Eating in a Thaal

Shraddha, my veteran half Bohri, I thought so much about you when writing this!! :)

Growing up in a Bohra Household has made me love and appreciate the "Thaal" way of eating. It is absolutely unique and has been around for ages. No Bohra wedding is complete without the "Thaal" system of eating. So I thought I would give you a bit of a lowdown on what eating in a Thaal is like.

I was just at a wedding last evening and thought I'd share this delightful way of eating with the menu with all of you.

WARNING: if you are vegetarian, please stop reading NOW, Bohra weddings are all about the meat!

There is the Saffra (Suf - rah) which is like a tablecloth but it goes on the floor where everyone will be eating

On the Saffra, you put something called either: Kunli, Chumli or Tarakhti (Tur-akh- tee) to support the Thaal so that it is at a good and comfortable height for peopel to eat

There are spoons and glasses given in advance that are distributed to the people sitting in the Thaal. 

There are around 7 - 8 people who will sit in the Thaal together with you. These could be either your family and friends (if you have that many people who all want to sit together) or you could even be sharing this meal with other strangers

There are some weddings where women and men dine separately. There is a section with the Men's Thaals, and a section with the Women's thaals

You cannot sit cross legged in a thaal, it is considered bad manners. You have to sit with your legs folded

All the courses come in one bowl and everyone shares from that common bowl or plate. 

First Course:  Salt - there will be a small bowl with salt in it which everyone tastes before starting

Second Course: Some rice which has been sweetened with sugar in a really tiny plate. This is considered to be auspicious

Third Course: Ice Cream (this is the most common beginning, if not ice cream, then something sweet)

Fourth Course: Chicken. normally a Chicken Starter, Chicken Baked Dish or something that's like a starter. Seekh Kebabs, Miscellaneous Kebabs and Fried Chicken are the favourites

Fifth Course: Another Sweet dish. Now in the fancy weddings you get brownies, cheesecakes and other such delectable sweets. Mithais or Indian sweets are also common to have here

Sixth Course: Mutton. Either a whole leg of Lamb, or some lamb gravy with parathas are served

Seventh Course: Rice and Soup. Biriyani is the most common, but there is a variety of fancy rice pulavs that are served

Eighth and Ninth Course: If that isn't enough, normally the meal ends with dry fruits and fresh fruits. Sometimes they even have a fruit Sorbet

Tenth Course: Paan

Whew! It really is a feast