The Incredible, Edible Balut ETHNOGRAPHIC PERSPECTIVES ON THE PHILIPPINES' FAVORITE LIMINAL FOOD

    Authors

    T. Matejowsky

    Comments

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    Food Cult. Soc.

    Keywords

    street food; Philippines; cultural identity; Sociology

    Abstract

    This paper provides a critical food analysis of balut. These popular Filipino street snacks comprised of partially incubated duck eggs with a decidedly liminal character have become increasingly familiar to Westerners over recent years thanks to their most sensationalized depictions in various genres of popular culture. A number of pertinent examples from Western reality television, independent film, post-grunge alternative rock, international prizefighting, and myriad foodie/gastroporn websites, as well as my own ethnographic experience in the Philippines dating back to the mid-1990s, highlight balut's symbolic value both in the construction of identity for native Filipinos and as a rite of passage for others.

    Journal Title

    Food Culture & Society

    Volume

    16

    Issue/Number

    3

    Publication Date

    1-1-2013

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    387

    Last Page

    404

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000324661900004

    ISSN

    1552-8014

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