European Food Meets Aboriginal Food: To What Extent did Aboriginal Food Cultures Influence Early German-Speaking Settlers in South Australia?

Abstract

The devastating effects of European foodstuffs and deprivation of traditional food sources on the diet of Aboriginal people in Australia in the nineteenth century are well known and documented. But interactions between early European settlers and Aboriginal people were often about food sources and records show that Aboriginal people were at first prepared to share their knowledge about edible plants and other food-related matters. This article examines early observations about Aboriginal peoples in South Australia written by some of the early European settlers. Looking at the food practices of the German Lutherans in South Australia, it will examine the extent to which the food customs of the Ngadjuri and Peramangk people influenced European food habits. It will offer suggestions about why some food customs were adopted and others ignored.

Keywords

• european settlement, aboriginal culture, south australia, ngadjuri, peramangk, german lutheran, diet, food, food custom