Polination of culture or simply reproducing traditions?
Whether it is in the remotest village, or in the most populous city, the one major factor that binds us Indians together, is the umbrella term ‘tradition.’ Why I call it an umbrella term is because it brings together various different aspects of other concepts like culture, and values; these aspects, interwoven over thousands of years, have now created a rather messy web, a web we cannot seem to get ourselves out of.
Yes, the analogy of a messy web is quite negative; it creates a sense of entrapment, of helplessness. Traditions however, do not entrap. They are only guidelines, not even rules; created to make us humans lead a more balanced life, as opposed to one that is full of chaos. Yet, the interpretation that we construct is paradoxical to the essence of the term itself. It is our interpretation of our ‘traditions’ that makes us feel entrapped and helpless.
We Indians, as a people, hold great pride in our culture and the all-encompassing concept of tradition. We boast of our history, and most of all, take pride in the fact, that despite of our culture having been invaded by outsiders, we have managed to keep our traditions intact, and our ‘values’ in check. A concept that is supposed to shape us in to better human beings, instead, acts as a tool that is now used for the purposes of self-policing.
What is even more surprising then, is how stringent the interpretations of these traditions become, once they are carried across the seven seas, in to a different culture, in to a different nation. Then again, it is probably that fear of letting go of the motherland that makes us clutch onto these ‘traditions’. Some move with the desire of letting go and adopting a new culture, but others leave with the hopes of living a better lifestyle. Regardless, there is a constant need to not let go and thus we bring our culture along with us.
Then comes the responsibility of imparting the values we have brought along, to those who come after us, the second generation. But the second generation then also adopts the new set of values and traditions they’re given in this fresh environment; an environment different from the one their elders grew up in. subsequently then, a gap is bound to be formed and increase. This gap is created, not only as a consequence of a clash of ideas, but also because of a fear; a fear of losing and of letting go, and also of a constant need that is felt to retain and hold on to whatever one can.
Indian parents in New Zealand can then be placed in this framework, where they struggle to maintain a balance between the then and now. Their interpretations of the traditions that have been passed on to them, puts them in opposition to the adopted culture that their children are a part of. As a child, it isn’t just a matter of choosing between one and the other, but, of being able to accept both. For the parent, the fear of loss makes might make their approach seem restrictive to a child.
For the most part of it, a move to a new country isn’t approached with the attitude of ‘when in Rome, do as the Romans’. It’s more along the lines of, when in Rome, let us first observe the Romans, and then adopt only a select few aspects of their values and traditions; and for the most part of it, let us stick to our own traditions. The consequences of such an approach can in some instances be deemed negative.
Take for example a concept like moving out; for New Zealanders, there comes a certain age when children move out of their parents’ homes to make a life of their own. Amongst Indians, the very same concept is slightly difficult to accept; reason being, we Indians belong to a set up where the concept of a family is given great importance. A child’s decision to break away from this set up then raises questions and maybe objections too. More often than not, the adopted culture is blamed for taking the child away from their set of parent values.
A child will most likely view the approach or the interpretation of the traditions as heavily negative, as it questions concepts like freedom and individuality; yet in the eyes of the parent, they are fulfilling their duties. Neither side is wrong in thinking the way they do, but both of these approaches come with their set of flaws; flaws such as being restrictive, non – communicative, and in certain cases inapproachable. It is then up to both parties to resolve the erroneous way of thinking and reach a reasonable conclusion, together.
In a city like Auckland, that is quite a melting pot of cultures, a second generation Indian is bound to adopt the new culture that he / she has been born in to. It is then up to the parents to maintain a check and a balance, so they can raise balanced, traditional individuals, and not resentful, scornful children.
Whether it is in the remotest village, or in the most populous city, the one major factor that binds us Indians together, is the umbrella term ‘tradition.’ Why I call it an umbrella term is because it brings together various different aspects of other concepts like culture, and values; these...
Whether it is in the remotest village, or in the most populous city, the one major factor that binds us Indians together, is the umbrella term ‘tradition.’ Why I call it an umbrella term is because it brings together various different aspects of other concepts like culture, and values; these aspects, interwoven over thousands of years, have now created a rather messy web, a web we cannot seem to get ourselves out of.
Yes, the analogy of a messy web is quite negative; it creates a sense of entrapment, of helplessness. Traditions however, do not entrap. They are only guidelines, not even rules; created to make us humans lead a more balanced life, as opposed to one that is full of chaos. Yet, the interpretation that we construct is paradoxical to the essence of the term itself. It is our interpretation of our ‘traditions’ that makes us feel entrapped and helpless.
We Indians, as a people, hold great pride in our culture and the all-encompassing concept of tradition. We boast of our history, and most of all, take pride in the fact, that despite of our culture having been invaded by outsiders, we have managed to keep our traditions intact, and our ‘values’ in check. A concept that is supposed to shape us in to better human beings, instead, acts as a tool that is now used for the purposes of self-policing.
What is even more surprising then, is how stringent the interpretations of these traditions become, once they are carried across the seven seas, in to a different culture, in to a different nation. Then again, it is probably that fear of letting go of the motherland that makes us clutch onto these ‘traditions’. Some move with the desire of letting go and adopting a new culture, but others leave with the hopes of living a better lifestyle. Regardless, there is a constant need to not let go and thus we bring our culture along with us.
Then comes the responsibility of imparting the values we have brought along, to those who come after us, the second generation. But the second generation then also adopts the new set of values and traditions they’re given in this fresh environment; an environment different from the one their elders grew up in. subsequently then, a gap is bound to be formed and increase. This gap is created, not only as a consequence of a clash of ideas, but also because of a fear; a fear of losing and of letting go, and also of a constant need that is felt to retain and hold on to whatever one can.
Indian parents in New Zealand can then be placed in this framework, where they struggle to maintain a balance between the then and now. Their interpretations of the traditions that have been passed on to them, puts them in opposition to the adopted culture that their children are a part of. As a child, it isn’t just a matter of choosing between one and the other, but, of being able to accept both. For the parent, the fear of loss makes might make their approach seem restrictive to a child.
For the most part of it, a move to a new country isn’t approached with the attitude of ‘when in Rome, do as the Romans’. It’s more along the lines of, when in Rome, let us first observe the Romans, and then adopt only a select few aspects of their values and traditions; and for the most part of it, let us stick to our own traditions. The consequences of such an approach can in some instances be deemed negative.
Take for example a concept like moving out; for New Zealanders, there comes a certain age when children move out of their parents’ homes to make a life of their own. Amongst Indians, the very same concept is slightly difficult to accept; reason being, we Indians belong to a set up where the concept of a family is given great importance. A child’s decision to break away from this set up then raises questions and maybe objections too. More often than not, the adopted culture is blamed for taking the child away from their set of parent values.
A child will most likely view the approach or the interpretation of the traditions as heavily negative, as it questions concepts like freedom and individuality; yet in the eyes of the parent, they are fulfilling their duties. Neither side is wrong in thinking the way they do, but both of these approaches come with their set of flaws; flaws such as being restrictive, non – communicative, and in certain cases inapproachable. It is then up to both parties to resolve the erroneous way of thinking and reach a reasonable conclusion, together.
In a city like Auckland, that is quite a melting pot of cultures, a second generation Indian is bound to adopt the new culture that he / she has been born in to. It is then up to the parents to maintain a check and a balance, so they can raise balanced, traditional individuals, and not resentful, scornful children.
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