Since I can remember every spring whether it was at our home or at my grandparent’s we would make Sumalak in Navruz. Navruz is a traditional celebration that represents a new year, a new beginning, it’s celebrated on March 21 through March 22. We also set up a huge table with freshly picked fruits from the farmer’s market as a wish that our tables will be full in the upcoming year. Sumalak is made of germinated wheat and takes a whole night to cook. The sweet smell that used to be around the house as it made its way to each room would lead its way back to the pot where a lot of the time I would find my family singing and dancing, while each of us got to stir the pot. While stir it is common to make a wish and that it’s most likely to come true. For us Tajiks, it is really common that one person from the neighborhood makes the Sumalak at their homes in a huge pot, and everyone else helps out. Later when it cooked we would give it to our neighbors and family that wasn’t able to be there.
5 thoughts on “Mokhitobon Shavkatova- Food Memory”
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Hi Mokhitobon,
I like how you explained the main dish so that I knew what it was.
I like the use of details and visuals as well.
I like how you gave context to the dinner.
I have a cultural dish in my family that is important to me as well.
My questions are what is the significance of this dish and why you chose to write about this specific memory.
I liked the way you started of by explaining what Navruz meant. Which that allowed the reader to get a bit of a better understanding of your food memory. Also, I like how your seeing senses contributed to your food memory. I say this because you mention that your family was singing and dancing which this shows that it was a great celebration. A suggestion for next time could be how does this tradition celebration connect to you (background or etc.). Also, what’s something that you may have learning out of this traditional celebration. Overall, great.
Hi Mokhitobon,
I really like your food memory and how detailed and specific you were when describing it. I also really like how you included what your family does when other families are not able to make it for this celebration.
One thing that I can slightly connect to in your food memory is the holiday. In my culture, we celebrate the holiday Chinese New Year which also means new beginnings and a new year.
One question that I have about your food memory is if there are any specific fruits that you set up at the table. Another question that I have is if there is any reason why you could remember this holiday?
Hi Mokhitobon
I liked how you explained Navruz, It sounds like a fun celebration.
I liked how you focus on the main traditional dish and how it is made. I also liked how you describe how the celebration worked and how one person in the neighborhood makes it and everyone helps out. A question I have is what other traditions take part in this holiday? Another question is when does the cooking take place in the morning or night?
I liked how you talked about a yearly event that is a very special gathering to you and your family. I also liked how you explained the tradition of making a wish as the family take turns spinning. The only yearly similar event that I could think of is gathering my family on New Years and eating exactly 12 grapes and making wishes as well before the countdown. One question I have is if you have one specific event out of the many that was unique? Are there any important lessons you have learned from this unique event?