Culture and TraditionAn evolution of human entertainment

Buzkashi, anyone?

Photo: Wall Street Journal

Buzkashi

Means “goat-grabbing” in Dari

Is a centuries-old sport in Central Asia

Pits multiple horse riders against one another

Has as its goal capturing a goat carcass

Considered Afghanistan’s national sport

Source: Wall Street Journal http://on.wsj.com/yOFXVZ

Chinese Cricket Fighting

Cricket Fighting

Over 1,000 years old, from Tang Dynasty

Banned during the Cultural Revolution

Requires handlers to provoke the fighters with sticks to begin fighting

Loudest chirpers usually fiercest fighters

Cultural pride or barbaric practice?

Dog-fighting (dog vs. dog)

Cock-fighting (rooster vs. rooster)

Bullfighting (man vs. bull)

Fox-hunting (men on horses vs. fox)

Cage-fighting (man vs. man)

Boxing (man vs. man, now woman vs. woman)

American football (men vs. men)

Ice hockey (men vs. men, recently women)

Examining tradition

Choose a tradition from your culture of origin.Examples: Sadie Hawkins Day, child marriage,

Sinterklaas & Swarte Piet (Saint Nicholas & Black Peter), pie-eating contests, marriage dowries, Running of the Bulls, playing Cowboys & Indians, father/daughter dances, fraternity hazing

What are its origins?

How is it currently practiced?

Examining tradition

Given current trends, sensibilities, and awareness, what is your prediction for the future practice of this tradition?

What makes a tradition “traditional”? What have you learned about culture and practice?

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