The seven-course meal on the Bohra Thaal

An insight into Community Eating: The Bohra community, from where the Bohra thaal originates is a sect within the Ismā'īlī branch of Shia Islam. The largest populations of Dawoodi Bohras reside in India, Pakistan, Yemen, East Africa and the Middle East. Food forms an integral part of this community, communal meals being shared in moments of joy and hardships, with eight to nine people, usually a family eating from the same thaal (large platter) perched upon a kundali (stand) to keep it from touching the floor, as food touching the ground is considered disrespectful. Several courses are served in a Bohra meal, and each course must be completed before the next is served, as wasting food is frowned upon. A Bohra thaal is a complete meal, with something for everyone to enjoy.