Hirisi (Keşkek) as a ceremonial dish in a multicultural society: Culinary traditions in Hatay

Purpose: This paper's focus is on the cultural and symbolic importance of Hirisi (keşkek), a sacred meal served during multiple religious rites in Hatay, a multicultural area.Holtzman and Assmann serve as the theoretical foundation for the study of food and its role in cultural memory formation and building social solidarity.The City of Gastronomy title bestowed upon Hatay by UNESCO in 2017 reinforced the role of hirisi in connection to regional gastronomic identity and the preservation of cultural heritage.Design/methodology/approach: In this study, which adopts a qualitative research approach, two data collection methods were used: non-participant observation and document analysis.The primary data collected in this study consist of non-participant observation data from three major religious and cultural rituals held in Hatay in 2024.Results: According to the finding, the meaning attached to Hirisi represents more than an edible product in itself, but it is an important representation that can assist the people of Hatay in understanding the many cultural mixes that exist within their cuisine.The sharing of this particular dish (Hirisi) serves as a reminder for individuals of the Christian Orthodox, Armenian, and Muslim Alevis communities that they all share an identity, creates a sense of community, and contributes to the preservation of each community's cultural diversity through their religious practices.Discussion: This study demonstration of the manner in which food fosters social cohesion and preserves cultural diversity within Christian Orthodox, Armenian, and Muslim Alevi communities supports the international acceptance of regional food identities under the UNESCO label of Hatay.Consequently, future research endeavors shall concentrate on the feasibility of incorporating Hirisi into cultural and costume preservation strategies, as well as its role in facilitating the transmission of Hirisi from one generation to the next, in addition to its function as a source of sustenance.