Talking about culture almost destroys it, there is no way to adequately express what it is that makes up the rituals, celebrations, idiosyncracies of a people or place. And the focus on something, or the attempt to try and manufacture a series of symbols or meaning brings about hollow gestures.
But you know…I will give it a go. I went along to the Bao-an temple to witness the Baosheng cultural festival last weekend. The parade which took place all day and into the night was accompanied by fireworks, loud music, drumming, prayer, handing out of buns for good luck and large scale figures being puppeted along the street. It was quite mesmeric and oddly moving. Those being celebrated were a mixture of old Chinese gods, mixed with local Taiwanese deities and folk heroes and of course all Taiwanese remember and give thanks to their own ancestors.
But watching this celebration and the interest by people of all ages in what was happening I began to think about Australian culture and the place of ritual, of celebration that means more than pretty lights and fireworks – where is our culture? Is there anything more to our country than beaches, beers and barbeques?
Now I know that a country can’t just manufacture several thousands of years of culture and to compare the cultural aspects of Taiwan to Australia is unfair. These things need to unravel naturally over time…
But is has got me thinking; Is the Big Day Out our ritual summertime experience? I can’t see 80 year olds coming to this event though. perhaps it is the barbeque? But what is truly culturally significant in that, we can’t claim cooking meat over a hotplate as Australian. Sport? perhaps, is sport our cultural ritual? The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras?
Who the bloody hell are we?
Australia has thousands of years of indigenous culture. Perhaps that is where Australia should look to for ritual and celebration.
I went to an artists wedding today. Even though I feel alot of negativity towards marriage in the world at the moment- the ritual of coming together with amazing people to share a big love-in of music and food and speeches was so rich. I think rituals are really important – it is weird we have so few. It could be why many of us take up art orgainsing, To meet weekly for whatever reason is really lovely. Now I think we need a theme song and a specific dance. Just saying.
Agreed on the indigenous front – it is the only true Australian culture.
But it is so complicated – and I feel like as white people we can’t claim any part of it because it is not ours to claim. A lot of the culture is secretive as well. But I think at least we could LOVE it, or see it as truly the only unique thing we have in Aus.
The aboriginal cultures here in Taiwan are really celebrated, their culture isn’t appropriated by the Taiwanese or Chinese people but it is loved.