Never Eat Alone: The Meaning of Food Sharing in a Sumatran Fishing Village

Abstract

The distribution of food is a central focus of a wide range of behaviors and values in Dusun Baguk, a Sumatran fishing village. Abundant food must be shared with others, and individuals who demonstrate a reticence to share face negative sanctions. At the same time, generosity with food can constitute an avenue for prestige acquisition, yet status-striving is constrained by an egalitarian ethos. Issues of generosity, status, and reciprocity inform food distribution and consumption in both public and private domains, and across both religious and secular contexts. Throughout, commensalism is the hallmark of group membership. Dusun Baguk food norms and values are examined in light of behavioral ecological concepts of risk management, tolerated theft, and show-off distribution of resources.