Bohra Cuisine

02/12/2019

16/06/2018

Eid Mubarak!

27/11/2017

BTL Activity at SZABIST 100!

24/11/2017

A glimpse from our yesterday's BTL Activity at SZABIST 100!

22/11/2017

- #5

After each diner has tasted a pinch of salt, the first course is served. Interestingly, the first course is usually a dessert. In the Bohra dialect of Lisan-ul D`awat, desserts are called mithaas (sweets) and the savoury dishes kharaas. The first sweet dish can be either a traditional Indian sweetmeat or something modern like ice cream, unless it's a celebration, when the sodannu (a tiny serving of cooked rice with ghee and sugar) takes first place.

21/11/2017

- #4

Food is eaten using all five fingers, preferably of the right hand. Each dish is placed in the centre of the thaal from where each member will take his or her share. The meal begins and ends with a pinch of salt. It is believed that this tasting of salt before and after meal prevents 72 diseases.

20/11/2017

- #3

During a community meal, the thaal is not placed until all eight diners are present, because the portions served are intended to suffice that number. Bohras have a no-wastage policy so not a single morsel should be left on the thaal when it is taken away.

19/11/2017

- #2

The thaal is elevated with a tarakti (stand) which is placed in the middle of a square piece of cloth called a safra, laid out on the floor. Out of respect for the bounty of food, a laden thaal should not be left unattended; it is not placed until at least one person is seated for the meal.

18/11/2017

- #1

Bohra etiquette for meals requires that hands are washed both before and after the meal. Thus, in a communal dinner or when guests are invited home, once everyone is seated, it is common for a serving member to go around with a chelamchi lota (basin and jug) and wash the guests' hands.