Hands of Tradition
There are two sets of hands at work.
One pair of hands, just before dawn in a small village somewhere in India, moves quietly around a modest, dimly lit kitchen. The air is thick with the scent of freshly prepared dough, and a charred, long-loved tawa heats over an open flame. These calloused hands rhythmically craft one roti (flatbread) after another with care, echoing the movements of generations before them. The dough, a simple mix of flour, water, oil, and salt, responds to the gentlest pressure, taking shape under their fingers. These hands belong to someone who rises long before the sun to make a hundred rotis each day. This is more than a mere morning routine; it is a livelihood and means to survive. Each roti, sold for a few rupees, sustains their family’s future, one step at a time.
Meanwhile, in a bustling city oceans away, another pair of hands takes up this task as their day winds down. The kitchen space they move through is comparatively more modern, perhaps a bit bigger, and their life might seem a little easier. Yet their hands press into the dough with the same ancestral rhythm. For this person, making roti is not a source of income, but a comfort; a return to something that is essential and pure, especially in times of stress. When life feels overwhelming, the simple act of kneading it, shaping it, and watching it rise on the tawa brings a sense of calm and control. Even in moments of chaos, there is comfort that can be found in the familiar warmth of this tradition.
Whether rising at the break of dawn to make ends meet or seeking comfort in times of distress towards the end of the day, both of these lives hold making roti as a significant part of their routine. In both settings, the process of kneading, rolling, and cooking the roti on the tawa becomes an intimate act that connects to a long tradition, sustaining the body, mind, and soul.
Hands of Love
Despite the difference and distance between them, both lives connect through the significance of roti. For many, roti is simply an essential staple and basic form of sustenance. However, within the Dawoodi Bohra community, roti carries a deeper meaning. It is not merely a food; it is a form of affection. The mohabbat ni roti, or roti of love, is kneaded and made by hand for those held dear, with care and patience. The process of making roti—starting from mixing and kneading the dough, to shaping it into perfect rounds, and finally cooking it on the tawa—is a manifestation of love. This simple act becomes a profound cornerstone for healthier bodies, minds, and souls, transcending barriers to connect people across different socio-economic backgrounds. Whether in a small rural town or a bustling city, the tradition brings together men and women, young and old alike, in a shared act of love that sustains human beings.
In a world that increasingly prioritises automation, speed, and convenience, this tradition calls the Dawoodi Bohra community back to the basics. The passive push of a button can bring food fast, but in the haste, something vital is lost. Roti, more than just a staple of sustenance, represents love, care, and the foundational values that guide daily life.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the value of this tradition for the Dawoodi Bohra community became especially apparent. As many people, especially in India, make roti for themselves, Faiz al-Mawaid al-Burhaniyah (FMB) ensured they had the supplies and ingredients to continue doing so during a time of scarcity. Without the skill to make roti, however, these provisions would have been of little help. For the Dawoodi Bohra community, the ability to make roti became an important asset, not only because it provided physical nourishment but also because it reinforced emotional resilience. It offered stability and solidarity in uncertain times. As the world faced unprecedented challenges, Dawoodi Bohra members of all ages and abilities found both comfort and empowerment in this simple yet essential skill, enabling them to sustain themselves and their families in body, mind, and soul.
Hands That Bind
For the Dawoodi Bohra community, the tradition of making roti is a reminder to connect. On a surface level, it is a form of physical activity that reinforces the often overlooked effort required to create something by hand. The process requires not only skill, but patience and care.
In a deeper reflection, this process reinforces relationships between loved ones. The perfect roti for a parent is one which provides for their children. This notion is exemplified by Sayyida Fatima al-Zahra, who, despite her severe illness, made roti for her children in the final moments of her life. Her act serves as a lasting example of love and dedication. Each handmade roti in the Dawoodi Bohra community honours this legacy, symbolising the love, care, and commitment passed down from the Ahl al-Bayt (the progeny of the Prophet).
Hands That Empower
Roti holds a significance that extends beyond the present day, representing a rich, cultural history for the Dawoodi Bohra community. During the battle of Khyber, Ali ibn Abi Talib, suffering from conjunctivitis, could not go out for battle due to his ailment. However, he still strove to contribute by preparing rotis for soldiers. In doing so, he illustrated that serving others is an integral part of faith, even in the midst of malady and war. This act reveals the broader importance of making roti in the Dawoodi Bohra tradition where it embodies service, sustenance, and solidarity.
In the modern day, the Dawoodi Bohra community continues to cherish the tradition of roti-making. In marriage ceremonies, making roti is integrated into the festivities. The tradition highlights reciprocity in marital relationships as both spouses participate in making roti, symbolising unity and shared responsibility.
Indeed, making roti is not just a simple task of cooking; it is a form of empowerment within the Dawoodi Bohra community, especially for women. Through Faiz al-Mawaid al-Burhaniyah (FMB), an initiative built on volunteerism and service, women across villages and cities come together to take turns preparing roti for others. This practice transcends volunteerism; it is a collective affirmation of tradition, love, dedication, and continuity that encompasses generations.
Whether working in the FMB kitchens or making roti at home, these women contribute to an effort that ensures no member of the community goes hungry. Their role is not only about feeding families but also fostering belonging. The skill of making roti, whether to sustain one’s self or to serve the broader community, is a means of empowerment and solidarity where shared tradition and collective action bonds a community together.
Hand in Hand
Whether they are moving out of necessity or yearning for connection, these roti-making hands, separated by distance and circumstance, are united in purpose. They carry forward a legacy of love, resilience, and unity in each roti that they make.
The process of making a roti comes full circle to connect the past and present and paves the path for the future. It is a daily act of faith that fosters mutual respect and affection, binding the community together. In each roti shared, a tradition endures, sustaining not just the body and mind, but the soul of a community that continues to move forward, hand in hand.
