Slow food festival to be held in Mawphlang

Shillong, Nov 26:  Aiming at promoting and preserving the rich biodiversity of the north east through ‘slow food’, the third Mei Ram-Ew (mother earth) Festival – a celebration of indigenous food- will be held at Mawphlang in East Khasi hills from December 14 to 15, even as the organizer of the festival is all gearing up to host the ‘Indigenous Terra Madre – 2014’.

“We are taking ‘food’ as one which will showcase the rich diversity of the place with an aim towards preservation of the biodiversity and agro-biodiversity of the region,” North East Slow Food and Agro-biodiversity Society (NESFAS) Director Dr CO Ryngad told reporters during an interaction with journalists Monday.

Altogether twenty-four local communities including Thailand, Manipur, Nagaland, North Cachar hills beside tribes from Meghalaya will be there in Mawphlang to share their stories and invite the public to taste their unique cuisines and witness the diversity of locally sourced ingredients that make up these culinary traditions.

The two days festival in Mawphlang is being held from 2010.

“The first sessions will allow communities to discuss common issues such as shifting cultivation and the revival of local food crops,” NESFAS chairman Phrang Roy said adding “Moreover, communities will share their own stories of agro – biodiversity through songs, folklore and traditional dances.”

Roy, however, said that in the second day local agro-biodiversity from Meghalaya, Manipur, Assam, Southern India, the Phillipines and Thailand will be showcased.

“The focus will not only be on food items per se but also to showcase the diversity of food crops, their methods of cultivation and preparation and their importance to the food security and food sovereignty of indigenous people,” Roy, who is also a former Indian representative to the UN, added.

Meanwhile, NESFAS is all set to host the ‘Indigenous Terra Madre’ festival on May 2014 to showcase the world’s food diversity.  “The NEFAS will play a leading local role in organizing the IITM 2014, with local communities acting as hosts and youths playing a very crucial part,” Roy said.

As part of the Terra Madre network of Slow Food International, about 100,000 active members from 153 countries assembles every two years in Turin, Italy to discuss common issues and actively enhance the capacity of these food communities.

“World’s best speakers, singers, dancers and chefs with an appreciation for the value of indigenous worldviews will be taking part in the upcoming 2014 event,” Roy informed. – By Our Reporter