Final answer:
The theme mentioned is cultural assimilation and the loss of identity, as seen in native cultures being overshadowed or absorbed by dominant white culture. It is represented in art, food traditions, and the narrative of cultural homogenization vs. the preservation of indigenous practices and cuisines.
Step-by-step explanation:
The theme of the recipe you’re referring to suggests a narrative of cultural assimilation and loss of identity, which is commonly represented in literature and art regarding indigenous peoples and their interactions with colonial or dominant cultures. This is exemplified in works like Wi-jún-jon, Pigeon's Egg Head (The Light) Going To and Returning From Washington, showing the transformation of an individual after trying to adopt another culture's dress and manners.
The recipe allegory, where only white ingredients are included and the eventual dish turns white, could symbolize how native cultures and traditions can be subsumed and ultimately disappear within the dominant white culture through assimilation and cultural homogenization. The concept also touches upon the reclamation and preservation of native culture, as seen in the work of Native food activists like Karlos Baca and Sean Sherman, who are part of a larger effort to bring back traditional Native cuisines and practices.
Moreover, Margaret Martin’s mural, Indian Hunters and Rice Gatherers, presents an idealized view of Native American life that, although beautiful, may not accurately reflect the realities of the people it depicts, again hinting at the theme of cultural representation and its disconnect from reality.
Similarly, the practice of offering white-colored foods to Pachamama in Andean tradition, reflecting enculturation and the significance of the color white in their culture, can be seen metaphorically in the all-white recipe—highlighting the importance of understanding and respecting original cultural practices and meanings. The broad theme here reflects a tension between cultural preservation and the often one-sided cultural narrative propagated by dominant societies.