Reviving Traditional Wisdom: The Cultural Significance and Culinary Heritage of Millets in Jaffna

Abstract

Millets are ancient, nutrient-rich cereals traditionally cultivated and consumed across Sri Lanka. They are known for their health benefits and hold cultural significance in rural diets. Despite their value, millets are now underutilized, calling for renewed attention and revival efforts. This study explores the cultural significance and culinary potential of millets while examining the factors contributing to their reduced presence in contemporary diets. The objectives of the study were to identify the millet varieties currently cultivated in Jaffna, understand the reasons for their underutilization and develop millet-based food products to promote their dietary inclusion. Field observations were conducted to millet cultivation areas where finger millet, little millet, foxtail millet, pearl millet, kodo millet and sorghum were identified. A visit to a processing factory in Karainagar revealed that millets cultivated by local farmers are cleaned, milled and packaged as grain and flour for sale. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect socio- demographic data from 100 participants. During millet identification, participants could only recognize finger millet as a food source, while other varieties were largely identified as bird feed. Discussions with the participants revealed barriers to millet use, including lack of awareness on cooking methods, limited availability in grocery stores and challenges in milling raw millet using standard mills. Rice and wheat remain dominant staples in the region. To address these gaps, a range of millet-based food products were developed, such as dosa, idli, string hoppers, pittu,hoppers, porridge, kool, milk rice, sweets, savories, cakes, and cookies. Awareness sessions were conducted to the community on millet benefits and encourage daily use. The study concludes that reviving traditional wisdom on millets is crucial for preserving Jaffna’s cultural and nutritional heritage. The findings highlight the need for community education, innovative millet-based products, and improved supply chains. Enhancing awareness and accessibility can effectively restore millets as essential elements of daily diets and local food traditions.