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Taboo
 

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are
considered ''treyf'', non- Kosher ("unfit" or "unclean") in Judaism or Haraam ("forbidden") in Islam ]]
Taboo food and drinks are food and drink which people abstain from consuming for religious or cultural reasons.


ORIGINS AND RATIONALE


Certain foods may be considered taboo by the rules promulgated by a religion concerning what is and what is not allowed to be eaten. The term is especially used in relation to Judaism and Islam, as well as the widespread Hindu prohibition on slaughtering Sacred Cow s. Many religions include such rules, although they rarely reach the level of breadth and detail which is observed in Judaism.

These rules can cover such matters as permissible and impermissible foodstuffs, rules regarding how food is to be slaughtered, and prohibited combinations of food (some foods, even though permissible in themselves, are not allowed in combination). Some foods may also be prohibited during certain festivals, even though normally allowed; and some foods may be prohibited only to particular classes of people (e.g. priests), but allowed for others.

Various religions forbid the consumption of certain types of food. For example, Judaism prescribes a strict set of rules, called '' Kashrut '', regarding what can and cannot be eaten. Certain denominations of Christianity also hold to these or similar rules. In Islam ic practice, the laws of Haram and Halal dictate, among other things, certain foods which may not be eaten. Hindu s, and Jains often follow religious directives to observe Vegetarianism and avoid Eating Meat . Hinduism has no specific proscriptions against eating meat, so some Hindus do eat meat. However, many other Hindus apply the concept of " Ahimsa " (non-violence) to their diet, so they advocate and practice forms of vegetarianism. Due to philosophical differences and dietary needs among many modern Indian Hindus, ''all'' meat is considered a taboo except Mutton (usually in India the goat's flesh, or sometimes sheep's flesh), Chicken and Fish .

Australian Aborigines traditionally had personal Totem s. While religious practices varied from group to group, it was common that the eating of the totemic animal was considered taboo, either by the entire clan, or the individual with the personal totem.

Also comparable is the strong prohibition among Manchu s against the eating of Dog meat, which is a common part of the cuisine among the Manchus' neighboring Northeastern Asian peoples - though in this case the prohibition is not grounded in a specific religious tradition. (The Manchus also avoid the wearing of hats made of dog's fur, common among their neighbors).

Aside from conscious taboos there are unconscious cultural Taboo s against the consumption of some animals. For example, even though there is no law against eating Dog Meat in the United States and Europe, it is widely considered unacceptable. In Southeast Asia, most countries excluding Vietnam rarely consume dog meat either because of Islamic or Buddhist values or animal rights as in the Philippines . Similarly, Horse Meat is rarely eaten in the US and UK, but is common in some parts of continental Europe and is considered a Delicacy in Japan ('' Basashi ''). Within a given Society , some meats will be considered taboo simply because they are outside the range of the generally accepted definition of a foodstuff, not necessarily because the meat is considered repulsive in Flavor , Aroma , Texture or appearance.

Some authorities impose cultural food taboos in the form of law. This is alleged to be dietary Persecution and possibly Human Rights Abuse . For example, even after resumption to Chinese rule, Hong Kong has not lifted its ban on supplying meat from dogs and cats, imposed in colonial times. A fairly recent addition to cultural food taboos is that of eating the meat and/or eggs of Endangered Species or animals that are otherwise protected by law or international treaty. Examples of such protected species include Whale s, Sea Turtle s, and Migratory Bird s.

The origin of food taboos is still being debated. Some claim they are a result of health considerations or other practical considerations,Harris, Marvin, Good to Eat, ISBN 0-04-306002-1 other say it's a result of human symbolic systems.Douglas, Mary, Purity and Danger, ISBN 0-415-28995-5


TABOO FOOD


Amphibians and reptiles

Both Judaism and Islam strictly forbid the consumption of Amphibian s
such as frogs and Reptile s such as Crocodile s and Snake s. Nevertheless,
frogs are raised commercially in certain countries and Frog Legs are considered a delicacy in France , Portugal , Italy , China , Caribbean and in parts of the USA .

Consumption of snakes has a long history in China and Vietnam where it is seen as a
  url http://wwwuscedu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/hadithsunnah/bukhari/067sbthtml
  title Translation of Sahih Bukhari, Book 67: Hunting, Slaughtering
  publisher University of Souther California: USC-MSA Compendium of Muslim Texts