This opinion piece is contributed by Isma Ishtiaq, a resident of Delta, British Columbia. For additional information about personal narratives on CBC, please refer to the FAQ section.
A cherished memory from my childhood revolves around family dinners held on a small beige mat, with the sun setting, casting a warm glow through the room. These dinners often featured a delightful Pakistani meal, with dishes like biryani seasoned with saffron or butter chicken with homemade naan. Seated in a circle, we passed around plates, shared stories, and recounted the highlights of our day. This tradition, passed down from my father’s upbringing in Lahore to our suburban life in north Delta, was about more than just eating together; it symbolized gratitude for the food we had and the unity it brought to our family.
As time passed, our busy schedules led my siblings and me to drift away from these family dinners. Over a decade had gone by since we last gathered on that humble mat due to work, school, and other commitments.
Kimchi, chopsticks, Korean, French and English. It’s just a typical dinner with the Langevin Kim family in Verdun.
However, during a Thanksgiving dinner at the age of 23, I decided to revive this tradition. I invited my friends, who come from various cultural backgrounds, to join my family for dinner and experience our way of eating together on the ground. After locating the worn-out beige mat from storage, we recreated the circle on the living room floor, placing our Thanksgiving feast in front of us.
That evening turned into a beautiful moment as my father, witnessing our gathering, joined us on the ground, explaining the significance of this tradition. Our friends, intrigued by the experience, found joy in this shared meal, with one even likening it to a campfire gathering!
This event bridged the gap between our cultural heritage and Canadian customs, creating a blend of traditions in our home.
Inspired by this experience, my father decided to resurrect the tradition. Our family gathered once again on the mat, sharing stories and food, reaffirming the bond that ties