Final answer:
Italics in the passage emphasize the significance of the words ‘kajapes’ and ‘avanyu’, highlighting the indigenous influences and building cultural context.
Step-by-step explanation:
The italics used for the words kajapes and avanyu in the passage are meant to emphasize the cultural and historical significance of these terms in the context they are mentioned. Rather than merely naming two kinds of Native American foods, the use of italics likely serves to highlight the indigenous influences and the authenticity they bring to the subject being discussed. Italics can denote terms that are from a different language or culture, and in this case, these words not only help in building cultural context but also in emphasizing the importance of respecting the preferred names and terms used by Indigenous cultures.