Importance of Traditions
Miscellanea / / August 08, 2023
Traditions are living and existing knowledge. A set of related ideas that have remained through the years. They are considered to be dynamic because they change over time, although in some cases, the focus is on keeping them exactly as they are.
The reason traditions are important is that they pass on shared values, stories, and goals from one generation to the next. They motivate societies to create and share a collective identity, which in turn serves to shape individual identities.
worldview expressions
Cultural traditions are clear manifestations of how a particular group perceives the world and mark significant moments or transitions in life. In many cultures, for example, it is common to celebrate the transition between childhood and adulthood. That celebration could take the form of a quinceaƱera, a Latin American custom celebrating the transformation of a girl into a woman, or It may well be a Walkabout: Australian ritual that refers to the moment in which a young indigenous man undertakes a long journey through the nature from that country.
Traditions have several key elements. First of all, this is some kind of ceremonial ritual. Second, they involve a group of people; it is collective and social in nature. Third, they are cared for by gatekeepers, such as historians, who have access to the knowledge or truth behind sacred rituals and take it upon themselves to disseminate it. Fourth, they appeal to emotion within individuals to achieve a greater sense of self-awareness.
In some cultures, these rituals are important for self-identity in the context of a larger society. A tradition can have a deep and lasting impact on how a person sees themselves in the future.
Strengthen the sense of community
Our traditions also work to strengthen the sense of belonging to a certain community. In the United States, for example, Thanksgiving is a national holiday in which families come together to share a typical meal: stuffed turkey and cranberry sauce. Similarly, the Christmas holidays are often a time when families spend time together. These practices, along with other factors, help reinforce and maintain what it means to be an American.
The culture in which we grow up defines our vision of ourselves and the world around us and maintains a connection to our ancestors and traditions. The feeling of belonging to a group of people with whom we identify is a human need that is expressed through learning and cultivating an ethnic, religious and cultural heritage. This identification is very important in shaping our identity.
The value of family traditions
In families, traditions are a source of identity. On a macro level, they can teach children the origin of the family, while on a micro level, they serve as reminder of small events that have shaped your family and children, for example, spending the summer in the same house as lake every year.
In addition to this, numerous studies have shown that families that develop traditions have a stronger emotional connection than those that have not established rituals together.
Celebrating traditions helps us stay connected to our culture and is also a excellent opportunity for cultural exchange, understanding and appreciation of cultures from all over the world.
Images: iStock. valentinrussanov
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