FOOD WISDOM OF OUR ANCESTORS
Introduction
Our distant ancestors never had the luxury of supermarkets or ready/processed food. They consumed whole naturally grown food like fruits, vegetables, nuts and lean meats. Today, in an environment filled with fad diets and so many trending eating plans, we have forgotten that the human body has evolved over millions of years but still thrives on certain types of food. The concept of “Embracing Food Wisdom of our Ancestors” may sound antiquated but it is principally grounded in biology, anthropology and nutrition science. In this weekly series, we shall try to discover why we should look back to our ancient wisdom before putting anything on our plate. Also we will understand the importance of some vital food articles in our daily meal plan. Let us join this journey of rediscovery!
Our ancestors have left behind an agglomeration of wisdom, life experiences, and customs that directly or indirectly, still affect our lives even today. Whether we’re interested in old civilizations or not, there’s a lot we can discover by looking at the lives and convictions of those who came before us.
Our ancestors depended heavily on nature for their food supply and this reliance significantly impacted the lifestyles of our ancestors, shaping their daily habits, social organizations, belief systems, and cultural traditions. Through their journey of transition, we shall try to understand the formation of their belief system deep rooted in their interaction with nature: God’s gift.
- Foraging: In ancient times, humans lived as hunter-gatherers, relying on searching for wild plants, fruits, nuts, and roots as their main source of alimentation. Foraging demanded a deep understanding, acquaintance and intimate knowledge of local ecosystems, including knowledge of which plants were edible, where to locate them, and when they were in season.
- Hunting and fishing: Hunting and fishing were crucial activities for acquiring protein-rich foods. Our ancestors hunted animals like deer, bison, and smaller game for meat, while fishing provided a supply of seafood and freshwater fish. Successful hunting and fishing expeditions required expert skills, patience, and an understanding of animal behavior.
- Agriculture and Domestication: The transition from hunter-gatherer societies to agricultural communities marked a significant turning point in human history when they started settlements at the banks of water sources like rivers. Early farmers cultivated crops such as wheat, barley, rice, and maize, domesticated animals like cattle, sheep, and goats for food, labor, and other needs. This lead to the development of permanent settlements and complex civilizations.
- Seasonal Cycles: Our ancestors lived in sync with the nature’s seasonal rhythms, strategically planting and harvesting crops according to the changing weather patterns. They relied on seasonal cues such as temperature, rainfall, and daylight hours to determine the best times for cultivation, nurturing and harvesting their crops.
- Food Preservation: Before the advent of modern refrigeration and food preservation methods, our ancestors ingeniously devised techniques to preserve food for times of scarcity and lean period. These methods included drying, smoking, salting, fermenting, and pickling foods to prolong the shelf life of the provision and ensuring a steady food supply year round.
- Cultural and Spiritual Connections: The dependence on nature for food was not merely a practical necessity but also a deeply ingrained cultural and spiritual aspect of ancestral societies. Many civilizations crafted rituals, ceremonies, and customs and traditions related to food production, harvest rituals, and communal meals and consumption, revering the natural world and expressing gratitude for its bounty.
Exploring these interconnected themes offers insight into humanity’s enduring relationship with the environment and the relevance of these practices even today.
Our next effort will be to find out some important ingredients from this bounty of nature which we have forgotten over a period of time and their various uses.
We shall also try to learn some very simple, effortless ways to come close to the nature and use the wisdom of our ancestors to reduce the harmful effects of modern-day food habits in the coming blogs.