Happiness is a Good Rice Pot

With a history spanning 10,000 years, rice is an important cultural tradition for half the world’s population. The belief that the human body and soul are made of rice unites much of Asia and creates a deep spiritual connection to accompany the gastronomic history of rice. Rice deities usually referred to as the ‘Rice Mother,’ populate Asia giving rise to agricultural festivals and a rich mythology.

The Thai of Southeast Asia are believed to be the first to cultivate rice and it is the only crop farmers consider important enough to bless. Local rituals seek to ensure adequate rain, crop protection, and a good harvest. During the growing stage rice is ‘pregnant’ and bitter fruits are offered to the rice paddies to assuage cravings. Granaries are sacred temples where the spirits of rice dwell and straw dolls representing the Rice Mother are stored there along with the harvest. One must be careful not to startle the spirits lest they flee, taking the rice crop with them.

On New Year’s Day, elders shower Thai villagers with rice as a blessing. Boys enter into manhood by participating in the Lao Ghost Festival, which involves making ghost masks out of rice cooking implements

For the Balinese, rice is so important; its growing season defines their calendar year. Just before harvest, the elder women of Bali make Grandmother Rice figures out of rice stalks to watch over and protect rice in the granary. Rice is also left at the edges of the fields to ward off evil spirits and animals.

The rice terraces of the Philippines have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of their cultural significance. There are twelve rice festivals throughout the year, of which the most well known is the Pahiyas harvest festival.

In Vietnam, the Rice Mother stores her harvest in the shadows of the moon. In Cambodia farmers offer prayers and leave food for ancestral spirits believed to influence the rice crop.

Throughout Asia, no meal is complete without rice and rice can’t be made without a good rice pot. Honored guests are usually served from a well seasoned heirloom rice pot. Created out of locally available materials by expert artisans, traditional rice pots may be ceramic or baskets woven of bamboo used in conjunction with metal pots. Rice pot construction is functional and specific to the rice cooking method; steamed, boiled or grilled.

A round earthenware rice pot is used for steaming. The round shape generates even heat and movement of steam as the rice cooks. The lid fits inside the rice pot, a practical design feature to circulate water. A small hole at the top of the lid releases steam. Baskets set over boiling water yield sticky rice as the steam condenses in the grains.

Historically, rice pots were decorated with religious or agricultural motifs. Birds such as cranes were often featured due to their role in rice origin myths. Some rice pots were adorned with a motif of banana leaves, which were used to serve rice. No matter the shape or decoration, the rice pots of Asia bring the prosperity of the land to the table and the soul.

Pictured above Thai Rice Pot ($75) from CulturalElements.com