Food and traditions in the mirror of the ethnical identity and the globalization

Abstract

In the background of the increasing morbidity of the civilization disorders related to eating the cultural factors play an important role. In this respect the loss of the national identity may be essential. There are many foods and meals among the national symbols, commonly used in the characterization of nations. Food is important in the cultural memory, because the common memory is partly based on food, and on the preparation of meals. This exerts a strong influence on the ethnic cohesion. Foods and meals help the time structuring, as well. In the era of globalization national meals are important in the preservation of the national character, but the accommodation to the European standards calls for their transformation. It is a question of the future whether this effect would cause the decrease of the national identity and would increase the frequency of the pathological manifestations of eating. © 2008 Akadémiai Kiadó.