‘ Tradition can be described as the culturally sustained, repeated pattern of behaviors, beliefs or enactments that are passed down from one generation to another’ —Critically comment

Critique of the Definition of Tradition: “Tradition can be described as the culturally sustained, repeated pattern of behaviors, beliefs, or enactments that are passed down from one generation to another.”

Get IGNOU MFC-002 Solved Assignment Pdf of all answers for 2024-25 session by clicking on above button.

The given definition of tradition highlights key aspects of its nature: repetition, cultural sustainment, and intergenerational transmission. While this definition captures the essence of tradition, it is important to critically examine the components involved and their implications for understanding tradition in its broader context. Below, we will explore various dimensions of this definition to assess its completeness and accuracy.

1. Cultural Sustainment

  • Positive Aspects: The notion of cultural sustainment emphasizes how traditions serve to maintain cultural continuity and identity over time. Through rituals, customs, beliefs, and practices, tradition enables societies to preserve core values and transmit them across generations. This process reinforces group cohesion, shared identity, and the social fabric.
    • For example, Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, is a tradition sustained in Indian society through generations. It is celebrated annually, and its cultural practices (lighting lamps, feasting, family gatherings) persist across time, creating a sense of unity and belonging.
  • Critique: The concept of cultural sustainment might overlook the evolving nature of tradition. While traditions are sustained over time, they also undergo modifications. Tradition is not static; it is subject to adaptation in response to changing social, economic, and political conditions. For instance, the way Diwali is celebrated today in urban areas (such as through electronic firecrackers or online greetings) differs from how it was celebrated centuries ago.

2. Repeated Pattern of Behaviors, Beliefs, or Enactments

  • Positive Aspects: The focus on repetition indicates that traditions are often ritualistic and habitual. Repetition provides a sense of stability, predictability, and structure to people’s lives. It is through repeated behaviors or practices that cultural values are reinforced and passed on.
    • For example, weddings in various cultures involve repeated ceremonies, such as the exchange of vows, traditional dances, and feasts, which help instill the cultural significance of marriage as a social institution.
  • Critique: This aspect of the definition can be limiting as it suggests that only repetitive behaviors constitute tradition. It may exclude forms of tradition that are not easily repetitive or formalized. Some traditions are sporadic, informal, or even non-ritualistic. For example, certain oral storytelling traditions may not follow a formal pattern but are still considered important within communities. Additionally, the emphasis on repetition might not account for how some traditions may evolve in meaning over time, rather than simply being repeated as they are.

3. Passed Down from One Generation to Another

  • Positive Aspects: This aspect of the definition underscores the intergenerational transmission of traditions, which is essential for the continuity of culture. By passing down beliefs, practices, and values, traditions connect individuals to their ancestral roots and contribute to a collective sense of identity.
    • For instance, classical dance forms such as Bharatanatyam in India are passed down from teacher to student, preserving artistic knowledge and cultural heritage.
  • Critique: The assumption that traditions are always passed down intact and in a linear manner may oversimplify the process of transmission. Transmission is not always smooth, and not all traditions are passed down in the same form across generations. Innovation, reinterpretation, and even loss of tradition are common as new generations may reinterpret or abandon certain practices. For example, younger generations may modernize certain cultural practices (such as altering traditional clothing styles or using new technology in ritual practices), or they might altogether reject certain customs that seem outdated or irrelevant to them.

4. Tradition as a Homogeneous and Unchanging Entity

  • Critique: The definition implies that tradition is a homogeneous and unchanging phenomenon. This view fails to account for the diversity within traditions themselves. Traditions may vary significantly based on regional, ethnic, gender, or class differences. For example, traditional wedding practices in one region of India (such as Gujarat) may differ drastically from those in another region (such as Tamil Nadu), even though they are both rooted in the same overarching cultural tradition of marriage.
  • Additionally, the definition does not address how traditions can evolve over time. Over successive generations, traditions may be subject to change based on societal shifts, modernization, or globalization. For instance, certain folk music traditions may blend with new forms of music, leading to the creation of fusion genres that preserve the essence of tradition while incorporating contemporary elements.

5. Potential Exclusion of Non-Formal Traditions

  • Critique: The definition focuses heavily on formalized and institutionalized practices. However, many traditions, particularly in informal settings, emerge spontaneously and may not follow a rigid, institutionalized form. For instance, informal community gatherings, local festivals, or practices like storytelling in informal settings might not be recorded in written form or strictly passed down through formal channels but still represent an important part of a community’s cultural tradition.

6. Context of Change and Modernity

  • Critique: The definition does not adequately address the context of change and the impact of modernity, globalization, and other factors on traditions. While traditions are often associated with the past, they are not immune to contemporary influences. The pressures of modernization, globalization, and technological advancement often lead to the adaptation of traditions to the current context. For example, traditional practices such as rituals and religious observances are now being integrated with modern technologies, such as virtual religious services, or online prayer groups, where people across the globe can participate in what was once a localized or isolated tradition.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the definition of tradition as a “culturally sustained, repeated pattern of behaviors, beliefs, or enactments that are passed down from one generation to another” provides a general framework for understanding tradition, it oversimplifies and overlooks several key aspects of how tradition functions in real life. The complexity of tradition arises from its ability to evolve, adapt, and reinterpret in response to changing societal, cultural, and individual factors. Tradition is not just about repetition; it is about the meaning and significance attributed to those repetitions, the way in which it responds to the challenges of the present, and how it is reshaped and reimagined by each generation. Therefore, a more nuanced understanding of tradition must include both its capacity for continuity and its ability to undergo change over time.

Disclaimer: A student runs this Kosh of EGyan Blog. Hence, it is not directly/indirectly related to any university/college/institution. For more info, check out disclaimer page.

Scroll to Top