Between us bread and salt : Battiri cuisine and al-’ūnah

Palestinian resistance through culinary practices can effectively maintain cultural identity and community cohesion, as demonstrated by the village of Battir. This study reveals that food-based traditions, particularly those rooted in agricultural heritage, serve as a powerful tool for resistance against occupation, expanding the concept of al-’ūnah (collaborative work) beyond traditional Sūmūd strategies. By analyzing local dishes and their preparation, researchers highlight how Battir’s enduring inhabitants leverage domesticity to preserve land, challenge spatial appropriations, and sustain a 2,000-year-old legacy amidst ongoing conflict. Unlike narratives focused on destruction or displacement, this work underscores the resilience of continuous habitation, offering new insights into Palestinian struggle through the lens of culinary resistance.

Howard, A. J. (2018). Between us bread and salt : Battiri cuisine and al-’ūnah. University of Texas at Austin. https://doi.org/10.15781/T2DV1D83S