Food and Local Social Harmony: Pork, Communal Dining, and Muslim-Christian Relations in Flores, Indonesia

This study explores the relations between Catholics and Muslims in Manggarai based on their perspectives on pork being served in communal dining settings. Pigs carry a significant meaning for people in Manggarai as a sacrificial animal, a symbol of culture and belief which is why pork has been served as the main course at various celebrations. It is common for a Muslim family to provide a pig at certain rituals, notwithstanding the fact that they will not eat it. To cater for Muslim families, Catholic families have a tradition called woni, whereby they serve their Muslim guests a pork-flee 'special menu. This tradition, however, has become less popular over the past few years because of its sensitive and conflicting nature. Through a socio-historic approach, this study argues that food can be a medium to both strengthen and sever inter-faith relations. This includes a closer look at a new dakwah movement, the politics of identity, religious conflicts, majority-minority tensions in Indonesia and abroad are also key factors that can affect Catholic-Muslim relations in Manggarai.