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Ethnobiology, ethnic cuisines, and provision of health care among Ukrainian and Sikh migrants in Bradford, UK By Charlotte Jane GRAY A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy in Ethnobotany with the University of Bradford, Yorkshire, UK. ‘Let no one be hungry where the spirit of God prevails’ (Guru Nanak Dev Ji) …there’s an old theory superstition whatever you want to call it that when people were hungry the virgin Mary grabbed some wheat and begged Jesus Christ or God not to let them starve and that’s why wheat was grown and that’s why with bread you must never misuse bread or throw it around or use it because that gave sustenance…(2nd generation Ukrainian woman ) February 2007 Ethnobiology, ethnic cuisines, and provision of health care among Ukrainian and Sikh migrants in Bradford, UK A comparative study of plant-based food and drink used for maintaining health, tradition and cultural identity amongst Sikh and Ukrainian migrant communities in Bradford by Charlotte Jane GRAY A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy in Ethnobotany with the University of Bradford, Bradford, Yorkshire. 40,400 words November 2006 February 2007 Abstract Using ethnobotanical, anthropological and social science theory and methods this work illustrates significance of studying traditional foods and their medicinal qualities for maintaining health. Set in the background of the communities’ practises and rituals specific plant-based items, used by Sikh and Ukrainian migrant communities, are a central focus to understanding the significance of practises and related knowledge for maintaining health and the broader concept of ‘well-being’. Literature review, participant observation and in-depth interviewing techniques were used to identify 126 species of plants mentioned. These illustrate what was a primarily female domain of knowledge now becoming superficial and spread over domains of both men and women. This study notes convenience in terms of time and transport, changes in markets in the UK, importation of goods and the use of machinery and techniques such as freezing, and intervention by healthcare professionals have all affected the way traditional foods and remedies are perceived and practised. There are key foods which will remain important for generations to come whilst the domains are changing. Specific community structures support maintenance of food practises, including langar within the Sikh community and the regular OAP Ukrainian lunchtime club and numerous food events where foods with particular religious and cultural significance are made by at least two generations. These events involve transmission of knowledge related to foods and their health qualities, including images of strength as a ‘people’. By questioning the significance of emic perspectives healthcare professionals and policymakers could learn much from practises developed over centuries or millennia. Table of Contents Abstract.........................................................................................................................3 Table of Tables .............................................................................................................7 Table of Figures............................................................................................................8 Table of Pictures ..........................................................................................................9 Acknowledgements......................................................................................................10 Preface...........................................................................................................................1 CHAPTER 1.................................................................................................................2 1. Introduction..............................................................................................................2 1.1 The study of migrant food ways and healthcare systems in urban centres..........3 1.1.1 Terminology..................................................................................................4 1.1.2 Nutritional transitions ...................................................................................7 1.1.3 Migration, nutrition and health of migrants................................................10 1.2 The role of women in providing ‘health care’ within the domestic domain......11 1.2.1 Women and culinary plants ........................................................................15 1.2.2 Women and traditional food as medicine ...................................................17 CHAPTER 2...............................................................................................................20 2. Trans-cultural food-ways and healthcare systems..............................................20 2.1 What are the potential implications upon health status of migrants as a result of changes due to migration? .......................................................................................22 2.2 Traditional food as medicine: the food-medicine continuum...........................23 2.3 Migrant identities...............................................................................................24 2.4 Adaptation, variation, adoption and strengthening of cultural identities...........26 2.4.1 Cultural adaptation......................................................................................26 2.4.2 Urbanization and variation..........................................................................27 2.4.3 Strengthening cultural identity....................................................................29 2.4.4 Adoption by destination country.................................................................30 CHAPTER 3...............................................................................................................33 3. Aims and Objectives ..............................................................................................33 3.1 Aims...................................................................................................................33 3.2 Objectives ..........................................................................................................34 CHAPTER 4...............................................................................................................35 4. The relevance of this study for trans-cultural pharmacy and public health issues in the UK ..........................................................................................................35 4.1 Loss of essential nutrients and balance in diet and medicine as a result of migration..................................................................................................................35 4.2 Trans-cultural health practises ...........................................................................37 CHAPTER 5...............................................................................................................39 5. Methodology ...........................................................................................................39 5.1.1 Ethical approval and prior and informed consent.......................................40 5.1.2 Literature review.........................................................................................41 5.1.3 Poster, letter, personal introductions and willingness to communicate about the research ..........................................................................................................42 5.1.4 A gender-sensitive approach.......................................................................43 5.2 Data collection: Combined methods.................................................................44 5.2.1 An ethnographic approach: Participant observation during regular and key events ...................................................................................................................45 5.2.2 Unstructured interviewing ..........................................................................47 5.2.3 Semi-structured interviewing: Selecting informants .................................48 5.2.4 In-depth semi-structured interviewing........................................................49 5.2.5 Background interviews ...............................................................................49 5.3 Analysis of data..................................................................................................50 5.3.1 Semi-structured interview data and the 3 main objectives: ........................52 CHAPTER 6...............................................................................................................57 6. Results: Part 1 .......................................................................................................57 6.1 Introduction to the results ..................................................................................59 6.1.1 Typical and special food .............................................................................60