This study demonstrates that religion and culture play a substantial role in shaping the dietary preferences of rural Malawians. Therefore, it is imperative that cultural and, specifically, religious factors are given due consideration when devising strategies to alleviate household food insecurity and promote food security. Despite years of substantial agricultural output, household food insecurity remains a persistent problem, primarily due to sociocultural factors influencing household food consumption. It has been proven that social activities such as weddings, initiation ceremonies, and funerals can significantly impact a household's food status. The study underscores the need for policymakers to incorporate cultural factors into food security interventions to produce more effective and equitable policies.
Keywords: culture; food choice; food security; religion; rural; traditions
Manuscript submitted to Food, Culture, and Society Journal |
