arXiv:2410.09670v1 Announce Type: cross
Abstract: This paper introduces “Making Beshbarmak”, an interactive cooking game that celebrates the nomadic ancestry and cultural heritage of Central Asian communities worldwide. Designed to promote cultural appreciation and identity formation, the game invites players to learn and recreate the traditional dish Beshbarmak through an engaging step-by-step process, incorporating storytelling elements that explain the cultural significance of the meal. Our project contributes to digital cultural heritage and games research by offering an accessible, open-source prototype on p5.js, enabling users to connect with and explore Central Asian traditions. “Making Beshbarmak” serves as both an educational tool and a platform for cultural preservation, fostering a sense of belonging among Central Asian immigrant populations.
Making Beshbarmak: Promoting Cultural Appreciation through an Interactive Cooking Game
In the ever-evolving world of multimedia information systems, incorporating elements of animations, artificial reality, augmented reality, and virtual realities has become vital in creating engaging and immersive experiences for users. The project “Making Beshbarmak” exemplifies the multi-disciplinary nature of these concepts by combining storytelling, interactive gameplay, and cultural heritage preservation.
Connecting with Central Asian Traditions
The interactive cooking game, “Making Beshbarmak,” focuses on the traditional dish Beshbarmak, which holds cultural significance in Central Asian communities worldwide. By incorporating storytelling elements, the game takes users on a journey to learn about the nomadic ancestry and cultural heritage while recreating the dish step-by-step.
This approach not only provides an entertaining gameplay experience but also serves as an educational tool for users to explore Central Asian traditions. By actively involving users in the cooking process, the game fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation of the cultural significance and culinary practices associated with Beshbarmak.
Preserving Cultural Heritage through Technology
The use of p5.js, an open-source JavaScript library, allows “Making Beshbarmak” to be easily accessible to a wide range of users. This open-source prototype demonstrates the project’s commitment to digital cultural heritage and games research. By making the game freely available, it encourages widespread adoption, participation, and contribution.
Moreover, digital mediums like interactive games can serve as powerful platforms for cultural preservation. By offering a playful and interactive way to connect with Central Asian traditions, “Making Beshbarmak” contributes to the sense of belonging among Central Asian immigrant populations. It serves as a bridge between generations and helps pass on cultural knowledge in an engaging and accessible manner.
The Wider Field of Multimedia Information Systems
The development of “Making Beshbarmak” highlights the innovative and interdisciplinary nature of multimedia information systems. It showcases how different technologies and mediums can be merged to create meaningful and educational experiences that go beyond traditional boundaries.
Within the domain of animations, the incorporation of storytelling elements brings life and context to the cooking game. By integrating augmented and virtual realities, users can immerse themselves in a simulated environment that mirrors the cultural essence of Central Asia. Artificial reality technologies further enhance the interactive aspects of the game, providing a seamless and intuitive user experience.
Overall, “Making Beshbarmak” embodies the potential of multimedia information systems in fostering cultural appreciation, identity formation, and heritage preservation. By leveraging various technologies and mediums, it opens doors for future exploration in creating immersive and educational experiences that celebrate diverse traditions and promote cross-cultural understanding.