Christmas Preparations in 1878
The winter scenario for this room was co-curated with Amy Peace Buzzard from the Museum’s Community Authors group.
As Bunoo prepares the family's Christmas pudding, the diverse ingredients remind her of her Indian homeland.
What's happening
It’s a few weeks before Christmas and Bunoo has gathered the ingredients for the family’s Christmas pudding. Looking at everything spread out on the table, she is reminded of her home in India where she will soon return. The festive cake has come to represent Britain’s colonial pursuits during the time, with ingredients sourced from across the empire.
Bunoo is an ayah, employed by the Stevenson family to look after their children Mary, Thomas and Beatrice. Spices like cinnamon and the pudding spice blend have travelled with her on the journey from India, at the Stevensons’ request. Although longing for home, she is curious to experience the extravagance of Christmas in London.
Winter Past
Discover the homes and traditions of winters past, present and future.
On view until Sunday 12 January.