HARISSA
– FOOD – GEOGRAPHY
News: In Kashmir, beating cold and
patriarchy with a mouthful of winter’s warmth
What's
in the news?
●
Kashmir experiences its harshest winters
from December 21 through January 29, every year.
Key
takeaways:
●
In
Srinagar’s old city, a new generation of women are trooping
to shops selling Harissa, a
meat-and-grain delicacy slow-cooked overnight, that once catered exclusively to
men.
Chillai
Kalan:
●
Major cold is what the Persian phrase
“Chillai Kalan” denotes.
●
The 20-day Chillai Khurd (small cold),
which lasts from January 30 to February 18; and the 10-day Chillai Bachha (baby
cold), which lasts from February 19 to February 28; all follow Chillai-Kalan.
●
For Kashmiris, the 40-day period is
extremely difficult because of the extreme temperature drops that cause water
bodies, like this region’s famous Dal Lake, to freeze.
●
The likelihood of snowfall is greatest
during these 40 days, and the high temperature drops significantly. In the
Valley, the minimum temperature is frequently below freezing.
Impact
on Kashmiris Daily Lives:
●
Increased use of Kanger, a traditional
firing pot, and Pheran, a type of Kashmiri clothing.
●
Due to the extreme cold, Dal Lake and tap
water pipelines partially freeze during this time.
●
Harissa,
a delectable dish made of lean mutton mixed with rice and spiced with fennel,
cardamom, clove and salt, is a traditional celebration food in Kashmir.
●
Additionally, they frequently eat dried
vegetables because fresh supplies are scarce due to road blockages after heavy
snowfall.