Roti as a Vessel of Women's Labor, Migration, and Cultural Memory

Summary

This article explores roti (unleavened flatbread) as more than just food — it is a vessel carrying histories of women's labor, migration, memory, and community across generations in South Asian and diaspora contexts. Co-authored by Dr. Mariam Durrani and Nilosree Biswas, the piece traces roti's origins in the Indus River Valley, its preparation techniques passed down through women, and its role in maintaining cultural connections across borders. The article examines how the labor of making roti — often invisible and gendered — connects to broader themes of displacement, identity, and cultural preservation.