Sanctification of Ancestral Customs
Just because one is born in a country with an extremely bloody and disgraceful history under its belt, does not immediately make a child born in that country a representative of its past. Now if that child grows up to emulate that particular past and world view associated with it, then they have adopted the ideals and in turn become (in a manner of speaking) that modern representative.
What of the people that are by traditional nature, nomadic? Would it still hold true? YUP! I have known many people not only in my vitsi (tribe/clan/family), but in general through the years of meeting and greeting. These specific people were born in this country; and adopted the gross, disdainful view points of hatred, and discriminatory practices. All while claiming a heritage of kindness and compassionate lifestyles.
Having a culture is (primarily from my experience) a handful of traditions that stem from the unity of a group of individuals promoting a lifestyle unique from all others. I am proud to know that the ancestors that came before me, were not part of any long standing hatred of oppressive behaviors and endeavors. Granted there were quite a few bad apples that everyone in my vitsi avoided or exiled. This kind of thing is just a reality in all types of tribe customs (popular and scarce). The few that make a huge stink and upset the natural peace of a small community, which turns others (outside that community) to believe all “our kind” cannot be trusted. It is sad and very frustrating. Not to mention the fact that there are slang names invented to identify certain races/genders/beliefs in a very bad light. Of course you are aware of this. How in modern times could you not? It hurts. For those individuals with shallow and/or brittle self esteem issues, they get overly offended, and at times, aggressive, and/or violent with these trivial low rung matters. Yes, it’s a hurtful curse. Not a literal rope around your neck. Even more sorrowful, are those individuals that have chosen to shun our customs because of all the negativity that resides in the present day era. Most of which having no connection to our beliefs. Choosing to be without a heritage to celebrate. So they can identify with more accessible traditions that are far more abundant. I often ask myself why. Is it fear? Regret? Is it because there aren’t hardly any of us left to celebrate with? Maybe.
I was gonna talk about a dedication to ancestral culture right?
Well, living a small and secluded life, by way of a dying system of beliefs, as a “mutt” family member; makes one ponder and judge identity. The culture that came before me is far deeper steeped in mainstream understanding. I just happened to be born in a more fringe version of it. Of course there are cultures out there that are abundant and thriving. A lot of them prospering, some primarily from historical publicity and preservation acts from other groups/societies/nations. I am not nessasarily talking about religious beliefs mind you. Though they play their part. Modern national “media” tends to white wash everything. Leaving the helped cultures untouched while ignoring the rest. Anyhoo, the individuals that choose to keep their ancestral heritage alive, (in my opinion) are choosing the ultimate cherished act. A beautiful focused embrace in our varied human history. Unfazed by the daily grind of “pop culture” noise. To not only know the many people that bore us, and the ones that came before, as their fruit. But also understanding what they themselves believed in and shared. An echo of a family so distant, that when meditating on the same traditions you yourself are performing, it seems they are right there with you. Guiding your life path with grace and wisdom. Thousands of individuals that have long since past on, breathing life into your choices each and every day. To all that reside in countries far from your ancestral home, and to those on the very land your history began, I bow in humble praise. Your unique ways of life are beautiful.
"Mek cho dies akana te strefial e vediara pe le glate kai si te bariaren che pachamos."
“Sas tuke drago kodola kai avile mai anglal tutar. Te aven drazhi, ai e mila, ai e goji, ai e rhavda.”
Of course, there are some old traditions long lost and/or abandoned in “family lines”. Customs dropped for more attractive ones (like I have already stated). New religious beliefs that completely covered and transformed a way of living life. Some that were let go hundreds of years ago, thousands even. Some not 5 years ago. I’ve seen it in my own family. Saw the rich traditions being preformed by my great grandparents, great uncles, great aunts, and numerous cousins. Traditions that were performed exactly the same a little less than two thousand one hundred years ago. Now, my culture is almost extinct. Replaced with traditions not our own. Based on a smattering of diluted trends focusing on mundane market values. All for reasons that have no connection to our past. Celebrating common place holidays that non of our clan before us, ever recognized as meaningful. In three generations, my vitsi has all but vanished before my eyes. Save for only four individuals that still practice our ways. I included. After my life ends (if after the others that are much older), my heritage will finally be forgotten.
Until then, each moment of my life is embraced with every other that has come before me. We are the fading ripples from a history of wakes and waves.
…
Side note:
A toaster will always be a toaster. Until there is nothing else left to toast. Then it is just junk…
Or you could make an incubator out of it… an art sculpture… a silly looking paintbrush holder with kung fu spring action… or a really funky clock…
Is there really a point to me making this horrible analogy? Am I the toaster or the toast? I would rather be a grilled cheese sandwich. Ever make a grilled cheese sandwich in a toaster? You have to turn it on its side for it to work…
WTF is wrong with me?! I’m gonna stop typing now.
