Culture: Our Beliefs, Customs, and Values - Essay Sample

Introduction

Culture is a familiar word for us. Arguably, we all form part of the culture, but we are usually intrigued by some other cultures since it is that integral determinant of who we are. In simple terms, culture is the peculiar behavior of a group of individuals, and it constitutes numerous elements of which some of them are more common compared to the rest. It is the attires we put on, our language and type of food we eat. Culture is, therefore, our beliefs, customs, and values. Culture identifies the acceptable and unacceptable things in a given society, be it food, dressing code, beliefs, mythology, customs, among others (De Groot 21).

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For instance, when you visit the Gambia, you will get an enormous choice of restaurants befitting every palate ranging from Indian, Italian, Lebanese, and Chinese alongside global restaurants with everything from complete English breakfast to steak served with peppercorn sauce. However, I am enthusiastic about acknowledging a nation by her food pieces of stuff, and I would recommend the Gambia for everyone first-time visitors to at least try one traditional dish. One will usually find them featured on menus. The typical food served in every home in this country is white rice with spicy sauces.

Last evening, I had a meal with my family, and I can honestly confess that Domoda is the most delicious dish I have ever experienced from the Gambian food menus. Indeed, I served it thrice in a row, but even though I love it so much, I could not manage the 3rd meal, and it would sound rude if I failed to thank the cook of the day. Domoda is a traditional food for all Gambians. We gathered around a larger bowl, and every one member eating from the section of this bowl with the right hand. It is ill-mannered to eat from the left hand though the culture is somewhat accommodative for the biologically disabled. But if you are invited to any home n Gambia to share a dish, it is more acceptable to ask for a spoon.

Moreover, any fish, vegetables, or meat left untouched might be broken up using the right hand or a fork. The host will generally do this for a visitor and toss section of it into s/her part of the bowl for them to eat. Below are other local food and drinks I chose from last evening. The menu had a variety of food to choose from, ranging from Afra, Baobab Juice, Benachin, and Yassa.

Afra is a popular late-night snack. Naturally, one will select his or her choice of meat that will then be chopped up, seasoned, grilled then served alongside spicy sauce of mustard. My experience with Afra is that quality dramatically varies. On the other hand, baobab juice is made from the fruits of the baobab trees, and it is a delicious one. Baobab juice stimulates bacteria, and it can be used in flavoring smoothies or yogurts. Benachin stands for one pot and is prepared with meat or chicken; however, fish is preferable. I made this with my mom yesterday, and I can say it was a fantastic experience.

Consequently, Yassa is also a common type of meal that you will typically find in the Gambian restaurants' menus. It is prepared with lime, chilies. Mustard, onions, and stock cube. Sometimes it includes beef, pawn, fish, or vegetables. I have eaten this several times as a substitute for Domoda.

Conclusion

Conclusively, every country has their staple food, and the modes of their preparations vary from one cook to another. For instance, some of the dishes I have mentioned above have various names if you visit other countries' restaurants or homes. I once ate Domoda in Zambia, but I can still say that the one for the Gambia is still the best and with the most delicious taste ever. It was until yesterday evening I had every family member giving their individual experience with the various dishes food culture also exists. For example, there are countries in the world where people eat snakes, but this is unacceptable in the Gambia.

Works Cited

De Groot, Jerome. Consuming History: Historians and heritage in contemporary popular culture. Routledge, 2016. https://books.google.co.ke/books?id=ayt-CwAAQBAJ&lpg=PP1&ots=y2rfxtp8Mc&dq=What%20Is%20Culture%20and%20What%20Are%20Some%20Popular%20Culture%20Essay%20Topics%3F&lr&pg=PP1#v=onepage&q&f=false

Jallow, Sukai. A feasibility study into the establishment of a Gambian restaurant in Accra. Diss. 2018.Accessed: http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11988/392