Cassava’s Cultural Recognition Inspires Latin America’s Global Unity
A United Nations recognition of cassava flatbread from five Latin American nations has ignited a renewed sense of pride and unity, with more countries eager to join in honoring the indigenous traditions that have sustained these cultures for centuries.
A Global Recognition for a Regional Tradition
The cassava flatbread, known for its deep roots in the cultural traditions of the Caribbean and Latin America, has officially been recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This recognition, announced on December 6, 2024, acknowledges the significance of cassava as a vital part of the region’s cultural and culinary heritage. What began as a grassroots movement to celebrate the unique preparation of this food, passed down from pre-Columbian indigenous peoples, has now become a symbol of cultural pride and unity for five countries: Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Honduras, and Venezuela.
The recognition has sparked a wave of interest throughout Latin America, with other countries eager to join in and have their local versions of cassava celebrated on the global stage. Brazil, Paraguay, Guatemala, and others are now in the process of compiling their own nominations, eager to honor the centuries-old traditions that tie the cassava to the history of their indigenous communities.
For Geo Ripley, an artist, researcher, and advocate for the recognition of cassava, the news was a long-awaited victory. “Ever since the announcement, my phone hasn’t stopped ringing,” he says. Ripley, who was born in Caracas and raised in the Dominican Republic, has been one of the leading voices pushing for the global acknowledgment of cassava. His excitement is palpable as he reflects on the impact of this achievement, not just for the countries involved but for the entire region.
The Roots of Cassava: A Shared Heritage Across Nations
The significance of cassava extends far beyond its culinary value. The flatbread made from the bitter cassava root, known as casabe, has a deep historical and cultural connection to the indigenous peoples of Latin America. This humble food, often prepared over an open fire, carries the legacy of the Taíno people, the first inhabitants of the Caribbean, and their ancestors who lived in the Amazon and Orinoco basins. From Venezuela to the Lesser Antilles, cassava has been integral to the daily life and traditions of millions of people across Latin America.
“Cassava is a cultural root that connects us all,” Ripley explains. “It’s not just a food; it’s a history that binds the entire region together. From the Amazon basin to the Greater Antilles, it’s a common thread that weaves through our shared heritage.”
The recognition of cassava by UNESCO is a celebration of this shared history. The process of its inclusion on the Intangible Cultural Heritage list was not an easy one. It required months of collaboration between the five nominated countries, with Haiti offering technical support in compiling the necessary documentation and the Dominican Republic leading the political and logistical efforts. The result is a collective acknowledgment of the enduring importance of cassava to the cultural identity of the region.
As Ripley explains, the cassava flatbread’s inclusion on UNESCO’s list is not just about food but about preserving and honoring the traditions of the indigenous peoples who have kept these customs alive for over a thousand years. “The recognition is about honoring the Taínos and other Amerindian groups, and the spiritual connection we still have to them today,” he says.
A Symbol of Resistance and Resilience
The cassava flatbread carries with it the weight of history. In the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and other Caribbean nations, cassava has been a symbol of survival and resilience. During colonial times, cassava was often seen as food for the poor, a staple for slaves and indigenous people who were marginalized by the colonial systems. However, over the centuries, cassava has evolved from a symbol of poverty into one of cultural pride.
Ripley believes that this transformation is central to the movement for cassava’s recognition. “For a long time, cassava was seen as ‘poor people’s food,'” he says. “But now we are reclaiming it as a symbol of our heritage, of the strength of our indigenous ancestors, and of the resilience of our communities.”
The process of elevating cassava to the level of UNESCO recognition has also become a way to acknowledge the Afro-Indigenous heritage that shaped the culture of the Caribbean and Latin America. The preparation of cassava, which involves a long and intricate process of grating, squeezing, and flattening the root, is a communal activity, often performed over an open fire. This process, unchanged for centuries, represents the labor and traditions of the indigenous people and their African descendants who kept these practices alive despite centuries of colonization and oppression.
“The cassava is not just a food; it is a spiritual and cultural act,” Ripley says. “It represents a connection to our ancestors, to the indigenous people who first cultivated it, and to the African slaves who carried these traditions with them.”
Expanding the Cassava Legacy
The inclusion of cassava on the UNESCO list is just the beginning. With the recognition, other countries are eager to share their own cassava traditions, hoping to expand the legacy of this cultural staple. Countries like Brazil, Guatemala, and Paraguay are now preparing their nominations, joining the growing movement to preserve and celebrate the rich history of cassava in Latin America.
“The cassava is native to the Amazon and Orinoco basins,” Ripley explains. “Countries like Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Brazil, and Paraguay all share this cultural heritage. As you move south, it’s there, all the way to the Caribbean, and it’s a part of our shared history.”
Ripley envisions a “Great Cassava Route,” a cultural and historical journey that traces the path of cassava from its origins in the Amazon region to the islands of the Caribbean and beyond. This route would not only celebrate the culinary aspects of cassava but also highlight the migration and cultural exchange that took place over centuries. “We want to create a cultural route that tells the story of this tuber, from its roots in the Amazon to its spread across the Caribbean and Latin America,” Ripley says.
As part of this vision, Ripley hopes to expand the recognition of cassava beyond the five countries currently listed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list. “There are so many countries that have their own versions of cassava, and they all contribute to this shared legacy,” Ripley says. “The next step is to ensure that all the countries with a rich cassava tradition are recognized and celebrated for their contribution to this global story.”
A Cultural Celebration for Future Generations
The recognition of cassava as a cultural heritage is not just about preserving the past; it is also about creating a future where young people can reconnect with their cultural roots. In countries like the Dominican Republic, cassava is still a common food, but it’s also becoming a symbol of national pride. As Ripley points out, cassava is now seen as a luxury food in many places, with artisanal producers creating high-end versions of the flatbread that are sold in supermarkets and restaurants.
“This is a product that’s not just for the masses anymore,” Ripley says. “It’s become a symbol of our culture and our identity. It’s something that we can be proud of.”
Ripley hopes that the UNESCO recognition will inspire young people to learn more about their cultural heritage and to take pride in the traditions of their ancestors. He envisions a future where the history of cassava is taught in schools and where future generations will continue to prepare and preserve the traditions associated with it.
“The cassava is a living symbol of our connection to the past,” Ripley says. “By recognizing it, we are ensuring that future generations will understand the importance of this cultural heritage and carry it forward.”
Celebrating a Shared Cultural Legacy
The recognition of cassava as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO is a momentous achievement for the five countries involved, but it also marks the beginning of a larger movement to celebrate and preserve the shared cultural heritage of Latin America and the Caribbean. As more countries seek to join in, the story of cassava will continue to unfold, connecting people across borders and generations.
For Geo Ripley, this is just the start of a larger journey to ensure that cassava’s legacy lives on for future generations. “This recognition is not just about the cassava; it’s about honoring the people who have kept these traditions alive,” he says. “It’s about celebrating our shared history and ensuring that it is passed down to the next generation with pride.”
Also Read: Latin America’s Culinary Gems Shine Bright in 2024 Rankings
As the cassava tradition spreads across Latin America, from the Amazon basin to the Caribbean, it serves as a reminder of the resilience and strength of the region’s indigenous and Afro-descendant peoples. It’s a story of survival, of cultural pride, and of unity—a story that is only just beginning to be told.
