Why Traditions Matter in the Modern Era

Ikat at CCD-NL, from CCD-NL Archives

Imagine yourself in a world where traditions do not exist. Traditions are the threads that provide continuity, identity, and a sense of belonging. Traditions are what makes a society; traditions are what makes you you.

Generations after generations, beliefs, values, and customs are passed down and modified. Dutch designer and future heritage specialist Nikkie Wester shared her fascination with traditional textiles in an online CCD-NL webinar about Binding Cultures in Times of Crisis. She expressed, “These textiles are a result of giving information true from mother to daughter, father to son; and in which every generation puts its own part into it. So, the richness you see in clothing and textiles used in these cultures are a passage of knowledge.”

While traditions are vessels of knowledge, they also play a crucial role in fulfilling the “Four B’s”, which are our senses of being, belonging, believing, and benevolence. Participating in traditions fosters a sense of belonging within a larger community. This communal bond nurtures a belief in something larger than oneself; it encourages individuals to see themselves as a part of the collective.

Focusing more on individuality, traditions have always been a part of our identities. Therefore, they serve as a bridge between the past and the future, especially in today’s globalized world where cultural homogenization is a risk.

Therefore, preserving traditions helps maintain our unique identities. But while it’s important to maintain traditions, it is also crucial for them to evolve. As culture is not static, but rather quite dynamic, it always develops. Take, for instance, the ancient art of Ikat fabric – a traditional dyeing technique for creating a unique style of textile patterns. The oldest Ikat dates back 5,000 years. However, as cultures evolve, so do cultural artifacts – Marsa Fattu, a talented Rote-Ndao Ikat artist and the leader of the Ina Manenu weaving group, blends both tradition and modernity in her garments. By creating contemporary Ikat pieces, she further demonstrates the importance of traditions in the modern era.

Moreover, cultural sustainability, as described by Kartiina Soini and Inger Birkeland, is the concept of maintaining cultural beliefs and practices. Culture drives sustainable development in the social, economic, and environmental fields. This is one of the main reasons why traditions, a huge part of culture, are important in today’s dynamic cultural evolution.

At CCD-NL, we understand the significance of traditions in the modern world. Our events and projects focus on sustainable cultural development, acknowledging tradition’s role in shaping communities and fostering cultural continuity.