Heritage Month: We are proud of our traditions

Proud of our Indian traditions

A resident of Boksburg, Neelesh Harduth, who runs a Masala restaurant in El Ridge Corner, said he is extremely proud of the Indian cultural traditions as it has much to offer to the world, especially the diverse food culture and way of dressing.

“Although I’m a South African-born Indian, I’m proud to follow traditions that have originated from a country of rich heritage, traditions and festivals.

“These include traditional arts and crafts and traditional mouth-watering cuisine based on varying blends of ingredients, like essential spices and herbs,” he explained.

Although there are many aspects of the Indian culture that Neelesh follows, he narrowed it down to his favourite top three best dishes in the different Indian regions: butter chicken, lamb Rogan Josh and chicken Korma.

“With dozens of states, each with its own topography and traditions, there’s a lot more Indian cuisine I could tap into, but these are the top three popular dishes that I’m proud of.”

He explained that the country’s traditional types of food vary based on the different areas and religions.

“There are so many different types of spices.

“We don’t only use these for taste or flavour, but for many underlying or specific reasons that are good for the body. It’s like putting health on the table.

“For instance, if you look at the ingredients in chilli peppers, they have antidepressant properties, and garlic has some antimicrobial components.

“Although some of the products are now commercialised, my mother would buy the different types of raw products and mix them to create her own flavour at home.

“It’s traditions and customs that have been passed down from generation to generation and I still follow and value them so much.

“There are so many things to be proud of in the Indian culture, such as the food, languages, way of dressing, rituals, festivals, great family values and our cultural music.

“We have diverse traditional ways of doing things and yet we stand united.

“If you travel through India you will find different people of different religions and traditions.”

Erfenis met trots gevier

Hettie Robbinson van die Boksburg Vroue Landbou-Unie is ‘n trotse Afrikaner.

Vir Hettie is Erfenisdag, wat op 24 September gevier word, sinoniem met vriende byme-

kaarkom en dankbaarheid toon aan die Skepper. “Ons dink aan ons erfenis wat vir ons van geslag tot geslag bewaar is.

“Ons vier die dag met ‘n braai. Tydens hierdie vieringe begin ons met versnapperings soos biltong, skyfies en iets om te drink.”

Op die spyskaart is daar tradisionele tjoppies, wors en sosaties. Daar is ook broodjies met kaas, uie en tamatie. Daar is stywe pap met sous, aartappelslaai, mengelslaai en knoffelbrood.

Na die ete is almal in die swembad en daarna word lekker souskluitjies met room, roomys of vla bedien.

Basotho is a vibrant culture

Sibusiso Khanye, who lives in Villa Liza, is a proud Sotho man although his family moved from the Free State to Nqutu in Kwa-Zulu-Natal.

According to him, their cultural food is likhobe. It’s a meal made from meat, stew beans and vegetables and they normally make this meal during the day, and in the morning they eat porridge made out of sorghum.

He added that they have different types of blankets that they wear as the Basotho tribe.

“These are the names of the blankets we wear. We have a Seana Marena, Kgotso, kgaka, Sefeta and Bokolo.

“And currently I’m wearing a Kgotso blanket,” said Sibusiso.

Also Read: #HeritageMonth2022: Displaying unity in cultural diversity