1) Culture is amazing,being sensitive to it opens the mind to being a global citizen.
2) Perhaps the emphasis on familial ties is greater than we think in both individualistic and collectivitic cultures.
3) "Culture is learned behaviour" as mentioned in the video today. So its interesting to observe what has been passed down to us.
Welcome to Ryna's travelogue:
The spread at my Aunt's house during Hari Raya 09
Food is key in the Malay culture, it is an expression of love by the cook. It's the binding factor in relationships as much is said over a meal. Says my aunt "It's always a joy to cook for the family". I agree. Judging by all the pineapple tarts she fed me that day. She's happy, I'm happy.
Dancing with tribesmen in the Amazon,Peru 2007.
So in the Peruvian lifestyle, things are very laid back. What's the point of rushing things when we can stop to smell the flowers.Music and dance is also important in both formal and informal settings. I never really knew Samba till i Samba-ed in Peru.
With Srey Pich and Srey Na in Lechwat Village Phnom Penh, Cambodia 2009.
In Cambodia,there is great emphasis placed on the family and the village. Everyone knows everyone and bringing up a child is not one single person's job. These orphans are cared for by the community. Respect is also key, indicated by bringing the hands together and bowing to welcome visitors.
Pottery Village, Hanoi, Vietnam 2009.
Vietnam: the land of smiles. Culture is tourism. Their heritage and customs are richly documented and shared with visitors.
Fez, Morroco, 2006
Unfortunately, I didn't take this picture. But it was a common sight when I visited in 2006. The emphasis on interpersonal relationship is great and religion plays a big role in their daily interactions also. For example, our guide insisted on stopping my camel in the middle of the desert to pray as the sun rose.
The family is important in India.
Christian dancers, ETAC Festival of Praise 2009
Even in my religion, Christianity,there is so much multi-culturalism. Both Western and Indian has amalgamated for an interesting mix, seen here in our worship styles.
Finally, to bring across the point that multi-culturalism and communication is pervasive in our lives, here's a pic of my ceylonese(sri-lankan)- chetti melaka (peranakan indian) family, that speaks only English and some Bahasa Melayu with a spattering of Sri Lankan, drinking tea to celebrate chinese new year with my extended chinese uncle's family. I hope I didn't get you befuddled.
With that, in true Singapore style, YAM-SENG!
hey ryna!i agree with your points, especially about the importance of familial ties. Personally i think, everyone cares about their family, just in different ways. Something like a butterfly and a cocoon, whereby the parent(butterfly) would put the child (caterpillar) through circumstances with good intentions for it to grow up well. The butterfly's way of nuturing the caterpillar may not be kind( in human's eyes as the caterpillar has to struggle a lot ), but that IS the way the butterfly loves the caterpillar. So in that sense, i feel that even in individualistic culture, familial ties are important e.g weddings are really grand and big with lots of family and invited guests, people make it a big deal to come back for festivals, people do visit their families often...
ReplyDeleteP.S your photos are really lovely, especially the one in Morocco :)
Hi Ryna, wow you're so lucky to have been to so many places! Indeed, I agree with you that multi-culturalism is so pervasive in our lives - this is especially so for Singapore, a melting pot of cultures itself! Even in your own family - it's interesting to see the influences from all the different cultures. :)
ReplyDeleteI also agree that we shouldn't assume that collectivism = emphasis on family, and individualism = no emphasis on family. Perhaps it's the difference in expression of this care/concern for the family which differentiates the two cultures.
Thanks for sharing with us your experiences with different cultural groups. I can sense your respect for and appreciation of what these different cultures have to offer.
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