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Library Highlights Belongings & Bounty: A Talk With Khir Johari

Belongings & Bounty: A Talk With Khir Johari

Published Mar 16, 2022

 


 

This talk explores the relationship of Malay society with their natural landscape through food. Malay cuisine is more than just about consumption. It is also informed by conscious methods of acquiring and managing ecological resources. These include foraging, medicine and packaging. The ability to identify which animal, vegetable or mineral has either medical efficacy and health benefits on one hand, versus detrimental effects on the other, made these practices a form of specialized knowledge. Such knowledge extended even to the domain of practical use, especially in wrapping and storing food and other edible products. Indeed, there are dishes that rely on vegetable wrappings as an essential component of their creation, imparting flavour, colour and aroma besides holding its contents together. Such a food culture reflects an intimate understanding of the local environment. We hope this sharing inspires a rediscovery of an indigenous knowledge tradition, tied closely to food preparation and enjoyment.

 

Register to attend in Performance Hall*

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*Due to Safe Management Measures, only Yale-NUS College and NUS faculty, staff, and students are allowed to attend this event in the Performance Hall.

 


About the Speaker

Khir Johari is a collector and an independent researcher on the history and culture of Nusantara. His book ‘The Food of Singapore Malays: Gastronomic Travels Through the Archipelago’ was published to critical and commercial acclaim. Khir obtained a BSc in Mathematics from Santa Clara University and a Masters in Education from Stanford University.

Published Mar 16, 2022