ROLE OF DIET IN SUSTAINING THE FAMILY AND COMMUNITY TIES

Social Innovation Design Anchored on Traditional Dietary Culture in Ngiwal, Republic of Palau

Abstract

In the process of globalization, the loss of traditional dietary culture has significantly weakened family and community ties and has led to a disregard for natural resources. The research on designing a living in Ngiwal State, Republic of Palau, attempts to bring to fore the crucial issues involved in this ongoing social change and offer solutions to allow societies and individuals to cope with them. A research team from Chiba University visited the research site thrice from May 2010 to April 2011 to conduct in-depth interviews and collect data about the area's traditional dietary culture and public opinion. Based on an analysis of the results, the team concludes that: One, the local people are conscious of the importance of traditional dietary culture; however, the reality, or their behavior, does not reflect this. For example, many families do not teach their daughters the skills for taro cooking at home. Two, to pass down the social values associated with this dietary culture to future generations, implementation of the designing-a-living concept should integrate the essential design elements such as the communication, cooperation, concept of a "mother's taste," and ancestors' wisdom. Three, the importance of traditional dietary culture should be understood to bestow a higher social value on diet because it affects family and community ties, as well as the environment. Bearing these in mind, the research team put forward three proposals, such as the conduct of taro cooking workshops, publication of children's books, and painting of myths and legends about the area's dietary culture in a public space.