Pilovi Hamsoya
I’ve learned some new things living practically on my own here in the 33rd mikrorayon. For exampe: pilovi hamsoya, which means, “Neighbourly Pilaf”.
In Tajikistan, whenever you make a big proper dinner- say, pilov (a.k.a. plov, pilaf, pilaw…) or a big soup, you should take a plate to the neighbour as well. This is particularly true if the neighbour is somehow needy but it goes for all neighbours that are on speaking terms. However I think in apartments you just do it for your friendly neighbours because nobody brings a plate of pilaf to all four or all ten of their pod’yezdniki.
As it turns out I am needy in the sense that I am alone with a small infant, so my neighbours are always bringing me food. However there is a corollary: you can’t return the plate empty.
I’m also presuming that you don’t return it full of burnt oatmeal, either, which makes this kind tough for me. They say that if you haven’t made anything decent, then you can return it full of sweets or fruits. However that has its limits as well. I don’t want to return every plate full of the same chocolate-covered waffle treats, and since fruits are so expensive, I don’t want them to feel I’m showing off by giving them a week’s salary of fruit in return for some pilaf.
This has forced me to try to cook. As someone who enjoys cooking but not peeling potatoes, it’s been a little tough. After all that’s so time consuming and who can do it with a tiny baby? But that’s what I’m off to do now. I’ll bring them some when I re-heat it tomorrow as it’s already embarrassingly late to be starting dinner.
So far I’ve gotten five plates of theirs, four of which contained real food, and have returned only two with real food, and the rest with semi-food such as homemade halva, fruits, and chocolates. Slacker.
- The CIS | Time: 13.0.17 (UTC+8)
Candide, How people who want to do us favours not always do us favours, really! Sometimes it all becomes a self fulfilling prophecy.. Like the first time you tell your mother in law, you really liked that &&^^%% tart she made. Guaranteed, you will get one every visit, plus one for the road. Just to do you a favour. And each time you can not refuse.
PS: in your link list: Under African Skies is indeed in Dutch. You can remove your doubt..
P.
Comment by PeterC — 27.02.2007 @ 06.0.51
Peter- Indeed. Although since my neighbour is a good cook and I don’t have time, I still end up cooking less and at least this way I get to eat stuff that isn’t burnt. Thanks for the c;arification about Dutch.
Comment by Administrator — 27.02.2007 @ 08.0.18
What did you cook for them? On a side note, do you have a good Plov recipe?
Comment by Shannon — 28.02.2007 @ 06.0.40
This is just a custom and not obligatory. These are all symbolic and do not harm your economy at all.
You can or cannot share food with neighbours, if somebody gives you food you can return the plate empty as well, but it just doesn’t look good, that’s all, it is not that your neighbour scolds you for returning empty.
And it is not an everyday or often task, you can share food with neighbors on special occasions, not always or every day. For example, if you have guests and made food for them more than they need, so you can give some food to your neighbour, before it remains and spoils. Or during traditional festivals or family holidays or special days you can offer food to your neighbors, and I think this tradition is seen in many other nations also, not just Tajiks.
Comment by Faramarz — 28.02.2007 @ 07.0.30
Shannon- No. My plov is crap.
Faramarz- Thank you for stopping by! Fortunately my neighbours consider me to be in a very pitiable situation- my husband works outside of the country and I am alone with a baby- so they give me food often. Thank you for the clarification.
Comment by Administrator — 01.03.2007 @ 03.0.26
I don’t peel potatoes, or carrots. Even when I make mashed potatoes I don’t peel the potatoes. The majority of the vitamins and minerals are in the skins and they taste so yummy!
I prefer the custom where you don’t feel obligated to do anything in return.
Comment by Sylvana — 02.03.2007 @ 02.0.45