Invented Tradition Issues - Essay Example

Invented Tradition How useful is the idea of "invented traditions" in considering the historical development of Western notions of Asia or the Orient Invented traditions is taken to mean a set of practices, normally governed by overtly or tacitly accepted rules and of a ritual or symbolic nature, which seek to inculcate certain values norms of behaviour by repetition, which automatically implies continuity with the past. (Hobsbawm, E. and Ranger T., 1983). The idea of invented traditions is useful in considering the historical development of Western notions of Asia or the Orient. In the thirteenth century the Asia or the Orient helps define Europe or the Western by means of its image, idea, personality and experience. The Asian countries colonized by the Western have able to adopt their cultures, belief and religion. Invented traditions were assumed to be as the repetition of the past. In the mid 19th century the war between British and China has caused the leader of the British to concede. This was about the legalization of the opium by the Western to sell it to the drug addicts in China. Like in the present situation marijuana and other addicting substance are being sold anywhere. Racism is one of the invented traditions that are important in the development of the Asia or the Orient. It is one of the problematic notions in the Western. From the 19th century until now Westerns or the Europeans and Americans tends to look one person based on its race or history. The racism in Asian or the orient is not evident since they can adopt in different cultural norms and values. China for example has become successful today because of hard work and cooperation without tracing the race or beginnings. It is an invented tradition which may not help the development of a nation. The traditions can be grafted from the old ones. The western notion about race can still be adopted in a different ways. The traditional song or folksong can be the basis of identification of a certain nationality. In the past Asian such as the Philippines has several folksongs helping it in identifying the country. By this invented tradition several composers and writers have been able to compose several songs which was taken from the past and continued in the present. This song from the Western colony has been reorganized or arranged to adopt in the culture of the Asians. The historical development of the song from the Western notion has been changed thru repetitive arrangement of the song and several corrections on it. Now Asians or the Orient has its identity from the invented traditions of songs. Religions in the past are also a significant factor in the history of the Asians under the Europeans. Catholics before are devoted, the invented tradition of religion in western notion of Asians has been changed by changing several writings about the Bible. The result of several religious groups today maybe traced from the past. The war in the religion maybe the cause of different beliefs arises from the culture they are living. Before Westerns are believed to be Catholic, but now different groups with different names is arising adopting their beliefs from the Catholic. Invented tradition is useful since from the past we will be able to solve several problems from the present. The invented tradition may serve as an evidence of the present problem that can be solved by studying the past and the origin of the tradition. The problem in the racism as stated above can be solved by tracing back the tradition of the past. The history of the songs written and the national anthem of every nation can be understood by analyzing the past. Thru invented tradition the understanding about human relation will be clearly analyzed. Discrimination in certain western area can be prevented by tracing the past of such belief to the present situation of the Asian people in a western soil. The western notion about the niger or the black race can be changed by presenting the history of the Asian or the Orient. 2. What role has power and hierarchy played in shaping understandings of Asia Power and hierarchy place a major role in shaping of Asia. The leader of a country will play a big role in the shaping of Asia. The Philippines are being colonized by the USA. They have adopted several cultures and beliefs in USA. Since the USA is overpowering the Phillipnes and other Asian country, they don't have a choice but to adopt to the culture. The hierarchy of a certain country would result in destruction as well as termination. The power of the USA is very strong, the Filipinos is now being influenced by their culture, religion and sociality. Power is the superiority to others and hierarchy is the group of people who has the position to give orders as to what to do. Edward Said said, that the prosperity of Greater Asia will depend on the power of nationalities. In Asia Japan has the power to rule over the cities under this continent. Some patronize them because of the powerful hierarchy but others stick to their origins and follow and developed their culture. For example, Edward Said make mention of China who promised to become loyal to Japan and will become Japanese with their power will be constrained. The power of Japan over China will overthrow those who do not believe in the strength of Japan. Since power and hierarchy plays an important role in shaping Asia, this must not be over use. Asian countries should unite in building the nation, not just being powered by one country. The strength of the country will depend on its tradition and evaluation of the problem. The 9/11 may not happen if the USA would only listen to the muslim community. USA has discriminating the muslim community causing them conflicts and angers specially in the Arab countries. Power should not be a tool of destroying someone else community but a tool in building and shaping a developed community. References: 1. Eric Hobsbawn and Terence Ranger, The Invention of Tradition, Cambridge University Press, 1983, p. 1. 2. Edward Said, Orientalism, page 27. Read More