The Meat We Eat – Meat and Celebrations
In this day and age, many cultures have come to accept and embrace meat as a staple food source. In fact, meat has become such a regular part of the human diet that many of the meals we have during celebrations and holidays consist of meat. Thanksgiving turkeys, Christmas hams, summer barbecues, and New Year pork dishes are just some of the many meaty celebrations that are enjoyed worldwide. But how did meat become such a regular part of our diet if humans are not naturally designed for consuming meat?
The introduction of meat to our diet
Long before pre-historic man started eating meat, his diet consisted mainly of vegetarian foods. Plants, nuts, berries, grains, beans, fruits, and other vegetation were the main sources of food for these gatherers and foragers. Humans first started eating meat out of necessity. In areas where vegetation was scarce, primitive man needed to look for other food sources, so he turned to meat. Meat provided early humans with a source of fat and, in turn, energy to survive and thrive even in the most barren landscapes.
From necessity to luxury
Man first turned to meat out of necessity, but it was understood that, in order to get meat, they needed to take the life of an animal. For this reason, meat was often viewed as a privilege and a blessing. In fact, many cultures view the process of killing an animal, cooking it, and consuming it as a spiritual act. Meat quickly became associated with feasts, celebrations, and rituals. Clans, tribes, and families would slowly shift from a purely vegetarian diet, consisting of a hunting-gathering nature, to a more carnivorous diet that was centered more on hunting. Because clans and tribes would often hunt together, so too would the preparation and eating of the meat be a social activity. Today, although many of us no longer have to hunt for our own meat, we still view meat as an important part of social celebrations.
Photo Credit : didbygraham