Invented Tradition free essay sample

Generally tradition is known as a mode of thought or behavior which has been followed or practice by people continuously from generation to generation such as custom or usage. In purpose to strengthen the above statement, by citing the general definition of the tradition, Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Dictionary of the fourth edition explains tradition is a common, customs, beliefs and other have perpetual succession. The of term tradition (English word) is derived from the Latin word ‘traditio’, the noun from the verb traderer or tradere literally meaning to transmit, to hand over or to give for safekeeping. While it is commonly assumed that traditions have ancient history, there are many traditions that have been invented on purpose, whether that be political or cultural [Wikipedia, 2011]. There are various views expressed by scholars and academic figures on the tradition in a society based on the eyes and fundamentalism that dominated their thinking. For instance, Eric Hobsbawm is one of Britain’s most prominent historians with his view of tradition and identity. However, he has a different perception on the meaning of tradition and this led him introduced the term of ‘invention of tradition’. According to Hobsbawm in his book entitled The Invention of Tradition (1983), tradition is something that can be constructed and institutionalized unlike the ordinary definition who thought tradition is something that the practice of generations in a society. Hobsbawm also argued that the new traditions were invented to connect people to the territories and to give sense of belonging to each other. In Europe, time of inventing tradition was took place around the 19th century. By inventing tradition, the nation will gained its legitimacy in order to build a modern nation-state. In other words, we can say that the new invented traditions enhances patriotism, loyalty, duty and the like which their function can be summarizing into three parts. Firstly as to establish or symbolize cohesion or the membership of groups; secondly, to legitimize institutions, status or relations of authority and lastly is to create beliefs, value systems and conventions of behavior. Almost all countries throughout the world create their own traditions in order to express their culture as well as specialized it from outside communities. Amongst them, Malaysia is not exception in creating its own tradition too. There are many invented tradition in Malaysia either as a whole or by the existing ethnic group. For instance, one of the most popular invented tradition among Malaysian is open house which usually held during the festive season. Besides, there are also another invented tradition that have been practice by people of Malaysia such as wearing a school uniform, wearing Batik, honor to national flag and so on. My first point on the invented tradition in Malaysia is open house. The term open house can be defined as a place or situation in which all visitors are welcome. Pursuant to the Macmillan Dictionary (2007), the term is also referred as a period of time when people are encouraged to visit a place and it is a party which we invite people to come whenever they want to during a particular time period. The reason I look open house as an invented tradition in my country because this event will be held at every festival celebration celebrated by the people of Malaysia. This is because it has become a tradition or the yearly event to Malaysia government to implement an open house nationally either during the celebration of Hari Raya, Chinese New year, Deepavali and Christmas with the hope of uniting all communities in Malaysia in order to build the country as a nation-state. The second point of the invented tradition that I have found in Malaysian culture is wearing a school uniform for student. As we know, wearing school uniforms to school whether primary or secondary school is seen as one of the ducational tradition which grew from the days before independence in which it was introduced by the British, who ruled at that time. This tradition has been going on for almost 185 years since the establishment of the first Malay school in Malaya that is Gelugor Malay School, 1826. This tradition clearly invented and constructed by the British and later institutionalized by the Malaysian government through the Ministry of Education as one of obligation to each student who go to school [Tradition is an invented, constructed and institutionalized]. The purpose of the institutionalized this invented tradition is to nurture a discipline among the student and based on it we can bring forth a new generation with the ideal personality in leading the nation in future. Next invented tradition is wearing Batik among the public employees. In an effort to elevate the art of batik as a national heritage, the political authorities of Malaysia had voiced a strong wish that all public employees should wear batik at work at least one day every week [Batik at the Millennial Turn]. Because of that, on Thursday weekly, each public employee is encouraged to wear batik themed. By adjusting the characteristics of formal wear, it has become a correct attire for man at formal occasions like a long-sleeved batik shirt. With the elevate the art of batik as a one of Malaysia national heritage, our artistic heritage left by ancestors will remain protected. My final point on the invented tradition that available in my country is honor to our national flag which also known as Jalur Gemilang. Despite the splendor of the Jalur Gemilang, there were the meanings of itself. As an example, each color in it, has its own meaning such as blue field symbolizes the unity of the Malaysian people while the fourteen bands represent the federal government and a group of thirteen states [Malaysian Flag]. I tend to say this is a invented tradition because after my country getting independence from the colonialist, it become a tradition to most of the Malaysian to flying Jalur Gemilang especially when there comes the month of independence which is mid of August and during National Day celebrations till the formation day of Malaysia which is called Hari Malaysia on September 16th. This is one of the way we as Malaysians to show our love for the country. Lastly, as a whole we can conclude that Hobsbawm thinking on the concept of tradition is particularly helpful in understanding the cultural development of the society. His idea of critical and thoughtful is seen critical and constructive by saying that the tradition in a society can be invented, constructed and institutionalized by certain parties to achieve their own objectives. As we could see, there are many invented tradition in Malaysia which have its own aim to achieve on her way to set up a nation-state.