The regional location of where the video bloggers were traveling to influence whether or not they would discuss the cultural or historical significance of the areas. Video bloggers in Mexico, Central and South America discussed the cultural significance of eating insects, whereas the significance of eating insects in Asian countries was barely mentioned or not mentioned at all.
“Eating BUGS in Mexico City (comida prehispánica)” by Kinetic Kennons. Youtube.
The video blogger above is shown eating insects in a restaurant in Mexico City. Although, the video blogger discusses their fears about eating insects, they also mention their excitement to eat food from pre-hispanic times. This differs from conversations in Asian street markets where historical and cultural significance is not mentioned.
In the travel video blogs to Mexico, 6 out of the 7 video blogs mention the historical and cultural significance of eating insects in Mexico. Video bloggers explain that eating insects predates the Spanish colonization of Mexico, while the Mayan and Aztec peoples would consume insects for their abundance and nutritional value. While in Mexico, North American vlogger, Fearless and Far, notes the cultural significance,“what I remember from before is that they have a very large pre-hispanic menu so basically what the Aztecs of this area before the Spanish came and introduced their food, so what I mean by that is there is a lot of insects on the menu” (EATING INSECTS with The New Travel | Traditional Mexican food 2018. Fearless and Far. Youtube).
In contrast, individuals eating insects in Asia only consider their own personal experience, and few ask the locals the significance of eating insects. The video bloggers suggest that people in Asia eat insects because they have to, rather than considering other more historical reasons for why they may eat insects. The travelers do not dig into the history of eating insects, unless familiar with the culture; rather, it is an activity they can later brag about to their friends. Kate McCulley, a traveler from North America, reveals her lack of familiarity and personal reservations with regards to consuming insects, particularly in relation to certain groups of people: “and we’re gonna eat some bugs ’cause that’s what we do in Thailand, you eat bugs.” (Eating Insects in Thailand. Kate McCulley. Youtube.) McCulley acknowledges that consuming insects is a customary practice in Thailand for both locals and visitors, but she fails to acknowledge the cultural significance of this food beyond sharing her own personal experience.
“Eating Insects for the First Time | Super Foods: The Real Story” by Together TV. Youtube.
The video blogger shown above respectfully ate insects with a family in Thailand while using a translator to communicate with them. Unlike many other travel vloggers who only ate insects in street markets, she showed cultural sensitivity through her more intimate experience. Through her conversations, she recognized the cultural significance of insects as a delicacy in Thailand and their nutritional value for locals.
A few of the video bloggers also mentioned the environmental significance of eating insects. For example, one travel video blogger states, “…The World Food Organization recognizes that as a species we’re struggling in the world of protein and there’s not going to be an awful lot left if we carry on eating cows, chickens and pigs the rate we’re doing. And we need to do something to solve that problem…” (Eating Bugs in the Woodlands. Woodlands TV. Youtube.) The travel vlogger is explaining how the current, dominant foodways are not sustainable and will have to be adapted to be more sustainable.
Based on the analysis provided, it seems that there is a perception among some video bloggers that people in Asian countries consume insects out of necessity rather than choice, due to their lower socio-economic status. This perception is based on a lack of understanding and exploration of the cultural and historical significance of insect consumption in these regions. The tone of the video bloggers also suggests a certain level of cultural superiority, assuming that Westerners have access to larger and more desirable livestock, and thus do not need to resort to consuming insects. This highlights the need for culturally-sensitive discussions around the topic of insect consumption in different parts of the world.