This opinion piece is contributed by Isma Ishtiaq, a resident of Delta, British Columbia. To explore more of CBC’s First Person narratives, please refer to the FAQ page.
One cherished memory from my childhood involves family dinners where we sat cross-legged on a small beige mat. The sun would often be setting, casting a warm amber hue through the curtains. Our meal typically featured a delightful Pakistani dish — biryani, adorned with saffron threads, emanating a tantalizing aroma. Alternatively, we might enjoy butter chicken and homemade naan. Seated in a circle, we passed plates, exchanged stories, and shared highlights of our day. This tradition, passed down by my father from his upbringing in Lahore, transcended into our family life in the serene suburbs of north Delta, British Columbia.
My father always stressed that dining together on the floor was more than just a meal-sharing ritual; it was a humble act that instilled gratitude for the food we had. As I sat on that unassuming woven mat, I realized it symbolized the ties that bound us as a family and honored our cultural heritage across generations.
As time went by, my siblings and I grew busier with work, school, and other commitments, making it challenging to gather for family dinners. Over a decade had passed since we last sat on that beige mat.
Kimchi, chopsticks, Korean, French and English. It’s just a typical dinner with the Langevin Kim family in Verdun.
On a Thanksgiving evening when I turned 23, I decided to revive our family tradition of floor dining. I invited my friends from diverse cultural backgrounds to join us and experience this tradition. Despite the worn-out state of the mat I found in storage, my friends were eager to participate. We recreated the familiar circle on the living room floor, placing our Thanksgiving feast before us.
That night turned into a beautiful experience. My father, dining at the table, smiled and joined us on the floor, narrating the tradition to my friends. Other parents, observing from the dining table, were intrigued by our camaraderie. Most of my friends appreciated the experience, with one likening it to a cozy campfire setting.
