Cultural Significance of African Food非洲食物的文化意义

张爽/译

Food is a universal language， and nowhere is its power to connect people to their heritage， history， and community more evident than in the rich tapestry of African and African Diaspora cuisines. In this comprehensive article， we embark on a flavorful journey to explore the deep cultural significance of African food， uncovering the stories， traditions， and diverse culinary landscapes behind each dish.

食物是一种通用语言，非洲人与非洲流散族群的饮食丰富多彩，在连结人及其传统、历史和社群方面，食物拥有无与伦比的力量。在这篇概览式的文章中，我们将踏上一段美味之旅，探索非洲食物的深层文化意义，了解每道菜背后的故事、传统和多样化的烹调风貌。

The roots of African food and cuisine

非洲食物与烹饪之根

Africas culinary heritage is a mosaic of flavors， ingredients， and cooking techniques. Each region boasts a unique flavor profile， and within those regions， every dish carries its own narrative：

非洲的烹饪传统是一幅由各种风味、食材和烹饪技法拼成的镶嵌画。每个地域都拥有独特的风味特色，每一道地区菜肴都承载着自己独特的故事：

1. North African cuisine： In the Mediterranean-influenced cuisine of North Africa， dishes like couscous， tagines， and harira soup are more than just meals—theyre a reflection of the regions history of trade and conquest.

1. 北非风味：受地中海风味影响的北非美食，诸如古斯米、塔吉锅和哈利拉汤，不仅是饭食，还反映出当地的贸易史与征服史。

2. West African delicacies： The spicy stews， fufu， and jollof rice that are staples in West Africa have stories that date back centuries， encompassing tales of royalty， celebrations， and centuries of tradition.

2. 西非美味：辣炖菜、馥馥糕和加罗夫饭是西非的主要食物，历史可追溯到几个世纪前，蕴含着王室传说、庆典活动和数百年的传统。

3. East African eats： Ethiopias injera， a spongy sourdough flatbread， isnt just a food—its a symbol of unity and togetherness. Sharing a meal atop a piece of injera is a communal tradition that strengthens bonds among Ethiopians.

3. 東非吃食：埃塞俄比亚的英杰拉是一种绵软的酸面饼，它不止是食物，还是团结与互助的象征。一起吃英杰拉铺底的美食，是增强埃塞俄比亚人际纽带的公共传统。

4. Southern African fare： In Southern Africa， dishes like bobotie and boerewors reflect the regions history of colonization and indigenous culinary traditions， creating a fusion of flavors.

4. 南非美餐：在南非，像咖喱肉末和布尔香肠这样的菜肴，反映的是该地的殖民史与本土的烹饪传统，形成了风味的融合。

5. Central African comfort： From the hearty stews of Cameroon to the plantains and cassava-based dishes of the Democratic Republic of Congo， Central Africas cuisine is a testament to the resilience of its people.

5. 中非的口福：从喀麦隆的丰盛炖菜到刚果民主共和国用大蕉和木薯制成的菜肴，这些中非美食都彰显着当地人民的韧性。

African diaspora： A global culinary influence

非洲流散族群：烹饪影响全球

The African Diaspora， a result of the transatlantic slave trade and subsequent migration， spread African culinary traditions across the globe. As Africans were forcibly transported to the Americas， the Caribbean， and Europe， they carried with them not just their culinary knowledge but also the flavors and ingredients that would give rise to Afro-Caribbean， Afro-Brazilian， and African American cuisines.

非洲人的全球流散，是跨大西洋奴隶贸易及之后的移民的结果，将非洲烹饪传统传播到了世界各地。在非洲人被强制运往美洲、加勒比地区和欧洲的时候，他们不仅带去了自己的烹饪知识，还带上了各种风味和配料，创造出非裔加勒比菜系、非裔巴西菜系和非裔美国菜系。

Stories on the plate

盘中的故事

Each African dish is a story waiting to be told， with ingredients， cooking methods， and flavors steeped in cultural significance：

每道非洲菜肴都是一個等待被讲述的故事，其中的配料、烹饪方法和风味都蕴含着文化意义：

1. Jollof rice： Beyond its delectable taste， jollof rice is a source of national pride and friendly culinary competition among West African nations， each claiming to make the best version.

1. 加罗夫饭：加罗夫饭不但美味可口，还是民族自豪感的象征，西非国家之间为其展开友好的烹饪竞赛，每个国家都自称能做出最棒的味道。

2. Injera： In Ethiopia， injera is not just a form of sustenance—its a cultural tradition. The communal act of sharing a meal atop a large piece of injera symbolizes unity， togetherness， and familial bonds.

2. 英杰拉：在埃塞俄比亚，英杰拉既是一种营养佳肴，又是一项文化传统。分享一顿以大块英杰拉垫底的美食，这一举动象征着团结、欢聚与家庭纽带。

3. Gumbo： Originating from West Africa and popularized in the Southern United States， gumbo is a savory stew that embodies the blending of African， Creole， and Cajun culinary influences， reflecting the regions complex history.

3. 秋葵浓汤：起源于西非，后在美国南部流行起来的秋葵浓汤是味道鲜美的炖菜，体现出非洲、克里奥尔和卡津烹饪风格的融合，反映出该地复杂的历史。

4. Soul food1： African American cuisine， often referred to as “soul food，” is a testament to the creativity and resilience of enslaved Africans. Dishes like fried chicken， collard greens， and cornbread have deep roots in African traditions.

4. 灵魂食品：非裔美国人的烹饪，通常被称为“灵魂食品”，见证着被奴役的非裔人的创造力与坚毅。像炸鸡、宽叶羽衣甘蓝和玉米面包这样的菜肴，都深深扎根于非洲的传统之中。

Traditions at the table

餐桌上的传统

The cultural significance of African food extends beyond the ingredients themselves. Its about the rituals， communal dining， and storytelling that accompany these dishes：

非洲食物的文化意义超越了食材本身。这涉及与这些菜肴相配的仪式、共进餐食的过程，以及讲述的故事。

1. Ubuntu2： In many African cultures， the concept of ubuntu emphasizes the interconnectedness of all people. Sharing a meal is a symbolic act of unity， hospitality， and a celebration of the bonds that tie communities together.

1. 乌班图：在非洲的许多文化中，乌班图的概念强调的是所有人的相互联系。共同进餐是团结、好客的象征，是对连结社群的纽带的颂扬。

2. Kwanzaa feast： During Kwanzaa， a celebration of African heritage， families come together to share a feast that includes traditional dishes like collard greens and sweet potato pie， reinforcing cultural values and community spirit.

2. 宽扎节宴会：在庆祝非洲传统的宽扎节上，家人会聚餐，分享宽叶羽衣甘蓝和甜薯派等传统菜肴，强化着文化价值与社群精神。

3. Cassava leaves： In Liberia， the preparation of cassava leaves involves labor-intensive pounding and cooking. Its not just about the dish but the shared effort and time spent together， strengthening family ties.

3. 木薯叶：在利比里亚，人们需要花大力气捶打与烹调木薯叶。这不单是一道菜，更是一起努力与共度时光，增进家人间的联系。

4. African ancestral offerings： In many African cultures， food offerings to ancestors are a common tradition. This practice symbolizes a connection to ones roots and serves as a way to honor and remember those who came before.

4. 非洲祭祖供品：在非洲的许多文化中，向祖先供奉食品是共同的传统。这种行为象征着与自己的根源相连，是一种纪念和尊敬先人的方式。

Preserving the culinary heritage of African food

保护非洲食物的烹饪传统

In an increasingly globalized world， the preservation of African culinary traditions faces challenges. However， dedicated individuals， chefs， and food enthusiasts are working tirelessly to ensure these traditions endure. Food festivals， cookbooks， culinary education programs， and cultural centers are just some of the ways these traditions are being safeguarded and celebrated.

在日益全球化的世界中，对非洲烹饪传统的保护面临着挑战。不过，悉心守护传统的个人、厨师和美食爱好者不懈地努力着，确保这些传统能够延续下去。美食节、烹饪书籍、烹饪培训项目和文化中心等都只是保护和庆祝这些传统的一些方式。

African and African Diaspora cuisine is more than just a source of nourishment; its a powerful testament to the ability of food to tell stories， connect communities， and preserve cultural heritage. Every dish carries with it the history， traditions， and values of the people who have lovingly prepared and shared it. As we savor these flavors， we also savor the rich tapestry of African and African Diaspora cultures that continue to shape our culinary world. The next time you sit down to a plate of jollof rice， gumbo， or injera， remember that you are partaking in a timeless tradition—a taste of history and a celebration of culture.

非洲人和非洲流散族群的美食不單是营养的来源；它们有力地证明着食物能够讲述故事、团结社群、保护文化遗产。每道菜肴都承载着那些精心烹调与分享食物的人的历史、传统及价值观念。我们在品尝这些风味时，也在品味着非洲人和非洲流散族群文化的丰富图景，而它们依然在塑造着我们的烹饪世界。下一次，当你坐下来品尝加罗夫饭、秋葵浓汤或英杰拉时，请记得，你正在参与一项永恒的传统——品味历史，颂扬文化。

（译者为“《英语世界》杯”翻译大赛获奖选手；单位：南京大学外国语学院）

1 soul food一词源于1960年代中期，当时，soul是用来描述美国南部黑人文化的常用词语，例如“爵士灵歌”（soul music）等。

2 ubuntu（乌班图）一词来源于南非的祖鲁语和恩德贝莱语，义为“对他人的人性”，是关于人与人之间关系的哲学观念，重视团体与社群的重要性，强调人的价值与身份是通过与他人互动和共同生活而获得的。