Wellness Corner 45: Kashmir and Community

Hey Falcons,

The region of Kashmir lies in the far north of India and northeast of Pakistan. It’s been wracked by conflict for decades, torn between religions and countries. Interestingly, the region has a solid bedrock of unity in its foundational principle of Kashmiriyat, a centuries-old tradition of communal harmony. 

A tradition closely tied to Kashmiriyat is wazwan, a traditional multi-course meal in Kashmiri cuisine (sometimes up to 36 courses!), consisting of a variety of dishes served in a particular order. From the tradition of wazwan, we can glean the importance of community in keeping together a society afflicted by sectionalism and strife. 

The community comes together to prepare and serve wazwan, which strengthens their bonds; the meal takes a while to prepare due to the traditional slow-cooking method, so wazwan promotes togetherness. 

Wazwan also promotes social equality and inclusiveness. In Kashmiri culture, everyone is welcome to attend a wazwan, regardless of their social or economic status. During the meal, everyone sits together on the floor on a rug called a kaleen, regardless of their rank or position in society, promoting a sense of equality and inclusiveness.  Four people eat from each plate, which fosters a sense of brotherhood and strengthens the bond between the members of the community. 

Let’s take inspiration from the tradition of wazwan. It's important for us to foster this spirit of unity and equality in our own communities, treating everyone with the respect they deserve. 

Stay well,

Eshaan