The Blurring of Cultural Identities: Examples of Overlapping Traditions
In today’s globalized world, cultural identities are increasingly overlapping. When a culture moves into a new environment, it tends to adapt to the new surroundings, leading to changes in customs, traditions, and values. The blurring of cultural identities can also occur when people migrate to new countries or regions, resulting in the fusion of various cultures and traditions. In this blog post, we’ll explore the concept of the blurring of cultural identities and provide examples of overlaps in traditions from around the world.
What is the Blurring of Cultural Identities?
The blurring of cultural identities refers to the process of cultural convergence, where different cultures overlap and fuse to create a new culture. In this process, various aspects of the cultures are integrated, including social customs, traditions, beliefs, and even clothing and food. The blurring of cultural identities is often a result of globalization, where people from different regions, cultures, and backgrounds can easily interact with one another.
Examples of Overlapping Traditions
1. Dia de los Muertos in Mexico
In Mexico, All Saints Day and Day of the Dead are two significant holidays celebrated in the first week of November. These holidays both have religious roots but have merged and become an expression of national identity. The Day of the Dead emphasizes the reunification of living and dead relatives with love and respect. It’s common for people to visit graveyards with their loved ones’ favourite foods, flowers, and offerings, ultimately commemorating their memories.
2. Bhangra in Canada
The Bhangra is a dance form that originated in the traditional Punjabi culture. Bhangra is a lively and energetic dance, usually performed at weddings, festivals, and other celebratory events. Bhangra has experienced a revival in recent years, primarily in Canada. The dance has fused with other modern dance forms, including hip-hop and reggae, and it is now a popular dance form in western countries. The dance is a fusion of traditional Punjabi and modern Western cultures.
3. American Anime
Anime, a form of Japanese animation, has become incredibly popular worldwide, and Japan is known for its animation culture. American animators have taken inspiration from Japanese animation, creating their own anime-style shows. One popular anime-style animation that has been created in America is Avatar: The Last Airbender. This show is a blend of eastern and western cultures, illustrating a classic hero’s journey with a distinct Eastern culture’s influence.
Conclusion
The blurring of cultural identities is a complex and often controversial phenomenon in today’s globalized world. The fusing of cultures can lead to a loss of cultural identity in traditional cultures. However, it’s also important to recognize that cultural blending can create new and exciting forms of expression. There are countless examples of how traditional cultures have blended with modern culture, such as the ones mentioned above. This fusion of cultures creates unique, innovative, and creative forms of expression while honouring traditions and can help cultivate a new and worldly generation.
