During the 18th century, the potato made its way into European households. As a member of the nightshade family —a family full of poisonous plants— the potato received little trust. Virtually every aspect of the plant inspired revulsion.
This strange and terrifying plant arrived in a society where folk magic and rituals reigned supreme. Magic was part of daily life. And whether they liked it or not, they needed the potato to survive.
Together, we decorated the table with magical salt patterns inspired by the sand drawings of the Kempen region. Salt, with its purifying properties, is traditionally regarded in folklore as an ingredient that wards off evil. This ceremonial act prepared us to eat the potato, with magical salt to dip them in, as if it were the very first time. During the meal, we talked about the history of the potato, folk culture in the 17th and 18th centuries, and the mysterious Bokkenrijders.
Pictures: Focuss 22
This strange and terrifying plant arrived in a society where folk magic and rituals reigned supreme. Magic was part of daily life. And whether they liked it or not, they needed the potato to survive.
Together, we decorated the table with magical salt patterns inspired by the sand drawings of the Kempen region. Salt, with its purifying properties, is traditionally regarded in folklore as an ingredient that wards off evil. This ceremonial act prepared us to eat the potato, with magical salt to dip them in, as if it were the very first time. During the meal, we talked about the history of the potato, folk culture in the 17th and 18th centuries, and the mysterious Bokkenrijders.
Pictures: Focuss 22