Paper short abstract:

The study examines the different indigenous food that exist and are consumed by the people of Ovoko Southeastern Nigeria. The primary aim is to investigate and study these food crops within the context of their cultivation, cooking and consumption from a historical/archaeological persceptives.

Paper long abstract:

The study examines the different indigenous foods that exist and are consumed by the people of Ovoko Southeastern Nigeria. The primary aim is to investigate and study these food crops within the context of their cultivation, cooking and consumption. Key issues such as the preparation processes, conservation methods, taboos associated with food as well as the different traditions and cultural festivals of the people in this area was also documented for posterity.

In Ovoko, fewer studies have been conducted on food heritage. However, none of these researches have been linked with the culture, value systems and traditions of the people from a historical/archaeological perceptive. Hence this study which seeks to understand the relationship between food and everyday life of the people in the study area. The methodology of ‘case study’ was employed, and data were collected using questionnaires and in depth interview addressed to respondents in three different villages. The result shows that food though consumed when hungry is pivotal in the everyday life, be it traditional, symbolic, political and socio-cultural life of the people of Ovoko community. All these segments are sustained by the local peoples indigenious knowledge systems and cultural values which is the fabric of this community.