Programme content:
Feature: Gemma talks listeners through five popular spices they may have tasted but not know the name of, including curry leaves, tamarind and black cardamon.
Song: ‘While we live we learn’ (All about our school, no 3).
Story: Durga story by Kate Stonham.
Reflection: Children are asked to consider their favourite dish and whether there is an ingredient or spice in it that especially appeals to them.
Pre-programme questions:
- How would you describe the word spice?
- What spices can you name? And where do you think they come from?
- Indian / Pakistani / Bangladeshi food is full of spice. Why do you think that is?
- What words describe traditional British food? Do the same for Asian food.
Story synopsis:
Durga story by Kate Stonham. Mahishasura is a demon who is feared by everyone. But he longs to be powerful too. He pretends to be a devoted worshipper and tricks. Lord Brahma into granting him his wish: that he will be the most powerful demon, so strong that no man and no god can defeat him. None that is except Durga, a warrior goddess, whose bravery in confronting Mahishasura is an inspiration to all.
After the story:
- What was Mahishasura’s wish?
- Why did Brahma grant Mahishasura his wish?
- What did Mahishasura do as a result?
- How did Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva defeat Mahishasura?
- This is an important story for Hindus but Durga can inspire bravery for all of us. What do we need to be brave for this week?
Follow-up activities:
- Set each child the challenge of creating an acrostic using the word ‘spice’ to describe South Asian food.
- Get the children to work together in groups to draw a spice map. On a world map draw the locations of various spices from around the world. You may want to use the internet for research and pictures of the spices.
- Working in pairs give children the task of creating a world food menu with 5 options of starter, main course and desert. It should include pictures, descriptions, price and spice level.
Focus image: a bowl of spicy food, rice and bread. image
Click to display the image full size
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