Part Of The Past That Made The Present
Culture and tradition are two essential things that make up a certain country, tribe, religion, and etc. These two have been part of the past that somehow made the present. Have you ever wondered how these two ‘essential’ things can really affect people’s decision, choice, and judgment?
let’s take the story “ The Wedding Dance” by Amador Daguio as an example. It’s a story about a couple who cannot have a child. Because of the tribe’s tradition, the husband married another woman to have a child with. What would you feel if you’re the original wife? What would you feel if you’re the husband?
In the story, women are only expected to do things in the house. Additionally, they are also expected to farm. While men are expected to fight for the tribe and to have a child; a child who could be their heir; a child to teach about the culture and tradition of their tribe. Having a child shows how really strong and manly a certain man is. Furthermore, If you don’t have a child no one will live out your name; the child bears the name of their father. Awiyao (the husband) was bullied because of this; because of not having a child. that’s why, he married another woman to have a child with. If you’re in Awiyao’s shoe, would you have done the same?
Culture reflects the characteristics that describe a society at a particular time; and culture is mostly associated with the art forms. Tradition is the passing of beliefs or behaviors from one generation to the next generation.
Culture and tradition have a big impact to ourselves. they affect your decisions and choices. In example, Awiyao married another woman because having a child is part of their tradition. Awiyao’s decision/choice was clouded by the thought of this ‘tradition.’ Even though he loved Lumnay (original wife), he still did it anyways. Subsequently, They also affect our plans for the future. Have you ever thought of marrying someone? Or do you want to be single your whole life? Do you want to be a priest/nun or a leader of your religion? If you answer ‘yes’ to any one of these questions, probably there’s a reason why you want to become, what you want to be. A good example how culture and tradition affect our plans is this:
A boy grew up with his parents are both business leaders whose parents are also business leaders. Their business is passed/inherited through generations to another generation. Now the boy’s parents want him to be a businessman too. The boy didn’t want to be a businessman he wants to be a teacher but the boy still became a businessman because of the will of his parents and to continue their tradition, also that sense of obligation to carry out their business.
“Love conquers all.”
In the story, you’ll notice that Awiyao and Lumnay loved each other, but Awiyao married another woman. this contradict the qoute “love conquers all.” It’s true, that love cannot conquer all, if and only if, you DON’T let love conquer all. It is not love that let Awiyao marry another woman but it is himself; It is because of the tradition of their tribe. In order for love to win, you must need to let love first before anything else. All things in the world change, but only true love is timeless. Lumnay stayed single and still waited for Awiyao despite of anything Awiyao have done to her; that’s true love. Awiyao also loved Lumnay but his decision was clouded by their tradition. In other words, Awiyao didn’t choosed love instead he choosed culture and tradition.
Culture and tradition really have a big impact on our society today. These might make things better but these also might make things worse. As time pass by, culture and tradition change. It’s not right to say tradition and culture to change but we should let them evolve; evolve for the better. We must learn how to ‘evolve’ these two essential things in order for love to win.