On Culture

What is culture? Can it be defined?

Is 'multiculturism' an acceptable way for the people of a community to live? Is it even a possible way of life?

Should we hold on to our culture and stick to it, or is our culture defined by us?


Narayan Narayan!

Culture is a set of behavior and belief characteristics that a society, ethnicity, or group of people share. I think the basic foundation of culture is set by tradition - culture uses precedence to define its behaviors and beliefs. Of course, old traditions does not mean that things will never change. Society evolves and new traditions form, the new traditions combined with the old ones keeps culture alive.

Personally, I absolutely LOVE culture and tradition. Especially our culture - its beautiful. I definitely think we should hold onto culture and embrace the values it brings, but we can also add to our culture.

Multiculturalism is acceptable and possible. I'll give my own example - I'm a desi girl living in the US. I was raised in the US, but I grew up desi. I've taken a little from both cultures and blended it together. And I think that defines life for a lot of us on the forum. I don't see anything wrong with that, in fact, I wouldn't give this life up for any other.

Nice topic, Xo! :)

Is it right for buzurgs to tell the younger generation to stick to Indian culture, whereas what they actually mean might be called the culture of India in the past?

Originally posted by: xobile

Is it right for buzurgs to tell the younger generation to stick to Indian culture, whereas what they actually mean might be called the culture of India in the past?

I not only think its right, I think it is their duty to do so. If they don't, who will? If we weren't reminded of our culture by our elders, we'd lose it along the way. As humans, we automatically adapt to the culture we are in, but to keep alive traditions that we haven't seen is much more difficult.

Do I think it is right for our elders to force culture down our throats? No, I don't. They should also understand that times have changed and so have people's lifestyles. However, if an elder is insisting that something be done a certain way because of tradition - I don't think there's any harm in that.

In fact, I think some of the traditions that bother us so much now (whatever they may be) will be the very ones that we will be insisting that the next generation falls when we become the elders they're looking up to. Its the cycle of life.

I love my/our culture and traditions!
I love our clothes, festivals, weddings, and everything!

Value's wise, i think we've got good values, hopefully they are maintained throughout the next generations.

Originally posted by: xobile

Is it right for buzurgs to tell the younger generation to stick to Indian culture, whereas what they actually mean might be called the culture of India in the past?

Culture cannot be easily defined, but Ajnu has done a good job of beautifully explaining culture as well as multiculturalism.

Every generation is going to pass on their culture and values to the next generation. I don't think you can really see it in terms of wrong and right. People take pride in their culture. It is a part of their identity. This is something they love and cherish. Culture and tradition hold a lot of social, emotional and sentimental value to people. It is but natural they want to share it with their children, their friends, their family. A younger generation should appreciate and accept that because something valuable is being passed on to them.

At the same time people ought to realize that culture is evolving. Culture today is not the same as culture a decade ago, or more. Each person has their own culture based on their life experiences, their influences. Sometimes people within a common culture too will see things differently. The problem I see happening is when elder generations force their culture on younger generations, rather than sharing it. Similarly younger generations also should not be outright rejecting culture or disrespecting it. Culture is a growing and shared concept and all people, all generations have to realize that culture will change and take new forms, we all have to be willing to give a little, take a little, learn a little, share a little.

Another key factor to remember that different does not mean deficient. No culture is greater or lesser than another. Its the variety that makes this world. One thing that irks me most is when some desi traditionalists will hold their culture superior and actually put down another culture. See it is hurtful when outsiders make fun or disrespect our culture, so at the same time we should take utmost care to ensure that we never look down or disrespect culture of others.

Surprisingly sometimes we have more in common than differences. I love the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding, because every time I see the movie I tell myself I can so see this happening in some big crazy desi family, I can so see this happening somewhere in my family to. The in your face relatives, the neurotic obsession over heritage and rituals. The Hispanics also eat roti sabzi everyday, only thing they call it tortilla.

Originally posted by: Summer3

Many things I hate includes (these are personal)

Bull Fighting

Animal Sacrifices

Some even eat dogs

Self torture during religious festivals

Hunting

Fishing

Keeping birds and animals caged up

Unsavoury table manners

Yes, culture like Bullfighting etc which hurts and tortures other life is something that needs to be changed.

Now everyone has their opinion but for me certain things may seem different but I don't think I'm entitled to judge. As a dog owner I find it appalling to know that people eat dogs. I find it shocking that ancient Indians ate horse too. But just how people eat goat, sheep, cow, chicken, etc - it is just another food. Here and further north they eat deer, Inuit even have been known to consume seal (although they do not where prohibited). It is just food. As long as the animal is well tended to and slaughtered humanely, thats what matters. Some of the hormone laden meat we eat on a day to day basis is more cruel and unusual compared to eating dogs.

As for hunting and fishing. I'm an animal lover. I love pets and all sorts of animals. I grew up believing that such things are wrong. I looked down on hunters etc. I thought they only killed animals. However, working as a peasant has given me a whole new perspective on hunting culture. Hunting is the oldest and primal of human activities. It is a misconception that hunters are cruel and do not care for animals.

Hunters (and fishers) are actually nature lovers who share a genuine passion for nature. They hunt not for sport or trend, but in line of their ancestors hunting traditions. They are very conscious of what they hunt and how. When they hunt, they make use of the whole animal. Hunters are most environmentally conscious and have been the most vocal and active group in restoring habitat, conservation, reducing pollution and protecting all wildlife. The hunting culture views humans as part of nature and the cycle of life, no separate from it. Hunting culture teaches people genuine appreciation and compassion for nature's provision and treating nature with respect. In fact hunters can be more caring about nature and animals than pretentious vegans etc who do it out of petty fashion etc. Yes there are a lot of people who hunt for sport, treat it lightly and have no respect for nature - but don't let them fool you. My exposure to the hunting culture has opened my eyes to who they are and what they represent.

Originally posted by: xobile

What is culture? Can it be defined?

Is 'multiculturism' an acceptable way for the people of a community to live? Is it even a possible way of life?

Should we hold on to our culture and stick to it, or is our culture defined by us?


Narayan Narayan!

Originally posted by: xobile

What is culture? Can it be defined?

Is 'multiculturism' an acceptable way for the people of a community to live? Is it even a possible way of life?

Should we hold on to our culture and stick to it, or is our culture defined by us?


Narayan Narayan!

😆 😆

I like what WA said..it's like taking the best of both worlds 😊

This topic reminded me of a song by british asian artist menis:

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_q2LdfC7pw[/YOUTUBE]

"Here's kid tryna act black and Caucasian
The brown kids to other mates won't admit it
That they listen to bollywood and love to watch cricket😆
Nah they just copy exactly what their friends do
Start spittin bars and start reppin the ends too
Everyday there culture, they lose it
And they start taking the piss out there own music
They think there hard coz their rolling with a click
But the click don't rate em so they don't get shit...

Lets talk about the ladies,
enough about the mandem
Really and truly nah I cant stand them
Some of them talk and act worse then the bres
Your pairs are not down your pairs are upstairs
Your friends are black so you act like your girls do and gel your sideburns just like them girls too You love everything about them don't ya? 😆
Wont ya teach your friends a bit about your culture man? Educate them for once damn"

I apologise for the slang 😳