This study deals with three domains of food which raise complex epistemological, political and moral issues. Through an examination of a wide range of material drawn from anthropology, history, literature and political economy, the author discusses the relationship between food and entitlement, gender, notions of the body and development. Food is shown to be a powerful metaphor for our sense of self, our social and political relations, our cosmology and our global system.

Over 50 years ago, the renowned anthropologist Daryll Forde strongly advocated comparative anthropological studies. Professor Vansina argues that 50 years later, Forde's criticisms still apply despite both Forde's considerable intellectual legacy and an exponential increase in available information. Using the example of Central African peoples, Professor Vansina challenges the current scholarship of sociologists and anthropologists, and makes a compelling case for broad, historical, comparative studies.