Research on the Popularity of Barbecue - Essay Example

RESEARCH REPORT: BARBEQUE al Affiliation Research report: Barbeque Introduction Barbeque has a variety of definitions that can be based on the different cultural, geographical and social origins (Mallos and Mackevicius, 2010). However, the barbeque is a variety of food that is broiled or roasted on a rack, mostly pork, lamb or goat. The study was used to carry out a detailed research on the food culture to expose an in-depth anthropological comprehension of its account. Importantly, the study focused on the origin and adoption of the meal in the society being involved in the study. Project Description The research was set to gather and analyze data on different aspects of the study. The main principles included the social settings, social relationships, cultural practices, and present trends that can be used to provide an ethnographic description of the term. Findings were also compared and contrasted to some of the theories that relate to the topic of the study. Consequently, the study provided an all rounded understanding of the barbeque through time and various trends that have changed. The project was carried out in Melbourne, one of the major towns in Australia where the barbeque culture has been adopted by time. The location was strategically chosen due to factors such as financial, accessibility and socio-cultural backgrounds among others. The research took place over a period of one month, a calculated period that would provide substantial data to the projects. Additionally, there were also variations that were put in place due to changes in time caused by weather and other unwanted causes. However, the study took place at the specified time and date was strategically collected from the locals. It also focused on some of the local celebration that involved lamb and pork barbeques. The location was chosen based on factors such as tourism and entertainment that the town has been well for been known. Moreover, the locality has an added advantage due to its proximity to the ocean; that is used in transportation for social and cultural integration. The participants included some of the town folks and those from neighboring residential areas. The variation in the participants was due to the changes in cultural and social backgrounds due to the rural-urban migration. However, a detailed literature review of the study provided a foundation for the right locations to gather information. The population sample included individuals ranging from the age of forty to seventy years. The age bracket had an added advantage because the subjects had longer experiences of most of the social and cultural activities in the city. Research method A qualitative inquiry and research approach was used in the study. Such methods are highly recommended for projects in anthropology and ethnography (Berg and Lune, 2014). The style focuses on the value and quality of the collected data as compared to other researches that had been carried out in the past. As a result, the method provided a variety of perceptions and behaviors about the barbeque. Additionally, the research has also offered explanations, observations and ideas that have been used to address the objectives of the study. The qualitative research included visiting several homes in the chosen location and offering a variety of questions about the study. The method engaged the respondents actively in answering the set questions as compared to other structured questions (Berg and Lune, 2014). The interviewers had a broad background of the study so that they would change and vary research questions, according to the participants in the population samples. Findings Ethnographic description Ethnography can be described as the study of social and cultural trends of a defined group of people. An ethnographic explanation of the research location will explain various aspects of the explained principles. The research site was one endowed with various socio-cultural activities due to its strategic geographical location. A study on the location first revealed that it has different cultures, both local and international, due to its position as a transport and communications hub. Figure 1: Research Site courtesy of Google Maps Cultural practices Based on culture, the research position is known to be a cultural mix. Australia has had many indigenous individuals, but its connection to the outside world has led to positive and negative impacts of their culture. One of the noticeable trends is the adoption of new eating habits that were adopted from the Western and Asian countries. The barbeque has found its way into the country with most sources being from the West (Warnes, 2008). There are participants that provided information on the barbeque practice trends in their families that have occurred for some years. The findings showed that some of the population was made up of individuals from other cultures and has been a cultural right to prepare barbeques during national holidays. The research site does not have reserved foods for a special occasion; hence, there has been infiltration of feeding habits from other international cultures. For instance, most ceremonial foods have been emphasized during holidays such as Easter and Christmas. The literature review on the location shows that British that were frequent visitors to the country adopted the barbeque. Based on communication, various avenues of social integration available for an individual can exchange cultural values with local and international societies. Technological and transportation enhancements have led to the enhancement of tourism in the town leading to an influx of the number of international tourists. Most of the participants accepted to have acquired the barbeque culture from their tourist friends that they met in camps and other social congregations. Social welfare was also a key aspect of the research site whereby individuals lived happily without major social ills such as crime. Additionally, there was the presence of charities and welfare association that help the old and homeless in the town. As a result, various occasions have led to the adoption of the barbeque culture. For example, charity walks may end up with a barbeque party where members and fans can enjoy the new food culture. Social relationships They include interactions between the individuals of Melbourne both internally and externally. Relationships have a direct impact on the spread of cultural and food values (Agha, 2007). For example, individuals from the town may relate with others from different continents leading to an integration of ideas and cultures. Subsequently, changes have taken place in the relationship structures in Melbourne that have been based on the Western and Asian cultures. A social approach to the location revealed that there are different social structures in Melbourne. For instance, social stratification had a direct impact on the adoption of any new food culture in the town. Different social classes had various aspects such as economic might that may affect families in the purchase of new foods (Agha, 2007). However, the barbeque culture had been adopted by most of the families in the research site since most of the individuals were in the middle class that can afford some of the essentials used in preparation. Religious structures in the area that contributed to the society were also part of the study since they exercised some of the food cultures in the meetings and other social welfares that helped others on the society. Notably, the diversity of personal tastes and preferences was shared among the group of individuals involved in the social relationships. Consequently, there are exchanges in the style of foods being consumed due to difference cultural backgrounds. Most of the social relationships were among the town dwellers, but recent immigration into the country had led to variation in the structure of food cultures. The study also revealed that the individuals were not all Australians by birth, but some had come to the country due to different factors. Close ties between individuals in the research site showed that individuals acquired different traits from their neighbors during family and social gatherings. For example, a family may offer barbeques to individuals during a childs birthday party, a practice that would be adopted by other parents to make their guests satisfied. Additionally, some families agreed to learn how to prepare barbeques from the media and internet. Technological advancements and the presence of the internet have led to global intercultural practices. However, the study also revealed that there were factors such as economic, religious and cultural that affected the adoption of the barbeque. For instance, most families that engaged in barbeque parties were in the rich neighborhoods. Since the food culture involves different meat brands, there was a higher possibility for the rich society to afford the lamb and pork steaks that would be grilled at their homes or in restaurants. Moreover, the stoves and grills would also cost families more to purchase ad maintain, a practice that would not be found in lower social classes. Religious factors were present due to restriction by various beliefs that affect the consumption of meat from defined animals. As a result, the findings showed that individuals that were constricted to religious beliefs did not embrace barbeques. Personal reflection A close examination of the findings shows that they have met the studys expectations both practically and theoretically. The research was based on literature review from different sources and was used to provide more information on the comprehension of the barbeque. Notably, the findings have met the core principles that include the origin, history, ways on how the barbeque culture has been conveyed to the research site and current and future trends of the food practice. A personal suggestion shows that the study has met all the objectives of the research report; hence, it can be regarded to as satisfactory. However, despite the satisfactory results, a more qualitative analysis of another region may be recommended to provide more information. Analysis The findings from the research can be theoretically backed up by thesis and studies from various scholars. The presence of a connection between the social classes and the adoption of the barbeque culture can be based on Marvin’s article on the Abominable Pig (Harris, 1985). According to Harris (1985), the first cultures involved in the barbeque preparation were indigenous communities in the Western countries. The meat was placed on twigs and branches over a fire before it was ready and was considered to be for the poor society. However, changes in time and modernization have led to a reverse of the activity whereby barbeques have been associated with the middle and upper social classes. Additionally, rodents were mostly used for barbeques because pigs and cattle were also expensive to rear. As a result, there are barbeque parties in some of the high-rise suburb of Melbourne. According to Bourdieu (1984), social stratification factors affect the embracement of various food cultures. He reveals the presence of social snobbery among the rich due to the variety of meals to choose from and the unlimited resources. The middle and upper classes have a tendency to engage in activities due to reasons such as social and competition among themselves. The findings from the study show that there is the presence of ‘distinction’ among the participants. The rich can not only choose the barbeque practice but also have a variety of meat brands to choose from in the society. Additionally, the rich also have a tendency to come up with food cultures that can only be afforded by the bourgeois. Sack (2015) indicates that meals have been described as analogies of various social and religious structures. They can be used to identify a certain society due to the values and beliefs embedded in the meals. The research findings have shown similar results whereby an analysis of the barbeque shows that it has its background in the U.S and the U.K before spreading to different countries across the globe due to enhanced transportation mediums. Importantly, food choices go hand in hand with the religious configurations and social opportunities. For example, regions with tough religious beliefs do not engage in barbeque practices that use meat against their convictions. Political ecology has also been used in the comprehension of the food culture through the creation of a relationship between the social, economic, environmental and political factors. According to Povinelli (1993), the food practices should be understood in broader perspectives that include the sources of the meat used in the barbeque and socio-political factors that affect the production processes. Additionally, the conception should also involve economic factors such as inflations that affect the adoption of such trends. According to Duruz, (2005) multiculturalism has been an emerging trend despite different geographical barriers. The practice has been caused by the integration of different ethnic groups from local and international communities. Additionally, the presence of national social activities that promote assimilation of cultures has also encouraged the exchange of food cultures between societies (Wise and Velayutham, 2009). Food fairs have also contributed to the idea of barbeques among families. Conclusion Despite the presence of different barbecuing techniques, the practice has been adopted in different communities with fewer changes based on beliefs (Counihan and Van Esterik, 2013). The research project also has unveiled trends in the food industry and ways that they have changed the health and fitness practices. Reference List Agha, A. (2007). Language and social relations. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Berg, B. and Lune, H. (2014). Qualitative research methods for the social sciences. Harlow, Essex, England: Pearson Education. Bourdieu, P. (1984). Distinction. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press. Counihan, C. and Van Esterik, P. (2013). Food and culture. New York: Routledge. Duruz, J. (2005). Eating at the borders: culinary journeys. Environment and Planning D: Society and Space, 23(1), pp.51-69. Harris, M. (1985). Good to eat. New York: Simon and Schuster. Mallos, T. and Mackevicius, A. (2010). Barbecue. Millers Point, N.S.W.: Murdoch Books. Povinelli, E. (1993). Labors lot. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, pp.Chapter 4 and 5. Sack, D. (2015). On Deciphering a Potluck: the social meaning of church socials. [online] Materialreligion.org. Available at: http://www.materialreligion.org/journal/potluck.html [Accessed 19 May 2015]. Shweder, R. (2003). Why do men barbecue?. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press. Terre Blanche, M., Durrheim, K. and Painter, D. (2006). Research in practice. Cape Town: UCT Press. Warnes, A. (2008). Savage barbecue. Athens, Ga.: University of Georgia Press. Wise, A. and Velayutham, S. (2009). Everyday multiculturalism. Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan. Read More