Pashofa facts for kids
Sweet white corn
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| Type | Stew |
|---|---|
| Course | Main |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Region or state | Southeastern Woodlands |
| Created by | Chickasaw and Choctaw people |
| Main ingredients | White hominy maize |
| Variations | Salt, pork |
Pashofa, also known as pishofa, is a special soupy dish. It comes from the Chickasaw and Choctaw Indian peoples. This dish is made from cracked white corn, which is also called pearl hominy.
Pashofa is very important to the Chickasaw people. They have served it for hundreds of years. You can find it at many important events. It is also used in certain healing ceremonies.
Contents
How to Make Pashofa
Traditionally, people made pashofa with dried corn. They would grind the corn into a powder called cornmeal. Then, they cooked it in a pot with water. Small pieces of young pig or calf meat were often added. This dish was served cold and could stay fresh for up to a month.
Modern Preparation Steps
Today, the hominy corn can be soaked in water overnight. This helps to clean it. Or, you can cover it with hot water to remove the outer husks. After draining the water, any small bits of debris are removed.
The hominy is then covered with fresh water again. A little salt is added for flavor. The pashofa cooks slowly over a low heat for many hours. Sometimes, bacon or other pork is added to the dish.
Tools for Cooking and Serving
People used special tools to make and serve pashofa. These tools included paddles and spoons. They were often carved from wood or animal horns. Some of these old tools are now kept at the Smithsonian Institution museum. Pashofa was usually cooked in very large bowls. This often happened outdoors over an open fire.
The Pashofa Dance
The Pashofa Dance is a special healing ceremony. It is practiced by the Chickasaw and Choctaw people. If someone was sick, they might be left alone in a room. A medicine man would be with them.
Ceremony Details
A striped black and white pole is placed in the sick person's yard. No one else is allowed to walk past this pole. The medicine man says special words over the sick person. These words are meant to drive out the "Spirit of Disease." Other people dance outside during this time.
Around midday, warm pashofa is served to all the dancers. They also drink water. After this meal, a second round of dancing begins. Sometimes, Pashofa dances have also been held indoors.
