Traditions of Native Peoples Today, Essay Example

A tradition is a custom or a ritual that is accepted within a specific society or group and is therefore passed down to the next generation within the society in question. Usually, tradition caries within it a symbolic implication or an exceptional importance within a society; for instance holidays, cloth designs that though impractical have a social meaning, socially accepted norms like the way greeting are passed among other examples (Robert, 2008).

There are two arguments the YES and the NO. In the Yes camp attention is given to the tradition invention as observed in pacific island countries. The argument observes the acceptance of traditions and customary practices as historical for them even though these particular practices have their root from the western people invasion into the islands. Roger M. Keesing argued that the effect of the colonial powers in these countries was a significant transformation and in some cases disappearance of indigenous traditions (Robert, 2008). The people in these countries can therefore be said to be cut off from the acquaintance of how their society functioned before outsides came. This transformation has led to the idealization of how the societies were structured in the past (Robert, 2008). However, these idealizations are by large mystical and fictional without historical backing and are only celebrated because they give the communities some sought of distinction from the dominant western practices (Robert, 2008).

Keesing argues that these idealized and fictional indigenous traditions are used as modern politically gains motivated myth making tools by the economic and political elites in these societies. In other words they are a way of building support and mass appeal for the so called indigenous leaders (Robert, 2008). Keesing observed that there is a high level of culture fetishization not just in the pacific countries but also in South America, Asia and in Eastern Europe especially; pointing out that there is widespread celebration of un-authentic traditions perhaps, he suggested; to encourage nation building and integration where diverse cultures live together. Another reason for invention of tradition as explained is simply so that tourists can buy into the ‘new’ indigenous cultures in what Keesing calls commoditization of culture which fits into western fantasies and therefore leads to many tourists visiting the countries (Robert, 2008).

In the NO argument the idea that modern pacific island countries have invented traditions is rejected by Haunani Kay. She argues that the allegation that these countries’ traditions are invented is but an illustration of racism, colonialism and the presumption by the whites that they are superior compared to the islanders in the pacific (Robert, 2008). That Keesing only used western historical sources and ignored rituals, oral customs, local legendaries and genealogies is pointed out a significant show of weakness in his argument (Robert, 2008). Western sources are expressed as biased and inaccurate in describing native traditions and native social structures. The assumption by western scholars that natives from these countries are not aware even of their own culture is expressed as another show of how western cultures and superior minded. Kay talks of the existence of a resistance within the pacific societies which clearly shows that they know their culture, they have the facts and are not inventing as suggested in the former argument by Keesing (Robert, 2008).

Conclusion

The reality on the ground is that there are huge disparities between modern and historical ways of life. In the old days movement was restricted and therefore the purity of communities was very high. Nowadays however with globalization, emergence of sub cultures and the idea of multiculturalism it is getting more and more difficult to maintain cultural purity and distinction.

Reference

Robert, L. & Kirk, M., (2008). “Taking Sides Clashing Views in Anthropology; 5th edition” pg. 351-372.