"For African-Americans, the connection between beans and fortune is surely complex. Perhaps, because dried black-eyed peas can be germinated, having some extra on hand at the New Year guaranteed sustenance provided by a new crop of the fast-growing vines. The black-eyed pea and rice combination also forms a complete protein, offering all of the essential amino acids. During slavery, one ensured of such nourishment was lucky indeed."
Jessica B. Harris in The New York Times discusses the importance of black-eyed peas for black Southerners at New Year's.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment