Sometime ago, when I visited Siem Reap’s wet market in 2014, I saw snakes, insects, and unusual fish for sale — is this really “food” for the body, or more of a cultural survival practice?
Anyway, in certain parts of the world, people have different ways to manage their lives. The image you see below may not be the extreme case, but there are more extreme cases than this. I knew they did not consume these raw, but they cook them in a way suitable to their taste bud.
Images at Phsar Krom, Siem Reap – cambodia
If these creatures were truly suitable for human consumption, wouldn’t we already be farming them like chickens, goats, or fish?
Should these creatures exist, at least a supplementary human may have cultivated, farmed, or reared them since, perhaps millions of years or hundreds of thousands of years ago, as human beings have a history of foraging for food since the beginning of existence. Surely there have been a lot of studies, research, and experiments since the beginning. Even with the modern technology we have today, those creatures are still not category as the main source of foods, though a, very minor, considered these creatures as exotic food. I don’t know what exotic they are talking about !.
Could it be that some creatures were created by God not for our plates, but for their role in the ecosystem — snakes to control rats, insects to pollinate and decompose, birds to balance nature?
Surely all creatures play their role in this planet’s ecosystem to ensure the planet is flourishing. ..but then again, this view is only from the Human being’s point of view. What if we see from the point of view? Perhaps the animal will consume a human being, but we are just lucky that we are on the highest stack of the creation.
When I was young in the kampung, we trapped mouse deer, squirrels, and birds because there was no commercial farming, no transport, and no money — was that survival, or culture?
This was purely a survival because by the time I stayed in the city and town, my taste buds rejected those animal meats, no matter how they were cooked. If it were a culture, I would still be going hunting. In fact, I am happy to see those birds flying from tree to tree, as I do not see squirrels as pests. Perhaps I may get angry if the squirrel gonna keeps disturbing my ripe banana.
After finishing high school, my diet shifted to farmed foods — chicken, pork, fish — did my taste change because of availability, or because my thinking evolved?
This was the evolution of our mind and thinking, plus the availability. We have plenty of food, and quite frankly, most of the time we throw away the excess food. Normally, people order more than they can consume.
If someone offered me nicely cooked mouse deer or squirrel today, why do I no longer feel like eating it?
Because in my mind, those animals have their own family that is waiting for them to go back home, or they have children to be with. As such, my mind and heart don’t accept it anymore…however, for survival purposes in case of war or famine or becoming desperately poor….no way out – have to consume them.
Why does it now hurt me to see people shoot squirrels, birds, or even wild boar, when once upon a time I did the same for survival?
In this era, people should no longer shoot or trap animals for food. It hurt because those who shoot animals are done by those who have big houses, big expensive cars, etc, and they say shooting animals is their hobby. However, if someone so desperate for food does this kind of thing, it is acceptable, at least to a certain extent.
Is food really just about filling the stomach, or is it also about conscience, culture, and respect for life?
The food is about filling the stomach, conscience, culture, as well as respect for life, but food should be consumed when we need it. It should not be about a festival, a food festival, because if this happens, the society is in fact destroying its own space for good living, as well as wasting it. When you go to the Food Festival, you may start buying things that you do not necessarily consume. It will drain out your wallet as well as waste the food. Food festival is certainly about the fashion business instead of a food business. There will be a lot of wastage here and there, though it also generates economic activity for those participating.
So, once upon a time, the jungle fed me for survival, but now my role is to let the jungle live. ..but somehow….the number of wild animals could be extinct by now due to technology in farming, settlement expansion and economic activities. I have not heard of anyone seeing any herd of wild boar, monkey or even a mouse deer in the nearby jungle or the surrounding jungle.
