Acta Universitatis Danubius. Communicatio, Vol 8, No 1 (2014)

Abstract

Inrecent decades, Italy has become a point of entry to the EU and, for manymigrants from the Southern shores of the Mediterranean, a final destination (IOMReport, 2011). As massive inflows have often caused emergencies, the pressingneeds of these populations in the areas of housing, healthcare, education, etc.have been examined and addressed (data: Regional Authority and Milan DioceseObservatories). Realizing that the cultural implications in the area of food,had not been systematically studied thus far, the author developed a three-yearproject, focusing on northwest African Muslim migrants and the change in theirperception of food, particularly in light of the strong religious implicationsthat food has historically had to Arab populations. After reviewing the keytraits of Arab-Berber food history, their translation into contemporary life inthe countries of origin and destination was investigated, through interviewswith, primarily, cultural mediators, as well as anthropologists, food experts,food chain professionals, and the migrants themselves. The overall researchdelves into the migrants’ views of food back in Northern Africa and Maghrebiand other food in Italy, with an emphasis on ideas of purity and identity (inculinary practices, ingredients, celebrations, table manners, the restaurantsystem and distribution).