Understanding Identity Through Heritage

Each person is born into a family with historic and cultural roots. Heritage, belonging to a person by birth, could be lineage, nationality, or traditions passed down from generation to generation. Either way, your cultural heritage plays a huge role in shaping your identity.

Identity is what differentiates you from others. While your personal identity is determined by your unique traits, cultures also have their own distinct identities. Your cultural identity is a significant part of your identity. It is determined both by your individual characteristics and by the traits you share with the society you are a part of.

Therefore, while heritage might be seen as a link to the past, culture, on the other hand, contains the shared characteristics of a society that have been collected throughout history. It allows us to view the bigger picture, as culture shapes societies. 

Thus, understanding your cultural identity is critical. It helps you to interpret the beliefs, values, and behaviors you encounter in daily life, providing a framework for understanding yourself and the world around you. Different cultures have distinct identities, and even though some acts might be similar in societies, they are still vastly different from each other. 

The Significance of Ikat

To explore the cultural identities of societies, let’s take a look at ikat. Ikat is a traditional textile that has been around for centuries and is known for its sustainable and vibrant nature. Other than the difference in weaving types, ikat also differs in cultural significance across countries.

Embracing Cultural Heritage

Even though Ikat is represented differently in various cultures, it is important to understand the historical and symbolic meaning behind it. This promotes understanding and sharing of our own cultures. With our Pan project (2023), we aimed to promote knowledge exchange between ikat artisans from various countries and Dutch designers, focusing on creating a safe space for cultural exchange. Moreover, we hoped to preserve and develop the ikat weaving technique for future generations. 

Through our online webinars, we discussed the importance of cultural heritage and how to safeguard it. Our Kasuri Webinar about “Maintaining Tradition in a Transitory World” highlighted the importance of cross-cultural communication, while also discussing the history and development of Kasuri. 

At CCD-NL, we understand the influence of cultural heritage on our identities; We embrace and share our cultures, advocating for a more sustainable cultural development, and aiming to bring a positive change.