Crossroads of Culture 200 Years of Canadian Immigration (1800-2000)
Introduction Objects Photos & Papers Themes Kids & Teachers

Food

This clay jug was brought to Canada in 1938. The donor explains that fresh milk was placed into the pitcher, covered with cheesecloth and stored in a cool place. Within three days, the cream would rise to the top which was used to make butter and buttermilk. The rest of milk was used to make cheese. (Ukrainian)

This large wooden plate, encrusted with beads and perlite, inlaid with metal, is representative of the style around the area of Carpathia where the Hutsuls live (around the northern and southern slopes of the Carpathian Mountains in south western Ukraine). (Ukrainian)

Birthdays are a very important event among Chinese Canadians. The 50th birthday marks the start of the "important" birthdays, with every decade afterwards marking a significant milestone. The 80th and 90th are generally celebrated elaborately. On these occasions a multi-course dinner is served, often eaten by using the styles of chopsticks you see here. (Chinese)

This polished brass samovar was brought to Canada by a former Czarist cavalry officer who escaped from Russia after the October Revolution of 1917. Samovars of this quality were used for serving tea in grand households before the Communists seized power. https://www.historymuseum.ca/cmc/exhibitions/hist/advertis/adob-04e.html (Russian)

This Korean bowl, made of a polished wood was used by Buddhist monks to go to villages early in the morning to collect food that was offered to them. Today, food is generally brought directly to monasteries by the village lay-people. (Korean)

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