#cultural heritage and identity

[its-poojagupta-shree]

Central to this cultural heritage is the celebration of Indian womanhood, which exemplifies the resilience, strength, and grace of women across the country. Throughout history, Indian women have played pivotal roles in shaping their families, communities, and society at large, contributing significantly to art, literature, politics, and every sphere of life. In this blog, we will delve into the cultural heritage of India and explore how it intertwines with the celebration of Indian womanhood, highlighting the crucial role of women in preserving and enriching this heritage.

[da2supremacy]

I know that removing the Valaslin is the overwhelmingly most common choice among the Greater Solavellan but I gotta know...

Is there anyone else out there who doesn't let Solas remove it?

[blackswaneuroparedux]

Quicumque amisit dignitatem pristinam, ignavis etiam iocus est in casu gravi.

- Phaedrus

Whoever has lost his ancient dignity Is a joke to baser men in the midst of grave mistake.

[fjordfolk]

people really be out there like “I wonder what this breed called a Shetland sheepdog was used for historically? alas it’s impossible to tell, we may never know” 🤦‍♀️

There is, believe it or not, some actual controversy regarding the breed origins and most of it (imo) stems from many people's mental image of a working sheepdog is a border collie, and not quite grasping that border collies are freaks and the way that we now work border collies didn't exist prior to the development of the border collie, and in some parts the way we keep SHEEP didn't exist prior to the border collie. There's also been some debate around old letters written by non-shetlanders after visiting the isles or talking to locals and having mmm interesting ideas of how people handled sheep over there. This leads to statements like:

Sheltie legs are too short to outrun sheep

They're also too small to grab the sheep and hold it (don't get me started)

A sheltie could never take sheep through a- (name specific type of herding trial)

Maybe they were actually placed with flocks on peripheral islands to keep watch for birds??

Shelties never existed and were made up in the late 1800s just for shetlanders to make money off of selling cute puppies to gullible tourists

There was an original sheepdog on Shetland but it was a much bigger dog (see reasons above) and the current sheltie was made up in the late 1800s, by breeding cavaliers to pomeranians and maybe a collie, just for shetlanders to sell puppies to tourists

...and so, clearly, they can't have been sheepdogs and we have No Clue what they were actually for (except scamming foreigners)

Meanwhile we know that traditional shepherding on Shetland relied on roaming sheep, keeping them off the property rather than on it (because that's where your crops are) and you'd only be rounding up your sheep a couple of times a year, and that island-bred shelties were smaller and spitzier type than even the current UK type.

[troutfur]

My thoughts are currently so consumed by The Sisters right now thanks to all the morsels of spoilers I've been getting re: Ivypool's Heart that I think it may be about time to bite the bullet and begin reading more content relating to them other than Tree's Roots.

[iloveethnicities]

The Festival de la Tercera Raíz (Third Root Festival) is a vibrant celebration in Mexico that honors Afro-Mexican heritage, recognizing and elevating the unique cultural, historical, and social contributions of Afro-descendant communities in the country. Primarily celebrated in the coastal regions of Guerrero, Oaxaca, and Veracruz, the festival brings together traditional music, dance, food, art, and spiritual practices in a rich tapestry of Afro-Mexican identity and resilience. It underscores the legacy of African influence in Mexico—often overlooked in mainstream historical narratives—paying homage to the "third root" of Mexican heritage, alongside the Spanish and Indigenous influences.

The name "Tercera Raíz" (Third Root) reflects the recognition of African roots as an essential component of Mexican heritage. While Indigenous and European (Spanish) roots are well-known, the African heritage that arrived with the transatlantic slave trade in the 16th century has often been overlooked. During this era, enslaved Africans were brought to New Spain (now Mexico), predominantly working in the sugarcane plantations, mines, and alongside Indigenous laborers in various regions. Over time, African, Indigenous, and Spanish cultures intermingled, forming a rich and unique cultural synthesis that shaped the identity of Afro-Mexican communities.

The festival was developed as part of a broader movement to increase visibility and acknowledgment of Afro-Mexican culture, which had long been marginalized in Mexican society. Recognition of Afro-Mexican communities gained momentum especially in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, as these communities advocated for the preservation and acknowledgment of their heritage. The festival plays a crucial role in affirming Afro-Mexican identity, celebrating their unique cultural practices, and educating the broader public about the African presence in Mexican history.

Although not confined to a single location, the Third Root Festival is most prominently celebrated in the Costa Chica region, which spans parts of Guerrero and Oaxaca. This area has historically high populations of Afro-Mexican communities, who have preserved African-influenced customs and traditions over generations. Veracruz, another coastal state with a strong Afro-Mexican presence, also hosts the festival and events to honor Afro-Mexican heritage.

The festival generally takes place during special cultural and commemorative dates, often overlapping with Mexico’s national celebrations or other important Afro-diasporic celebrations. In recent years, it has often been held around the International Day of Afro-Latin, Afro-Caribbean, and Diaspora Women (July 25) and Black History Month (February). However, it is celebrated year-round in various forms in different communities, depending on local traditions and scheduling.

The Festival de la Tercera Raíz incorporates a multitude of cultural expressions, reflecting the African, Indigenous, and Spanish influences that define Afro-Mexican heritage. The festivities highlight music, dance, food, art, religious rituals, and oral traditions, showcasing the distinct cultural identity of Afro-Mexican communities.

— Music and Dance: Traditional Afro-Mexican music and dance are central to the festival. One of the most iconic forms is La Danza de los Diablos (The Dance of the Devils), performed in Guerrero and Oaxaca. In this dance, participants wear devil masks adorned with horns and often move to the beat of drums and marimbas, instruments with African origins. This dance, with its intense rhythms and symbolic masks, is thought to represent the struggles and resilience of African slaves who resisted and survived their conditions. It also includes son jarocho in Veracruz, a musical style characterized by the use of string instruments like the jarana, requinto, and marimbol that blend African, Indigenous, and Spanish influences.

— Cuisine: Afro-Mexican culinary traditions are celebrated through dishes that blend African, Indigenous, and Spanish ingredients and techniques. Dishes often feature plantains, yams, coconut, corn, and a variety of seafood, reflecting both African culinary heritage and local resources. Popular dishes include tostadas de camarón (shrimp tostadas) and pescado a la talla (a grilled fish dish) in coastal areas. Food not only serves as nourishment but also as a medium through which Afro-Mexican heritage is passed down, with recipes and cooking techniques often preserved within families for generations.

— Art and Handicrafts: Art forms are another vibrant component of the festival. Artisans showcase crafts such as woven goods, pottery, and sculpture that reflect Afro-Mexican aesthetics and iconography. Many pieces include symbols and imagery from African cosmologies, such as representations of animals or elements believed to carry spiritual significance. The visual arts in the Third Root Festival offer a means for Afro-Mexicans to celebrate their heritage, create connections to ancestral African lands, and express pride in their communities.

— Spiritual and Religious Practices: Spirituality also plays a significant role in the festival. While many Afro-Mexicans are Catholic, their religious practices often incorporate elements of African spirituality and local Indigenous customs. For instance, some communities maintain African-based spiritual practices such as honoring ancestors, engaging in ceremonial drumming, and participating in rituals connected to nature and spirits. These practices serve as acts of cultural preservation, emphasizing the importance of maintaining connections to African heritage within the framework of Mexican religious practices.

— Oral Traditions and Storytelling: Oral tradition is a key feature of the festival, with elders recounting stories, legends, and songs that have been passed down through generations. These stories often include themes of resilience, freedom, and identity, offering insight into the historical experiences of Afro-Mexicans and their ongoing fight for recognition. Storytelling sessions may involve tales of maroons (enslaved people who escaped and formed independent communities), the significance of particular rituals, and the influence of African deities or heroes in local lore.

— Workshops and Educational Programs: The festival also includes educational components, such as workshops, panels, and seminars, where scholars, activists, and community leaders discuss Afro-Mexican history, identity, and contemporary issues. These events serve as an opportunity to learn about Afro-Mexican contributions to Mexican society, confront issues of racism, and advocate for greater political and social recognition. For young people, the festival offers a space to explore their identity and connect with their heritage through art, music, and dance workshops.

The Festival de la Tercera Raíz plays a crucial role in challenging historical narratives that have minimized or erased Afro-Mexican contributions to Mexican culture. It fosters pride within Afro-Mexican communities and brings awareness to their struggles for cultural, social, and political inclusion. The festival is a moment of collective celebration but also a call to action against systemic discrimination and the invisibility that Afro-Mexican communities have faced for centuries.

In recent years, Mexico has taken strides to recognize Afro-Mexican communities, with the 2020 census marking the first time Afro-Mexicans were included as a distinct ethnic group. The Third Root Festival has contributed to such achievements by spotlighting the lived experiences and cultural wealth of Afro-Mexicans, drawing national and international attention to their contributions and challenges.

Through its vibrant expression of art, spirituality, and communal solidarity, the Festival de la Tercera Raíz reminds all Mexicans and the wider world of the depth and beauty of Afro-Mexican culture. It underscores the ongoing importance of preserving and celebrating Mexico’s African heritage, ensuring that the legacy of the "third root" continues to grow and flourish as an integral part of Mexico’s cultural mosaic.

[black2infinity]

Our Identity

[befuddled-calico-whump]

Does the fleet respect pronouns? What about for prisoners? Would scary ashbury(is that his his name is spelled?), use the right pronouns for his captives?

They do! Riot Kings is set in a far-future hypothetical version of our world, and I like to think at that point (500ish years into the future) varying genders, gender identities, sexualities, etc are pretty widespread and normalized, so no one really bats an eye

However, I am writing it through a 21st century lense, and it's not really the focus, so it might not always shine through that way

[sefaradweb]

Learning Ladino

Ladino, also referred to as Judeo-Spanish or Judezmo, serves as the linguistic heritage of Sephardic Jews, or Sepharadim, descending from the Iberian Peninsula, which encompasses present-day Spain and Portugal. Following their expulsion from Spain in 1492, Sepharadim dispersed throughout the Mediterranean, the Middle East, and beyond, predominantly finding refuge in the Ottoman Empire. It was within this diverse cultural milieu that Ladino emerged, blending Spanish and other Iberian languages with a robust infusion of Hebrew-Aramaic elements, while also incorporating linguistic influences from the surrounding Mediterranean regions such as Turkish, Greek, Italian, French, and Arabic. Embracing versatility, Ladino became the language of everyday life, spanning from domestic settings to public spaces like markets and synagogues, and encompassing various aspects of culture including humor, politics, and literature.

[trendynewsnow]

Council of Europe Demands Reparations from Russia for Cultural Heritage Damage in Ukraine

Council of Europe Calls for Reparations from Russia for Cultural Heritage Damage in Ukraine The Council of Europe, the continent’s oldest intergovernmental organization dedicated to upholding the rule of law, has issued a significant declaration demanding that the Russian Federation pay reparations to Ukraine. This follows a statement released on Wednesday, in which the Council expressed its…

[sohannabarberaesque]

"For now, watch this culturally-dubious movie from the '80's until I get back!"

--El Kabong, "Mummy Knows Best" episiode, Jellystone!

I will have you know that the flicktoonry of Hanna-Barbera is NOT "culturally dubious," nor should it be seen as such, notwithstanding conservative delusions about an organic "American Defining Culture" "born out of the Volk to serve the Volk," absent clear defining standards of what same should constitute.

[rapha-reads]

Visitor at the museum: "where are you from?"

Me: "I'm French Moroccan"

Him: "oh so you're French"

Me: "no, I'm French Moroccan"

Him: "right, but of French origins"

Me, very firm: "no, I was born in France and grew up in Morocco and I am French AND Moroccan"

Him: "ah. Alright"

Mira tío, sé que es un poco complicado para tu minúsculo cerebro de hombre blanco hetero de más de 50 años, pero claro que sí que la gente puede tener más de una nacionalidad, más de una lengua, más de una origen, más de una cultura.

For hell's sake. Idiot almost ruined my morning. Alright, I'm gonna go back to chatting with the two super nice English women from the Midlands who are passionate about contemporary art, that's better.

[zephyr-paladyn]

dan heng from the angle of dissociative amnesia and trauma

a Lot of my different life experiences lend themselves to understanding and relating to dan heng a good amount from different angles. so one thing that kind of bothers me or even intrigues me is how much different people interpret him in relation to dan feng, and his past/connection to the vidyadhara & xianzhou at all.

like. i just saw a post just now that was intriguing and i kinda understood what they were getting at, but the wording felt a bit off to me. yes, the sins and memories of dan feng are his to bear. but he isn't dan feng. he's a different person, although within the same reincarnation lineage as dan feng. on a technicality; physical level... yes, they're the "same person." but emotionally, psychologically, and in terms of memories -- the things that make one a person shaped by experiences -- he's not the same person. take someone (like a system) who experiences dissociative amnesia and trauma, and forms a new identity afterwards. while their new life and identity is different from their past, echoes from the past -- the way their past played out -- has an undeniable influence on their current identity. i don't remember my entire past, but the pain i experienced shaped me into who i am today. this is a similar case with dan heng in relation to dan feng. like with all trauma and healing, coming to terms with your past is how you can move on. so with the post in question -- they did say dan heng has to reconcile with his past as dan feng and pay for his sins, which yes i agree with. but, he's not the same as dan feng. to say so is to be disrespectful and dismissive of the new life and identity one takes on. if you came up to me and talked about my deadname or my past that i don't remember at all it'd be very awkward and weird, lol. but, to come to terms with your trauma is key to understanding yourself and who you are, and thus you can take that new identity and go forwards with it in full understanding and peace, shaping a new future and life for yourself. dan heng is dan heng.

[puckpocketed]

i need to know if and HOW australian sensibilities have translated into ice hockey culture. i think we are so primed for the team aspect with our built-in emphasis on mateship. but what about fairness? do australian ice hockey teams have superstars given our propensity to shun tall poppies?? do we have the same intricate vengeance dances despite our beliefs about sportsmanship? (or perhaps even because of?)

aihl… aihl please come back from the war….

[madtomedgar]

Noticing that the flashpoint around members of religious minorities, including atheists from those groups, using the term "cultural christianity" seems to be that ex-christian atheists, or atheists who are not related to minority cultural-religious groups, think that when we say it, we mean something bad. That in this context "christian" means something derogatory, and cultural means "crypto" as in covert.

This is a neutral term. It isn't a bad thing to participate or be shaped by the culture that grows up around a religion, which includes language, holidays, architecture, food, music, storytelling themes, etc. Someone who grows up as a christian in a country that is not culturally christian but later becomes an agnostic or atheist is still a member of that broad, shared culture of holidays, food, etc.

The problem is when a majority culture uses the power of the state and of civil society to enforce cultural norms tied up in, or stemming from, its historical religion on others. This includes things like the state recognizing christian holidays, but not any one else's religious or cultural holidays; supermarkets being full of holiday associated food for christian holidays, but it being difficult or impossible to find appropriate food for Eid or Rosh Hashanah; Kosher and Halal slaughter being banned while fish Friday is still a thing, even if few students are practicing catholics; wearing crosses being fine, sometimes more fashion than religion, but kippot or beards or hijab being penalized; Assuming all religion is fundamentally similar to the dominant religion.

These are problems of cultural hegemony, not of culture. There is nothing wrong with having a December holiday party. There is a problem with assuming everyone has holidays in December and should be happy to participate in eating cookies and exchanging gifts, while not being willing to go have lunch in someone's Sukkah.

And saying people should be aware of and work to dismantle cultural christian hegemony means asking people to support colleagues who want to take time off for their holidays without dipping into sick or pto, and not assuming your world view is objective or the only correct one.

It's not asking people to "repent" for some inborn "sin" or saying anyone is secretly the thing they are saying they aren't, just like criticizing US imperialism isn't an attack on racial minorities in the US or erasing their oppression.

And assuming it is betrays a world view steeped in christian philosophy of good, evil, and personal accountability that is in no way a universal way of understanding things. It's not an inherently inferior way of understanding things, but it is specific, and assuming that it's how everyone understands things is a sign of the cultural hegemony of christian-dominant culture.

[uncanny-tranny]

you mentioned the "first reansmasc haircut" thing and i gotta say its not just a white thing, i did the same thing lol

I didn't want to be overly presumptuous because hairstyles are incredibly diverse, but... it's nice to know this is a thing we can share regardless of what The Haircut happens to have been 🙏