It's More Fun in The Philippines: Filipino Kamayan
Photos by Minda Delos Santos Aranda
Defined by Urban Dictionary, boodle fight is a military style of eating where long tables are prepared and food are placed on top of banana leaves. Viands and rice are ready to eat using your bare hands. Jugs of water are prepared on the side to wash your hands before the "eating combat."
In the Filipino dialect Tagalog, the term kamayan means, "to shake hands" or an action "with hands." Eating with your kamay (hand) has been existent in the Philippines for centuries, and even after being introduced to cutlery, some Filipinos are custom to eating with their hands. In the Filipino culture, it is more common to use utensils when eating stews and soup such as Sinigang, Adobo and Bulalo. There are no rules and regulations as to when to eat with cutlery, though it is more of a preference. From fried, dried or baked, food such as fried tilapia and shrimp are more likely to be eaten by hand.
Filipinos are well known for their family, food and culture. One of the great things about a Boodle Fight/ Kamayan is that it brings everyone together. Literally. No plates. No cutlery. Just a lengthy banana leaf table top and a bundle of rice and what Filipinos describe viands as ulam in Tagalog.
Why banana leaves might you ask? Well for one, in the Philippines, many snacks are wrapped in banana leaves. These include Suman and Puto, which are sticky sweets that are steamed. There's no doubt that the leaves make such delicacies look decorative and unique, but also the banana leaves infuse the food with flavour. Banana leaves are a resourceful attribute to the Philippines, and its multi-use shows how creative and ambitious Filipinos can be with what comes from their island.
With family and friends gathered elbow to elbow, demolishing the Philippine's favourite dishes, Kamayan's unique and culture filled way of eating is an experience to add to your bucket list. If you can't experience it in the Philippines, take a trip to the Filipino restaurant in London that offers Pinoy's best foods, Kamayan sa Earl's Court and Kamayan sa Kilburn, and experience the Filipino’s taste of home.