Traditions, food, and more!

This year’s Celebrate Diversity Month theme is “Listen to people from other cultures.”?

In the spirit of this theme, we chatted with Arielle Laguette, Barel Alcantara, Bongani Mbigi, and Olivia Suniura to learn more about their cultural pride and the impact of food on their cultures.

What makes me proud of Brazilian culture is our vibrant energy. When you think of Brazil, you often think of bright colors, rhythmic music, and amazing food. The lively atmosphere is what draws you in!

Food is a way of connection [in our culture]. Whether we’re in the kitchen making brigadeiro for a celebration or simply sharing feijoada for lunch, we come together to be present in the moment and enjoy each other's company.

When I'm craving a taste of home, I usually order Brazi Bites from H-E-B! It’s also known as p?o de queijo or cheese bread. It's usually eaten as a snack or appetizer to a meal. It’s highly addictive!

I was born in Puerto Rico to Dominican parents, so I was often traveling between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. I have a lot of fond memories and traditions that shaped me. Big family gatherings [involve] preparing dishes that are shared around the table. Typical comfort dishes tend to feature rice and beans, as well as braised meats, and plantain- or cassava- (yuca) based sides or fritters such as tostones, mofongo, or amarillos (sweet plantains).

Culture is foundational to who we are as individuals, and it runs deeper than just the history of a country or region. To me, culture is also about the collection of lived experiences and traditions that are passed on through generations. Having now lived in Texas for over a decade, it's very interesting to me how childhood and past experiences are blending with new ones; many cultures, rich in their own way!?

Food holds a profound significance in our cultural tapestry, serving as a conduit for tradition and a celebration of communal bonds. It occupies a central role in our rituals and gatherings, offering a tangible expression of our heritage and a medium through which shared experiences are created and cherished.

In South Africa, culture is the very essence of our identity, deeply rooted in the philosophy of Ubuntu: the understanding that "I am because we are." Our culture is not just about who we are as individuals, but how we relate to and are shaped by our relationships with others.

My family is from Zimbabwe and our staple food is sadza. This thickened, dough-like porridge made from cornmeal is served as a side in place of rice. Eating with our hands, we fashion small balls of sadza and use them to scoop up meat and vegetables. It’s our take on fufu.

Culture is connection, joy, meaning; it’s a sense of belonging and the freedom to be exactly who I am. Culture can come from so many things, but within the context of family, I grew up as a first-generation American from French and Mexican cultures.

In France, food and sharing a meal is all about slowing down and being present. This shows up in the attention to detail you see in French cooking and patisserie. [We] savor our time at the table, forget about our worries, and focus on what’s right there in front of us (which is usually delicious).