Growing different ethnic foods and preparing them is a fundamental way to bring together diverse ethnic and cultural groups. Each can impart aspects of their culture to the other, fostering cultural understanding.
NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURE
The type of corn grown in this garden plot was popcorn. The gardeners harvested it and enjoyed fresh popcorn; some of the beans picked were used in the Candlelight Dinner event at the community garden.
For more information about the "three sisters" cultural planting method,
traditional native american gardens, and recipes, click either link below:
SAUDI ARABIA
An IUP student from Saudi Arabia visited the community garden to do volunteer service, as part of her class with the American Language Institute . She was delighted to see okra growing at the garden. She wanted to rent a garden plot so she could grow her own okra and other vegetables from her homeland. The American Language Institute at IUP maintains a garden plot at the community garden, and grows vegetables that international students are familiar with but may not be able to find in local grocery stores.
To observe sustainable organic gardening methods in Saudi Arabia, click here.
Click here to see how community garden initiatives can foster cultural bridges.
Click here to see how community garden initiatives can foster cultural bridges.
HEIRLOOM GARLIC
In July of 2013, during a visit to the Indiana Community Garden, IUP's summer cohort of Upward Bound Math & Science students harvested the following types of organic heirloom garlic: Chrylis Purple, Croatian, Inchelium Red (Native American), Italian, Polish, and Red Siberian. The community garden used the garlic not only for various food demonstrations and its Candlelight Dinner event, but also in the community garden's displays at theTaste and Tour event in July 2013, and the Northern Appalachian Folk Festival in September 2013, so people could learn more about the value and heritage of heirloom varieties of garlic.
Click here to learn more about heirloom garlic.
The garlic harvested by students was donated by Dave Thompson, who grows organic garlic commercially for growers in Mundy's Corners, PA. The garlic consisted of several heirloom varieties.
What is an heirloom variety, or seed? A good definition is given by Terroir Seeds LLC (http://www.underwoodgardens.com/): "An heirloom seed is seed from a plant that has been passed from one generation to another, carefully grown and saved because it is considered valuable. The value could lie in its flavor, productivity, hardiness or adaptability. Many heirlooms have been grown, saved and passed down for more than 100 years. Some have history reaching back 300 years or more. To have been saved and preserved for so long, these seed varieties have shown their value to many people and families for an extremely long time. Most heirlooms have been saved and selected because they have the best flavor and production in home and small market gardens."
MEXICAN CULTURE: CEMPAZUCHITL
The Indiana Community Garden undertook the project of growing Cempazuchitl, a marigold indigenous to Mexico. It is mentioned in ancient Aztec records, and is the iconic flower of Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico and the United States. Cempazuchitl is unlike marigolds commonly found in the United States. The plants are vigorous and tall. The foliage has a fresh, spicy scent. The flowers are large, often 3 inches across. Its intense and pleasing fragrance is said to help returning spirits find their way back home for Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Día de los Muertos has been celebrated in Mexico for centuries. In the 1970s, the holiday began being celebrated in the United States. The Day of the Dead is a beautiful way to be close to and remember loved ones who have passed on, but has also become a platform for bringing attention to important social and educational issues. Every year, Día de los Muertos grows in popularity, and is now widely celebrated in communities from California to New Jersey: on main streets, in universities, museums, libraries, and in private homes.
People driving by the Indiana Community Garden during early fall could view a spectacular sight along the fence: a border of marigolds, eight feet tall, accentuated with large orange flowers.
Visiting groups of students were educated about the Cempazuchitl and Indiana Community Garden's vision of not just growing them, but also providing Cempazuchitl for IUP's first Day of the Dead Festival. The photograph below shows Cempazuchitl being used in an exhibit inside the IUP University Museum . The exhibit was titled "A Southern Mexico Ofrenda". Cempazuchitl was also displayed at the students' Altars Exhibit, a costume party, a lecture, and in various offices- both on campus and around Indiana- during Day of the Dead.
On October 31, the Indiana Community Garden hosted a Day of the Dead event. Under the community garden's pavillion, Cempazuchitl decorated an altar that was laden with produce from the garden. Handmade sugar skulls and Mexican pottery were included. Authentic Pan de Muerto (bread of the dead) was baked by the local Six Hand Bakery, and participants enjoyed the delicious bread. Shown in the photograph below are community garden administrators and IUP students.
Click here for Six Hand Bakery's Facebook page and daily menu.
For more information about Mexico's holiday Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead),
click any link below:
click any link below:
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