January 1st: A Day of Liberation & Infused Black-Eyed Peas
How a protein served at the start of the New Year represents African history.
My cynical side would say that the Gregorian calendar New Year and its celebrations are corny and forced—filled with empty promises of something better to come. My evolved side would say that the emergence of a new year is an incredibly priceless gift.
Yet January 1st is a fresh start, also steeped in a history of survival, resistance, and liberation that stretches back centuries. The black-eyed pea, of all things, has become one of the most powerful symbols of that history, packed with meaning that speaks to the hard-won freedom of our ancestors.
If you’re one of those people who celebrates New Year’s Day by eating Hoppin' John (black-eyed peas, rice, and pork), you’re already participating in a tradition that stretches far beyond superstition or mere good luck. For centuries, Black communities in the U.S., Africa, the Caribbean, and some Latin American countries have used food—especially black-eyed peas—as a way to connect to the past, honor the struggle, and pray for prosperity in the year to come.
January 1st also marks the last day of Kwanzaa, which celebrates African culture and heritage. The final Nguzo Saba, or principle, Imani, meaning “faith” in Swahili, is a day when families reflect on the importance of faith in their communities, their ancestors, and their shared future—reaffirming the role of food and togetherness in the tradition of Kwanzaa and the belief in Black resilience and liberation.
Haiti’s Revolution and Soup
For Haitians, January 1st marks the birth of Haiti as a free nation. On January 1, 1804, after years of brutal resistance against French colonialism and slavery, the enslaved people of Saint-Domingue (now Haiti) defeated Napoleon’s forces and declared their independence. The Haitian Revolution remains one of the most powerful uprisings in history, giving birth to the first independent Black republic in the world and showing enslaved people in the Americas that freedom could be fought for—and won.
Every year, Haitians celebrate this day with soup joumou, a decadent and smooth squash soup that symbolizes the victory over slavery. During the colonial era, enslaved Africans were forbidden from eating soup, which was considered a delicacy by the French colonizers. When the revolution succeeded, Dessalines’ wife, Marie-Claire Heureuse Félicité Bonheur Dessalines, encouraged Haitians to eat soup joumou on January 1st to symbolize their newfound freedom—a very powerful culinary act of resistance that, in its action alone, transformed the soup from exclusion to sovereignty and self-determination.
The practice continues today, with people preparing the soup in honor of those who fought for freedom, while also looking ahead and praying for blessings in the new year. For Haitians, this is a day to reflect on how far they've come—and to remember that the struggle is far from over.
The U.S. Context of January 1st
For Black Americans, New Year’s Day carries its own complicated weight. While Haitians were celebrating their hard-won freedom in 1804, those from the diaspora in the U.S. were still living and eating under the cruel boot of slavery. Known as Hiring Day to enslavers, January 1st was a day when enslavers would auction off or rent out enslaved people to work for the year. This meant that families were often torn apart, with loved ones being sold to the highest bidder and scattered across the country.
On New Year’s Eve 1862, before the Emancipation Proclamation was signed, enslaved people gathered in secret for what would become known as Watch Night. In praise houses and deep in forests, they prayed for the freedom that was promised and watched the clock ticking closer to midnight, likely wrestling with the anxiety of what “freedom” would actually mean. It was a night of uncertainty—hope and fear wrapped into one.
When January 1st came, President Abraham Lincoln’s signature in the Emancipation Proclamation declared and promised that all enslaved people in the Confederate states (South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas, Virginia, Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Carolina) would be free. As we know, the legal declaration was a mess and, in some ways, regarded as a lie, as it didn’t immediately free anyone. It marked a critical moment in the disruption and struggle for Black liberation. The reality of freedom was complicated and still is. Many were still forced to work the same lands they had worked while enslaved for basically nothing. And for others, the promise of freedom didn’t come until years later.
Even today, for some Black Americans, Watch Night is still observed on December 31st, where people gather to reflect on the past year’s struggles, to pray for what’s to come, and to honor the deep spiritual roots of the journey that is freedom.
Black-Eyed Peas: A Symbol of Survival and Prosperity
Now, let’s talk about the black-eyed pea. You might have heard that eating black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day brings good luck, but this humble legume carries so much more meaning than that. For generations, it’s been a symbol of survival, resistance, and hope for a better future.
The tradition of eating Hoppin' John on New Year’s Day dates back to the days of slavery when enslaved Black people often relied on the black-eyed pea as a food staple because it was hardy and easy to grow. But these peas didn’t just keep folks full—they became symbolic of wealth, resilience, and transformation. In African traditions, black-eyed peas were often associated with Ogou, a spirit known for his strength, warrior qualities, and his ability to open doors of opportunity. So, when you sit down to eat your Hoppin' John, you’re not just participating in a culinary tradition—you’re connecting to a long legacy of Black resistance and the hope for freedom and prosperity.
Scott Alves Barton also notes that the peas symbolize coins, and eating them on January 1st is thought to bring financial good fortune for the coming year. The idea is that the more black-eyed peas you eat, the more money you'll attract. This makes perfect sense when you consider how much of our food traditions are rooted in both survival and hope for something better.
The Recipe —
Eating black-eyed peas is a ritual, and maybe I’m going too hard by saying this, but it’s also an experience when you cook them. This recipe is intentionally simple so that you can add and layer to it, making it your own and your own personal tradition.
What you need:
1 pound dried black-eyed peas (sorry, canned doesn’t count)
2 onions, roughly chopped
5-10 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
1-2 smoked ham hocks or 6 thick slices of bacon *optional
4 cups vegetable broth
4 cups chicken broth (or water)
2 tbsp smoked paprika
2 tbsp thyme
3 tbsp olive oil
3-5mg infused olive oil to drizzle over serving *optional
2 bay leaf
coarse salt and pepper to taste
What to do:
Rinse dried black-eyed peas and soak them overnight in the refrigerator or on the counter, covered with a tea towel.
In a large pot or slow cooker, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, and sauté until softened (apx 5 minutes).
Add the smoked ham hock or bacon if you want some extra flavor, and stir in the black-eyed peas, vegetable broth (or water), paprika, thyme, salt, pepper, and bay leaves.
Bring the mixture to a strong boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 2-3 hours on the stove (or in the slow cooker on low for 6-8 hours) until the peas are tender, flavorful, and slightly browned. Stir occasionally, adding more broth or water if necessary to get it to your desired consistency.
Serve immediately with cornbread, collard greens, or, if you’re obsessed with rice like me, over rice.
Happy New Year and new moon—looking forward to spending 2025 with you here on TASTE BUD!
xx,
Mennlay
I was so ready to read this, when I saw the post. As always, thank you for taking us on a journey.