Gender of Makers
- Although making momo is a labor-intensive activity, it constitutes a very fun activity for all the family members and friends because they get to spend time together while wrapping the ingredients.
- It is also very meaningful in Tibetan culture because their ancestors survived the harsh climate by eating momos. Thus, momos are made as offerings to their ancestor. So, kids are taught to make momo from a very young age in Tibetan families (Dorje, 1985, Wangmo, 1999).
- As a patriarchal society, in Nepal and in Tibet men usually do the chopping of the meat, which requires more strength, and the women shape the momos while gossiping to lighten up the tedious work.
- Traditionally, in Nepal and Tibet, daughters- in-law, daughters, and mothers, who do the cooking, first serve meals to the elder male members in the family and then eat afterwards. This tradition still exists in the rural areas of Nepal and Tibet (Tamang, 2010).