore. Women are thought to be always sick because of their monthly
menstrual cycle. “Because of recurring menstruations and are not allowed fresh meat,
juicy bananas and all fruits of the forest of red color.” (Meyer-Rochow 6) Adult women
cannot eat fish and pregnant women cannot eat eggs. “In the Kiriwina (Trobriand)
Islanders, pregnant women, too, have a considerable amount of food taboos to observe:
fishes that lead a cryptic life or like to attach themselves to corals are not to be eaten by a
pregnant woman, because this might cause her to have a complicated birth.” (MeyerRochow 6) There are even tribes in the Amazon who have adopted food taboos.
“Indigenous people in the Amazon consider food such as certain fish, monkeys, tapir,
caiman, some turtles, wild pigs, and numerous fruits to be most taboo when a woman is
pregnant until the infant’s navel are healed from after birth.” (Sigala 1) A tribe in Asia,
Orang Asli, also has food taboos. For this tribe human flesh is to never be eaten and any
animal that is a pet is also always protected. Small lizards and leeches are also off limits
because they are considered to be unclean. “The crow is thought to be poisonous and is
rarely eaten. Likewise, any small, crawling animal living in or on the soil is usually left
alone for fear it might be dangerous. “ (Meyer- Rochow 4)
American culture is very different from all other cultures. Most things eaten by
the Chinese, Asians, Nigerians, and tribes around the world would not be socially
acceptable to eat in America. Unlike the Chinese, most Americans would never eat a dog.
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Dogs and cats are viewed as pets in America. Rodents are looked at as filthy and disease
filled creatures. Most Americans would not eat any rodents. Insects and spiders would
most likely be out of the question to be a part of the diet for Americans. Most Americans
view spiders as creepy and dirty, not as something they would want to eat. Eating dolphin
meat or horsemeat would be considered inhumane in America and many people would be
offended by the thought of this. Horses are along the lines of a pet or a companion in
America. Americans do not fit into any other culture. The reason for this is mostly a
social thing. Everyone else usually frowns anything that anyone would consider different
or unappetizing upon at that point. American culture has evolved to be this way over
time. Native American tribes had many food taboos. “The Comanche’s avoided eating
fish and poultry. In ancient Navajo traditions, burned foods, such as breads, and chicken
was forbidden, although chicken is now a popular part of the Navajo diet. Tribes who
worshiped totemic animals were forbidden from eating those creatures. Many tribes, like
the Iroquois Confederacy, also saw gluttony as taboo. Horses, mules and pack animals
were deemed to be valuable in hunting and war, so many Native American tribes
wouldn't eat these animals unless during a famine.” (“The Cultural Food Taboos Of The
United States” 1) Americans today do have food taboos when it comes to pregnancy.”
During pregnancy, you're at increased risk of bacterial food poisoning. Your reaction
might be more severe than if you weren't pregnant. Rarely, food poisoning affects the
baby, too.” Unpasturized foods including low fat dairy such as skim-milk, mozzarella
cheese, and cottage cheese should be avoided. ( Mayo Clinic Staff 1) Sushi should not be
eaten when pregnant because it may cause illnesses. “It's also smart to go easy on hot
dogs (which should always be eaten cooked) and cured meats such as bacon and sausage.
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These contain nitrates, additives that have been called into question for possible links to
brain tumors and diabetes.” Alcohol is also something that should not be consumed
when pregnant. Drinking while pregnant could cause fetal alcohol syndrome. Fetal
alcohol syndrome can cause mental retardation and other abnormalities. “According to
the March of Dimes, even moderate drinking may lead to more subtle physical and
mental damage. And because no one knows exactly what amount of alcohol causes FAS,
it's smart to steer clear.” (Kuzemchak 1)
In Iceland there is a very big festival in the middle of the winter called the
Thorrablot. This festival was made to make offers to the Gods of Pagan Iceland. At this
festival they eat food that they would consider delicacies. These dishes include: rotten
sharks meat, boiled sheep head, and sheep’s blood wrapped in a ram’s stomach.
(“Thorrablot” 1) It is strange to me that these kinds of foods are considered a delicacy. To
me they just sound gross. The members of the different tribes in Búzios, Brazil have
many fish taboos. These taboos all have very many different reasons. They avoid a fish
called Camburú because it is shaped like a snake and has a bad smell. It is also avoided
because of its aggressive behavior, sharp teeth, and its ugly appearance. (“Journal of
Ethno biology” 121) Other fish such as the Garoupa, Goete, and Olhete are not eaten
because they are fatty. Another large reason certain fish are not eaten is because they
themselves eat mud or other things the people of Búzios find to be filthy. The Corvina
and Tovali fish are not eaten because they eat dirty things. (“Journal of Ethno biology”
122) Ray fish are believed to be bad for women and they are also difficult to catch.
(“Journal of Ethno biology” 124) The islanders will never eat Bonito or Enchova if they
are sick or have wounds. (“Journal of Ethno biology” 126) “Some fish avoided by
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islanders, such as Bonito, Ray, and Shark, are termed carregado. Carregado includes a set
of supposed attributes of an animal, such as teeth, blood, aggressive behavior, "strong
flesh," fattiness (graxa), and factors that could cause inflammation if eaten by someone
who is wounded or unhealthy.” It is said that if you eat the carregado you will get
inflammation of the wounds. (“Journal of Ethno biology” 121) “At Btizios Island the
taboo concerning lizard consumption is the strongest of all animal protein avoidances.
The "incidence of horror" (Rea 1981; Turton 1978) to lizard is strong. Islanders usually
spit on the ground when they see or talk about this animal. This behavior expresses how
nasty and dirty the lizard is in their point of view.” (“Journal of Ethnobiology” 132)
Although Lizards are not consumed they are used for medicinal purposes. They are used
as remedies for snakebites, asthma, tetanus, skin thorns, and rheumatism. The fat from
the lizard is drunk with water or applied to the areas that are affected. (“Journal of
Ethnobiology” 134)
Food taboos do not just appear in religions or cultures without cause. Most taboos
have reasons behind why they are so important to the people who follow them. Some are
health reasons and others are personal reasons and beliefs. Some hold benefits to the
people that practice them and others are because of the negative things that can be caused
by not following the individual food taboo rules. Many taboos have bad omens or myths
that follow them. In china, young children are not allowed to eat chicken feet because
when they start school it may prevent them from having good handwriting. Eating
chicken feet may also transform them into a fighter. Much like a rooster. Eating leek in
the winter is said to warm the knees and back, but it will cause dizziness and poor vision
if consumed in the summer. (“Chinese Taboo: Food” 1) Chinese people, mostly men, but
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some women also, will often eat many different kinds of animal penis. These animal
penises include the deer penis, snake penis, cow penis, and dog penis. They will eat these
penises because it is considered a natural aphrodisiac and will increase sexual drive and
skill. They believe the penis will make the kidneys stronger, thus creating a better sexual
life. They believe whatever part of animal you eat the stronger that part will be on you.
(“Extreme Eats” Taboo. National Geographic. 8, June 2012. Television) I don’t believe
this is true. Other things, like exercise, strengthen the body.
In Nigeria, it is said that if a pregnant woman consumes hippo meat that her
unborn child will snore like a hippo. (Mosota, Asego 1) It is also a belief that if you give
a child meat they will learn to steal and be a lifelong thief. It is though that coconut milk
will make children unintelligent and sometimes insane. Feeding children the liver of
animals will give them inflammation of the lungs. (Meyer-Rochow 8) It seems silly to me
that they think eating those different foods will cause behaviors rather than just health
issues. The Orang Asli tribe believes pregnant women should not eat rats, squirrels,
frogs, toads, small birds or fish. These animals are believed to have “weak spirits” and
they only want a pregnant woman to be associated with “strong spirits”. Men that are
married to the pregnant women must also follow these food guidelines or the bad
consequences will still take place or come true. (Meyer-Rochow 7)
People who live in the Phillipines also have taboo foods and different reasons for
them. Many Filipinos will eat balut. Balut is a two-week-old duck embryo. Balut contains
three parts, “soup” (the amniotic fluid), yolk, and the actual unborn duck. It is believed
that balut enhances the sex drive. Balut also makes an individual stronger, more awake,
and it wards off evil spirits. It is also believed that Balut will make everyone immune to
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sickness. (“Extreme Eats” Taboo. National Geographic. 8, June 2012. Television)
Muslims do not drink because it interferes with their praying time. Muslims are
supposed to pray five times a day and they have to be sober each time. This leaves little
time for drinking. Muslims also believe if a woman eats warthog meat her child will look
like a warthog.(Engel 1) I support these types of spiritual reasons for food taboos. I think
they are some of the only good reasons behind taboos. Hindus also have reasoning behind
their food taboos. “Foods in the mode of goodness increase the duration of life, purify
one's existence and give strength, health, happiness and satisfaction. Such nourishing
foods are sweet, juicy, fattening, and palatable. Foods that are too bitter, too sour, salty
and pungent, dry and hot, are liked by people in the modes of passion. Such foods cause
pain, distress, and disease.” (Meyer-Rochow 8)
Food is a huge part of everyone’s day-to-day life. Food taboos place many
restrictions on what people around the world can and cannot eat. Religion places many
food restrictions on its followers. Many religions forbid the intake of meat, while others
forbid eating anything that is considered at all alive. Culture also creates food taboos. The
things that are socially acceptable to eat and drink in one culture are almost never the
same in another culture. The resources one culture might have are not the same
everywhere else. As well as the different surroundings that affect cultures. Different
cultural beliefs also create food taboos in different areas. A simple idea of the bad and
good things that can happen can also create food taboos. I was shocked at how many food
taboos are created in the mind or by what people are told. Whether the taboo be because
religion, culture, or a bad omen the taboos are very important to everyone who follows
them.
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Works Cited
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09 Sept. 2013.
"Extreme Eats." Taboo. National Geographic. N.d. Television.
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King, S. "Food Laws of Some Religions." N.p., n.d. Web. Sept.Oct. 2013.
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n.d. Web. 10 Sept. 2013.
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"Religious Laws: Taboo Foods in Judaism." Tree.com. Tree, 2011.
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Staff, Mayo Clinic. "Pregnancy Nutrition: Foods to Avoid during
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