Dietary separation of meat and milk a cultural‐geogmaphical inquiry

The dietary separation of meat and milk, often considered unique to Judaism, is found in four widely separated regions: Southwest Asia, central Sahara, East Africa, and Southwest Africa. Hypotheses on the origins, development, and geographical distribution of the trait are examined using historical data. These data suggest that the trait is not specifically Jewish, but instead has evolved independently in at least two regions of Africa.

Key words:

• Food habits
• Biblical food codes
• historical food patterns
• dietary prohibitions
• African diet
• ethnic diet