The following piece was written by Wanda Octave.
Wanda Octave is a St. Lucian writer and author of My Life Interpreted – How I discovered the Keys to Fulfillment Within My Everyday Experiences. Her simple down to earth, relatable, writing style, engages readers and encourages dialog. Octave has a passion for writing spiritual nonfiction, but is currently working on two novels in multiple genres. In her profession life, she wears many hats. Marketing Professional, Property Management Specialist, and Teacher.
So, call me cynical, but sometimes I think we try too hard to ‘hold on’ to our culture. If culture is the way of life of a people, or ‘the behaviors, beliefs values and symbols, passed along by communication and imitation from one generation to the next’, then doesn’t the way of life of a people change from generation to generation? Don’t the rituals that we pass on from generation to generation change from generation to generation?
The cultural traditions of 1480 had surely changed by 1580. With European influence in the Caribbean, the way of life of our people for the next hundred years was not the same as it was before 1492. Likewise after the slave trade, there was a new ‘way of life of the people’. The culture of 1800 was vastly different from that of 1580.
It stands to reason then, that events in our history define our culture. The ‘discovery’ of Columbus, the period of slavery, post emancipation, the colonization of the French and British, all contribute to our way of life now. The structure of government, the foods that we eat, the music we enjoy, the clothes that we wear, the events that we celebrate…
And while we cannot change history, we can effectively ‘change’ culture by deciding what we carry forward into history. The culture of today is usually the traditions of two or three generations before us. (Our great grand, grandparents and parents). We, the younger generation acknowledge it, (‘Our Culture’) but how many of us will really hold on to it? Do we want to? Is it that significant to us?
Our parents believe that culture is dying. Their version of culture, that is. We the younger generation are still observers. We will make a decision on what cultural practices should be upheld when we get old enough to feel that ‘culture is dying’. At that point, we will incorporate the relevant events in our (life’s) history with those traditions that appeal to us and those we are most educated about, and pass them on to the next generation. We will create a compound culture going forward. This generation is ultimately going to decide what lives on in our culture, and what doesn’t, for the next three generations ahead. Scary, but true.
Why do you think Carnival survived and other perhaps more meaningful traditions didn’t? Because, two generations ago, a group of people decided to put it on the cultural calendar and make it a national event. Perhaps it was also adapted and embraced by more people of that time, than some of the other practices. Culture, comforts a generation. It gives them a sense of belonging and a reason to celebrate their history. And while there is nothing wrong in trying to hold on to it, we should let go of the obsession to save our culture, because it will eventually change.
So right now, what are the masses really adopting? Do we have deep rooted cultural values? How long will cocoa tea be served for example? How many young children are sitting on their front porch with a mortar and pestle pounding cocoa beans? When will we begin exporting cocoa sticks? Cocoa is a new super food, with the healing properties widely publicized. The government has invested heavily in the cocoa industry, but once upon a time, a government invested heavily in sugar cane, then bananas… Times change. And so does culture.
But for those who still want to ‘fight’ to hold on to the culture of their lifetime, there are glimmers of hope.
Having cultural traditions recognized by our Government, does help sustain their longevity. Being on the nation’s calendar of events forces the schools to educate the nation about the cultural significance of these events, hence creating interest among the younger generation. Last month we saw the CDF’s attempt to revitalize the Lawòz, festivities with its ‘Lawòz séance’. But, will the Government be willing to invest more resources into this event? Exposure may breathe new life into the flower festival or lack of interest may see it fade away.
I remember the very first Jouné Kwéyòl in Mon Repos. Who knew that over 30 years later, it would be a national event celebrated in schools and almost every business-house on the island? It has grown mostly because of Government investment, but my grandmother could not have predicted that today, I would be frowned upon for not wearing madras at the end of October. The commercialism of the fashion aspect of Jouné Kwéyòl, is all due to this generation, adding a new dimension to the festivities. We have started a tradition which will no doubt be carried forward into the next generation.
So even greater than the resources of Government is the collective consciousness. There are some traditions, like cocoa tea, and certain elements of our culture, like dressing in national colors or traditional fabric to celebrate cultural activities, that are developed by the people and become so deeply rooted, that they may remain ‘the way of life of our people’ for several generations.