Central Valley Culinary Landscapes: Ethnic Foodways of Sikh Transnationals

This study explores the Americanization process of Sikhs in California's Central Valley based on the degree to which cuisine has evolved and consumptive patterns have changed since their arrival in the area. Drawing on insights from cultural geography and anthropology, this research examines the ethnic foodways of Sikh transnationals. The foods consumed by Central Valley Sikhs constitute fundamental components of ethno-cultural and geographical identity. This study contends that migrants experience foodway assimilation differently based on geographic location, age at arrival, and current age. The study employs multiple methods, including intensive field research, open-ended questionnaires, participant observation, and in-depth personal interviews. Because contact with American cultures has resulted in exposure to new types of foods, understanding which traditional foodways have resisted change will help clarify the process of acculturation. This study also reveals the role that spatial relationships play in maintaining a traditional diet.