The Keepers of Marenda (Mid-morning Snack): Male Culinary Groups in Stari Grad, Croatia Cover Image

Čuvari marende: muški kulinarski kružoci u Starome Gradu
The Keepers of Marenda (Mid-morning Snack): Male Culinary Groups in Stari Grad, Croatia

Author(s): Jelena Ivanišević
Subject(s): Cultural history, Customs / Folklore, Local History / Microhistory
Published by: Institut za etnologiju i folkloristiku
Keywords: culinary practices; men’s eating practices; leisure; masculinity; conviviality; marenda; traditional cuisine; the island of Hvar;

Summary/Abstract: This paper describes and contextualizes one segment of culinary practices by an older generation of men on the island of Hvar. The practices are not realized as everyday housework, but as part of social practices of free time. In contrast to the routinized everyday female cooking typically described through the concept of caring labor, male culinary practices belong to leisure. Still, the range of meanings that men attribute to private cooking is wide and varied. Without going in detail into the implications of gender roles, this article is an attempt to shed light on male culinary practices and rituals, particularly those related to social life. Their identity potential and importance, as well as significance in the transfer of culinary knowledge, is frequently completely overlooked.

  • Issue Year: 58/2021
  • Issue No: 2
  • Page Range: 185-203
  • Page Count: 19
  • Language: Croatian