Culinary Guardians and Seekers of Remedies: A Comparative Analysis of Edible Gardening Practices in Ulam Culture

Abstract

This article examines two distinct yet interconnected typologies emerging from the study of ulam—traditional edible plants central to Malaysian culinary and medicinal practices. This research is based on a phenomenological study conducted in Penang, Malaysia. Adopting an abductive research strategy through purposive sampling, twenty four participants are selected. Their responses were than analysed into first order and second order constructs leading to the essences of their experiences which are captured into typologies. This article examines two typologies out of the four typologies in this study. The first typology, the Culinary Guardians, is characterized by individuals who preserve and transmit family culinary traditions and foodways (Chow, 2011). In contrast, the Seekers of Remedies focus on the medicinal and healing properties of plants, drawing on diverse knowledge systems to explore natural alternatives to modern medicine (Tan, 2018). By comparing their cultural narratives, motivations, and practices, this article sheds light on how traditional knowledge adapts in the face of urbanisation and modernity.