From soil to soul

I deemed it fit to culminate the observance of the nutrition month by sharing relevant inputs and significant experiences. Just a stone throw away from our abode; it has been a morning routine every Sunday to buy a couple of dailies and some native delicacies for breakfast at the church sidewalk. But for the past two Sundays, some fresh vegetables and fruits were ubiquitous. These were very cheap, half the price when bought in the market.

When asked about the source and cultivation method, sellers rejoined that the produce are organically grown. But I know that such kind is expensive especially in grocery stores. This is so as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations indicates supply of certified organic products is limited as compared to demand. And production costs are typically higher because of greater labor inputs per unit of output.

Nutritionist and depth psychologist, Dr. Susan Lee Guadarrama, in her book  “The Alchemy of Food” provides higher regard and value for food. 

Dr. Guadarrama remarks that probably to some, food and its significance to their lives has been relegated to biology and chemistry. Maintaining a superficial attitude toward food has also convinced us that our bodies are like machines that simply need to be refueled by the appropriate vitamins and minerals. This is without regard to the spiritual, emotional, psychological and social needs. Because of this, for most of us, food production, preparation, and eating have lost much of its soul. 

Beyond the physical attribute is the higher spiritual meaning.  It is in partaking of the bread that we appreciate the miracle of the harvest. It is in devouring of the meat that we care for the sacrifice of the animal. It is in indulging in alcoholic beverages and having good time that we elevate our minds to a higher plane.

Far from perceiving food for sustenance is the feeding of the soul, a means of worship and a social binder. Food rituals continue to tie societies together. The food we eat and our outlook affect what we think, say, feel and do. Thus giving us the ability to improve our quality of life and give more meaning to it.

But more than its basic nutritive function, the very source of the food is worth citing—the soil. Soil provides nourishment for plants and ground for the animals. Its importance can't be underemphasized. Even America's 32nd president Franklin Roosevelt once said that a nation that destroys its soil destroys itself. A soil is a gift that must be nurtured and treasured.

What is complex, life-giving, and sacred to some, is ordinary, even horrid, to others. This is the enigma that is soil.

Soil can be linked to culture and the arts. Dance movements are very much grounded on the origin of creatures or beings. Stamping of the feet on the ground, for instance, signifies one's reference and reverence to one's origin. Commonly used in tribal rituals, the movement oftentimes would evoke the earth's breath. In visual arts, soil is used as a medium in painting. The Talaandig, indigenous people of the Banwaon tribe residing mostly in northern and western Bukidnon, make use of soil for painting. They gather soil of different hues and use white glue as paint binder. This technique called soil painting has been practiced by the group as a living tradition.

Another religious-cultural significance of soil is being highlighted in the Taong Putik Festival in Bibiclat, Nueva, Ecija. This unique and indigenous ritual honors Saint John the Baptist. Devotees smear themselves with mud and dressed in dry banana or coconut leaves to emulate Saint John the Baptist who hid himself as the chosen one to baptize Jesus Christ.

From a humbling characteristic to a life-giving source to uplifting the soul, without a doubt, soil creates meaning in individual and shared efforts and experiences.