Why is it traditional to eat black-eyed peas on New Year's Day?

Question

Is this a African American tradition? If so what is it all about? I would like to know it's orgin, and the reasoning for this. I'm in search of real answers people. This is one of those things that my mom does every year and all she can tell me is that it's a tradition from long ago within the African American culture.

Answer 1

On New Year's Day in the American South, black-eyed peas are traditionally eaten. In some areas of the South, they are part of a traditional dish called "Hoppin' John", made of peas cooked with rice, pork (such as hog jowls, fatback, neckbone, or hock), and seasonings. Residents of other parts of the South may eat them simply with fatback, or with a hot chili sauce. It is supposed to bring good luck and also financial enrichment. The peas stand for the coins, while collard or mustard greens that are served with hoppin' john symbolize paper money. Corn bread also usually accompanies this meal.

Answer 2

From the source article. Author found it extremely difficult to trace back with any certainty but concluded that the cow pea (black eye pea is a variety of that) originated most likely in Ethiopia, brought over on the slave ships or traders from India. Either way it was first introduced to Georgia. It was feed for stock = the cattle and the like wise treated slaves. Civil War Union soldiers burned the fields, leaving only the stock crops. Southerners survived eating those peas, therefore considered them lucky and the tradition of eating peas as a new beginning/New Year took hold and has been embellished and become part of American culture.

Answer 3

Hi Realone!

My Family also. Black eyed peas are cooked on New Years Eve and we eat them on New Years Day. It brings good luck through out the year.

I thought it was an African American Southern tradition until I saw a lot of white people from around the country posting here about eating black eyed peas on New Years Day for good luck as well...GO FIGURE!

I made them for the first time on Monday. I burned the hek out of them. I ate them, in a sense, because I was tasting them along the way. I hope that still counts!

Answer 4

On New Year's Day in the American South, black-eyed peas are traditionally eaten. In some areas of the South, they are part of a traditional dish called "Hoppin' John", made of peas cooked with rice, pork (such as hog jowls, fatback, neckbone, or hock), and seasonings. Residents of other parts of the South may eat them simply with fatback, or with a hot chili sauce. It is supposed to bring good luck and also financial enrichment. The peas stand for the coins, while collard or mustard greens that are served with hoppin' john symbolize paper money. Corn bread also usually accompanies this meal.

These traditions date back to the U.S Civil War, especially in areas ravaged by General Sherman. Sherman's troops, among those of other commanders, would typically strip the countryside of all food and livestock and destroy what they couldn't carry away. At that time, northerners considered "field peas" as they called them, and corn only fit for animal fodder, and as a result didn't steal or destroy them. This mistake allowed many southerners to survive on these humble foods

Answer 5

Black eyed peas are suppossed to bring prosperity in the new year. And yes it is a tradition to eat them on New Years Day.

Answer 6

No, I'm jewish and white and my grandmother and parents make me eat them. It is like the eye can "see" a good year for you coming up. Its one of those supperstitions that are like "If you eat them on New Years Day, you will have a good year." I hate the nasty things but my family makes me eat them so that I have a good year. Personally, I did not have them the last couple of years and I am fine so it is just an old wives tale. Thank g-d for college and being away from home on New Years!

Answer 7

I dont know if its african american or not i know my mom and my grandma have made us do it for years and im white, but raised in the south, so maybe its a southern thing, but they dont even taste that good and last night we had the left over beans from new years that we didnt finish

Answer 8

This is my first year being introduced to the custom of eating black eyed peas for new years. I was told itwas for good luck... but they were good... This was made with the ahm hocks and Puerto Rican seasonings ( Sofrito and Adobo) We served them with white rice... it was very good... I feel sorry for those who sai d they did not tase good.... cause ours were VERY good!!

Answer 9

I believe it is a bastardized tradition taken from th Jewish tradition to eat them on Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.

Answer 10

i thought it was a southern tradition,it`s supposed to bring luck