Bengal is home to several unique foods and snacks. From puffed rice to narkel bora (coconut balls), there are foods that may be native to these shores but are loved well beyond it. In fact, the diaspora looks for these unique foods to stay rooted to culture and tradition.
One of these unique native Chemical and preservative-free food products is the goyna bori. The word ‘goyna’ means jewellery and it refers to the intricate designs of the bori or dried lentil dumplings. This dish is also known as the Gohona bori.
In today’s blog, we will take a look at the Goyna Bori, its making, the makers, its history, and the craftsmanship behind these intricately designed ‘boris.’
What Is the Goyna Bori?
The goyna bori is a type of dried dal (lentil) dumpling. It is made by grinding lentils that have been soaked overnight in a shil-pata. The shil-pata is a traditional mortar and pestle that is still used in some very traditional homes to grind Indian spices.
Once these lentils are made into a paste, the boris are given a shape and pattern. So, what makes the goyna bori so beautiful? It is the skill of the women who make and craft this unique product.
The goyna bori can have different shapes. The patterns that go into making these beautiful boris include flowers, leaves, elephants, butterflies, fish, shells, lotus, cacti, peacock and ‘alpona.’ Alpona is a kind of traditional folk art practised by the women of Bengal.
The intricate designs are a testament to the inherent artistic capabilities of the women who make these boris. The makers can choose their own designs and patterns for these ‘boris.’
Since they hand-crafted, these boris might have slight change in the shape and pattern at times.
These organic food products are handcrafted. The lentil paste is used to make designs on a bed of poppy seeds and let out to dry in the sun. There is a history behind the poppy seed aspect of this snack.
Before the British came to India, the ‘goyna bori did not make use of poppy seeds. It was only when the British forced the people of Bengal to grow poppy, that this handmade item got a new direction.
The Nobel Laureate Tagore was very impressed with the goyna bori, after a student presented him with one made by her mother and grandmother. He went so far as to consider eating it as the destruction of art! Tagore is not the only one. Goyna boris look beautiful and the effort it takes to make one, is laudable.
The goyna bori can be had as a snack or as an accompaniment with rice and dal. It’s a light, crispy item that can be eaten without rice too.
The women of Bengal, especially in the district of Midnapore, are renowned for making these treats.
The goyna bori is one of the best chemical and preservative-free food product from rural Bengal. This item is still made, by a handful of Midnapore artisans, who are trying to keep the tradition alive.
So, the next time you invite your friends over for a special lunch or dinner, have a plateful of these artistic items. They will relish it!
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