Socio-cultural Drivers of Foodways and Their Implication on Household Food Security in Rarieda Sub-county, Siaya County

Abstract

Food being more than just a source of nutrition is embedded in many aspects of the culture of a community. What we eat, how we acquire and prepare it, how we eat, who we eat with and when we eat reflect the complexity of wide cultural arrangements around foodways. How these factors shape local diets, food preferences, household food distribution, child feeding practices and preparation techniques their implication on household food security present a knowledge gap. This study sought to understand existing socio-cultural aspects of foodways and establish their implication of household food security. An exploratory-qualitative study consisting of 37 informant interviews and 6 focus group discussions was conducted. Thematic analysis was carried out to establish, interpret patterns and relationships from emerging themes and presented through verbatim approach. The study used entitlement theory as its theoretical framework. Study findings indicate that increased access to productive resources that speak to food availability and access, especially by women, does not imply equal rights and power to convert such to food or means of getting food, since, strict patriarchal rules still to place men as the household heads and major decision makers. The study results further show that local customary and religious beliefs and practices categorize foods into food prescriptions and proscriptions (food rules) with animal source foods (ASFs) being the most proscribed foods. Women, girls and children are the most affected by these proscriptions hence putting them at a nutritional disadvantage in terms of food access and utilization, even when food is available. This study concludes that inflexible gender and social norms promote male favoritism in food resource control and food allocation leaving other household members vulnerable and food insecure. Customary food rules promote not only food reallocation and dietary diversification but also food inaccessibility, particularly ASFs, indicating why simply enhanced food supply models may not translate to individual food security at the household. This study therefore recommends on nutrition and food security intervention models and policies that take in cognizance of local level realities and contexts of foodways. Implementing gender transformative approaches and policies to shape gender norms through community dialogues and trainings among other avenues is also recommended.