Reviving a Homeland — One Recipe at a Time

By Ahtaram Shin

Today, we didn’t just launch a magazine. We revived a homeland on paper — one recipe at a time. Rohingyatographer Magazine’s third issue, Food for Thought, is a journey into the heart of Rohingya survival: our food, our identity, our undeniable claim to existence.

The presentation was rich with the aromas of Modú Baat (Honey Rice), Zála Fiçá, Mohinga, Durus Kura, beef curries, and Falooda — forty dishes that carried more than just flavor. They carried the soul of Arakan.Each bite was an act of defiance against the Myanmar regime’s systematic erasure of Rohingya culture. In refugee camps, where ingredients are scarce and traditions risk fading, this event became an act of revival.

"This isn't just food, and this isn't just a meal. It is proof we still exist," said Jaitun Nara, a Rohingya photographer featured in the magazine. "These recipes are the last threads connecting our children to Arakan. When we cook Durus Kura and make Musa, we're not just preparing a meal — we are keeping our history alive."

By documenting and presenting these dishes, we affirmed that food is not only nourishment — it is resistance, remembrance, and an act of cultural preservation.

Over the years, Rohingyatographer has published a range of works and exhibited them across many countries. Food for Thought — Volume 3 of the magazine — now stands as one of the great treasures of Rohingya culture and memory, centred around food. The Rohingyatographer community remains determined to share their food stories worldwide and to advocate for their rights.

The event reminded us: food is identity. Food is memory. Food is survival. Cultural erasure is a form of genocide. The Myanmar regime’s atrocities did not only aim to end Rohingya lives; they sought to wipe out Rohingya culture — including its rich culinary traditions. Forced from their land, many Rohingya now struggle to keep these traditions alive, and precious dishes have already begun to disappear.

"Preserving Rohingya food is preserving our stories, our land, and our right to be remembered. These food magazines are maps that lead us back home," said Umme Kulsum.

Food has always been woven into Rohingya life. Our people farmed rice, raised cattle, fished the rivers, and cultivated the land seasonally. Every recipe carries a unique color, aroma, and story born from Arakan’s soil.

But in the refugee camps, traditional ingredients are rare, and the opportunity to practice ancestral professions has vanished. Without this, the culinary culture passed down through generations teeters on the edge of extinction.

"Before the genocide, my family owned paddy fields stretching to the horizon," shared Mohammed Ayas, whose photographs document Rohingya food traditions. "Now we queue for rations. This magazine shows what was stolen from us — not just land, but an entire way of life."

The history must be told clearly: Myanmar authorities systematically seized Rohingya farmland under discriminatory laws, redistributing it to Buddhist Rakhine settlers. The military and extremist groups burned crops, poisoned river, destroyed livestock — tactics aimed at starving, displacing, and erasing the Rohingya people.

Generations of farming knowledge and self-sufficiency were lost. Once independent and skilled in nourishing themselves, Rohingya families are now forced into dependency on humanitarian aid. Meanwhile, younger generations grow up without ever tasting — or even knowing — the traditional dishes of their ancestors.

Historically renowned as farmers, traders, and fishers, the Rohingya are now banned from fishing and forbidden to buy seeds or fertilizers. Even small-scale food production has been crippled.

These painful truths — and the powerful memories that survive — are captured vividly in Food for Thought. This magazine is not just a publication; it is a living archive.

Muhammad, 72, a Rohingya elder, holds Rohingyatographer Magazine Issue-3: ‘Food For Thought’ with both hands, quietly opening its pages. As he flips through, his expressions, though silent, reveal a flood of emotions, connecting him deeply to the memories of his homeland, Arakan. © Ayub Khan Dkl

"This issue is more than pages; it is a testament to survival. Our food holds our identity and our history. This documentary is a tool for justice. We call on the world to recognise it," expressed Mr. Haris.

The success of this event is a testament to the hard work of Rohingyatographer’s core team: Sahat, Yassin, Ahtaram, Ishrat, Hairu, and Enayet, and over 30 photographers whose dedication made the launch of Food for Thought possible. Special thanks to them for not only producing such a powerful showcase but also for inviting distinguished guests, including Mohammed Jamjoom from Al Jazeera English, whose presence added deep significance to the occasion. Speaking at the event, Mohammed Jamjoom praised the Rohingyatographers' extraordinary achievements:

"Nobody does a better job of documenting the daily lives of your community than you all do," he said. "The storytelling, the photography, the preservation of culture — it’s truly inspiring. You show the world what the fight of the Rohingya really is."

He emphasised the importance of continuing to share these stories with the world, adding: "This work not only preserves your history but inspires others and shows the reality of your lives to the world. It’s an honour to be here and to witness your incredible efforts."

Their presence and words were a powerful reminder that the Rohingya story must continue to be told — and that every dish, every photograph, every story contributes to that fight.

Rohingyatographer is a refugee-led project, driven by its core team — Sahat, Yassin, Ahtaram, Ishrat, Hairu and Enayet — who shape its vision and direction. Since 2021, David Palazón, who worked as curator implementing the Rohingya Cultural Memory Centre for IOM, has been quietly supporting the team, offering technical advice, design support, and production assistance — always following the leadership and creative direction of the Rohingya photographers themselves.

Reflecting on the project, David shared: "Rohingyatographer is about empowerment, authenticity, and collaboration".

Sahat concluded: "Rohingyatographer is a platform built around real experiences, where every voice truly matters."

Food for Thought is more than a magazine.

It is a revival of memory.

It is a map back to home.

It is a bold act of resistance against erasure.

Through food, photography, and storytelling, the Rohingya assert their existence, their history, and their right to a future.This project stands as a living testament to survival, dignity, and the unwavering spirit of a people who refuse to be forgotten.

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