Roots to Routes: tastes and traditions on the move in the Atlantic route

In an era of increasing international migration, understanding cultural dimensions is crucial for fostering mutual understanding and social cohesion. Roots to Routes (RTR) is a participatory action research on the West African Atlantic Route that investigates cultural representations and practices of migrants from West Africa to the Canary Islands, with a focus on food as a conveyor of identity and a ground for cultural encounter. Research on irregular migration to the Canary Islands has emphasized economic and political aspects, understating cultural elements. RTR addresses this gap by exploring cultural practices, especially food-related ones. Its objectives are: 1) gathering information through field research; 2) promoting participatory actions to involve local communities; 3) creating visual documentation; and 4) offering policy recommendations for the European reception system.RTR employs a multi-sited ethnographic approach, engaging migrants, local communities, and NGOs in Senegal, Southern Morocco, and the Canary Islands. This strategy allows for a nuanced examination of migrants' experiences and cultural transformations before and after their journey to Europe. Participatory actions include workshops and events centered on food and cultural exchange, while the visual component involves collecting and creating images and videos for dissemination. By examining the maintenance and transformation of cultural identity and food habits during migration, RTR offers insights into social integration dynamics and contributes to culturally informed policies, aligning with key EU migration and cultural diversity objectives.The project is timely given the ongoing humanitarian crisis associated with the Atlantic Route. RTR's innovative approach positions it to make significant contributions to both academic discourse and policy development in migration studies, ultimately fostering mutual cultural knowledge and promoting positive intercultural interactions.