Material Culture

Material Culture

Human culture is revealed by the objects of the culture and ideas associated with these objects. Material cultures are defined by a range of objects such as utensils, ornaments, arts, written records, clothing, and many consumable objects used by humans. The first great revolution of material culture emerged in the early centuries during the agricultural revolution. Rice became the identities of many Asian societies. It also acted as an agent of cultural interaction that shaped the knowledge and understanding of the Asian tradition.

Rice is widely associated with Southeast Asia; the Asian civilization reveals the background tradition of cooking. The agricultural revolution in Asia was characterized by rice cultivation. Rice cultivation provided the motor for growth that accelerated the expansion of agriculture in only in Asia, but other parts of the world.  Even though rice is consumed across the globe, the agricultural landscapes of  Asia are characterized by rice cultivation, which forms part of their ancient tradition..

Rice is the most diversified grain with abroad variety. In understanding the cultural history of rice,  the key aspects of consideration are their difference between sticky and non-sticky rice between the South and other parts of Asia. Glutinous rice, commonly referred to as sticky rice or waxy rice, is a common type of rice grown in southeastern Asia (Bates, Petrie, and Singh 195).  The cooking technique differs as compared to sticky rice; non-sticky rice is boiled while sticky rice is steamed. The idea of cooking rice emerges among the chances of travelers. Additionally, the emergence of ceramic vessels promoted the steaming technique within Asia. Today, in southeast Asia, steamed rice is consumed with other ingredients such as banana leaves, this forms part of the Southeast tradition.

The preference for sticky rice is linked to ethnic identity and cultural heritage.  In Thailand, there is a significant difference between those who prefer sticky rice and fermented fish as their ethnic identity. Those from the central part of Thailand prefer boiling rice and fish sauce (Petrie et al., 1491). Even though sticky rice is perceived as peasant food, in Thailand, in general Asia, sticky rice is preferred over non-sticky rice.

In terms of ritual importance, rice is perceived as ritual importance. The tradition majorly influences cooking preferences. Those living in Thailand with a ritual connection of rice use glutinous rice as a ritual dish. By the fact that they prefer sticky rice. For them, rice is special and has spiritual and ritual importance. Back in the 19^th-century sticky rice ha been widely preferred for alcohol production, and the incorporation of sticky rice in festivals across Asia forms part of the modern religious beliefs (Sameer, Juzhong, and Yang 9).  Different groups of people in Asia, ranging from Buddhists, Catholics, Muslims, and Shintoists, use sticky rice in most of their festivals (Sameer, Juzhong, and Yang 10)  InAisa, rice is associated with fertility. For example, the Tai in Vietnam believes in human fertility with rice fertility(Sameer, Juzhong, and Yang 10).  South Asian festivals are often celebrated using sticky rice. Thus the use of sticky rice in ritual and traditional ceremonies presents the religious importance of rice. Rice, as an object, present the identities of the  Asian societies, through the tradition of cooking and ritual importance others can learn about the South Asian culture.