[Bryn-gwlad] forks and fingers (was: Feast Gear Questions)

[Coblaith Mhuimhneach]

Rahil al Nadir wrote:
> My family and I are from Al-Andulas (Moorish Spain).  We are 
> Andulasian Moors living in the city of Granada during the late 15th, 
> early 16th Centuries.  We are not extremely wealthy, but we are well 
> to do middle class type citizens.

Gaston asked:
> Would Al-Andulusian Moors use utensils to eat or serve, or is eating 
> with your hands more of a north African thing that didn't travel that 
> far?  Certain foods don't lend themselves to that approach without 
> being messy, but it might be worth considering.

Stefan answered:
> Forks were used almost no where within our period, so food often was 
> eaten with the fingers, knives and spoons. The fork came into use in 
> Renaissance Italy.

and Catalina added:
> The time period that question was asked for (pre-1450) I've not seen 
> much evidence of forks anywhere. I admit, since my persona hadn't been 
> born yet, I wasn't looking as hard.  However, by 1500, if you wanted 
> to be seen as better quality folks, you used those new fangled Italian 
> poking things.


We mustn't forget that Rahil's family is Arabic.  When forks made their 
way to Italy, it was through contact with the Arab world, where they'd 
been used in one way or another for quite some time.  As I stated 
earlier, if she wanted to use forks, I think they'd be quite 
justifiable, given her culture and indicated period.  (Provided, of 
course, they were in the medieval style--like those sold by Billy and 
Charlie, for instance <http://www.billyandcharlie.com/misc.html>.)  The 
article I mentioned in my reply to the initial question, at 
<http://www.maybe.org/~rodmur/sca/fork.html>, has more details (with 
cites).

As for eating with one's hands, as far as I've been able to determine, 
doing so was more the rule than the exception in Europe before forks 
became ubiquitous, so connections with northern Africa aren't really an 
issue.  (See the same article.)  Most foods can be neatly managed 
without utensils; the skill requires very little practice.  I've so 
consumed mashed potatoes and gravy, rice, and cole slaw, for example 
(not all in one sitting) without making a mess.  They're not period 
examples, but I doubt pottage would be any different.


Coblaith
<mailto:Coblaith at sbcglobal.net>