Essay
1. Sharing
Tradition
by Frank LaPena
Summary
"Sharing
Tradition" by Frank LaPena is a profound exploration of the significance
of oral tradition in preserving cultural values and passing them down from one
generation to the next. The essay emphasizes the importance of listening to the
wisdom of elders, who possess a wealth of knowledge related to culture,
traditions, religion, and values. Through oral means such as speech, song,
folktales, ballads, chants, prose, or verses, oral tradition serves as a means
of communication to transmit this knowledge across time.
LaPena underscores
the crucial roles that both elders and young people play in maintaining and
preserving cultural values. The elders, as speakers, share their wisdom and
traditions with the young, who, in turn, must assume the responsibility of
carrying forward this oral tradition after the elders' passing. By doing so,
the young keep the elders' concepts and knowledge alive, allowing the tradition
to endure from generation to generation.
The essay argues
that embracing oral tradition is vital to maintaining cultural heritage and
preventing the erosion of values caused by modern technologies. New
technologies can create a divide between generations and contribute to the
destruction of natural resources, which are often tied to traditional
practices. LaPena highlights how oral tradition serves as an educational tool
for learning about the natural world—a knowledge that modern society may
overlook or undervalue. By sharing tradition orally, communities can pass on a
holistic understanding of their relationship with the environment.
However, the essay
also points out potential challenges in recording and preserving oral tradition
accurately. With new developments and influences from outside cultures, the
authenticity of oral narratives may be compromised. Researchers gathering oral
material in the field may unknowingly modify information, leading to the
publication of erroneous data. Correcting such errors after publication becomes
more challenging.
Moreover, the
essay delves into the dynamic relationship between art and oral tradition.
Artists draw inspiration from oral traditions to visualize their imaginative
creations. Any alteration in these traditions can affect the artwork's essence,
making it more abstract or disconnected from its cultural roots. By preserving
and sharing tradition truthfully, artists can better honor their heritage and
create meaningful expressions of their culture.
Throughout the
essay, LaPena emphasizes the profound connection between oral tradition and
cultural identity. Understanding and respecting one's cultural heritage are
essential for future generations to maintain a sense of belonging and
responsibility towards their community. The transmission of oral tradition is
not just about passing information; it is about keeping the spirit of a culture
alive.
In conclusion,
"Sharing Tradition" is a compelling reminder of the importance of
oral tradition in preserving cultural values and passing them on to future generations.
The essay urges the youth to listen to the wisdom of their elders and embrace
the responsibility of carrying forward their heritage. By doing so, communities
can ensure the immortality of their cultures, safeguard their values, and stay
connected with their roots even in the face of modern challenges. The lessons
learned from oral tradition go beyond preserving knowledge; they extend to the
very essence of human identity, art, and relationship with the natural world.
Understanding
the text
Answer
the following questions.
a.
According to LaPena, what is the importance of the oral tradition? To what
extent do you agree with his opinions and why?
Oral tradition
plays a vital role in preserving cultural values by passing knowledge across
generations without relying on written records. The writer strongly agrees with
this viewpoint, emphasizing that elders share their traditions and cultural
concepts with the younger generation. Once the elders pass away, it becomes the
responsibility of the young to continue sharing the tradition orally to
maintain their community's culture and values. This process ensures that oral
tradition perseveres from one generation to the next, safeguarding the cultural
heritage. Additionally, oral tradition serves as an educational tool for
understanding the natural world and securing the cultures and values of the
people.
b.
Who preserves and pass on the oral tradition?
The oral tradition
is preserved and passed on by the elders who share their wisdom and knowledge
from one generation to the next for the betterment of humanity. They guide the
younger ones on the right path to ensure a successful future. By paying attention
to the elders' knowledge and experiences, the present generation can uphold the
oral tradition and preserve cultural values. This continuous transmission of
tradition ensures that cultures and values remain intact across generations,
making the concepts of the elders immortal. Embracing oral tradition becomes a
proper way to safeguard the heritage and values of a community. The young play
a crucial role in keeping the elders' concepts alive, allowing the oral
tradition to thrive and benefit future generations.
c.
What is the danger of not passing on information from generation to generation?
The decline of
cultural and traditional values occurs when information is not passed down
through generations. This poses a danger, as the rich heritage and values of
our traditions may be lost. Without this transmission, people may lead empty
lives devoid of their cultural identity. However, oral tradition serves as a
means to preserve these cultural values. Passing on knowledge and experiences
ensures that the essence of our culture endures. While not everyone can fully
embody the wisdom of their elders, those who do assume a special position in
maintaining the traditions. Regrettably, many young individuals do not pay
attention to the significance of this process, only to realize its importance
later in life. The oral tradition serves as a crucial link to preserve and
cherish our cultural values for generations to come.
d.
What is the difference between oral tradition and literary tradition?
Oral tradition
holds knowledge that modern society often overlooks. However, caution is needed
when gathering oral material, as researchers may inadvertently modify or
misinterpret the information. This can lead to erroneous publications that
falsely validate their research. Unlike the literary tradition, oral tradition
allows for easier modification and correction of mistakes over time. In the
literary tradition, errors are more challenging to amend due to the permanence
of written and printed records. Understanding these distinctions is crucial in
appreciating the unique value and flexibility of oral tradition in preserving
and transmitting knowledge.
e.
How does LaPena establish a relationship between art and the oral tradition?
Oral tradition
significantly influences how artists visualize and create their art, including
stories, characters, designs, colors, and atmospheres. Passing down tradition
through word of mouth is considered an art form, with both speakers and
listeners playing vital roles. This artistic practice spans generations,
successfully preserving culture and values. The transmission of traditional
information occurs artistically through various oral means, such as speech,
folk tales, ballads, songs, prose, and verses. Through this unique art form,
cultural heritage and values are upheld and sustained in the world. Oral
tradition's impact on artistic expression serves as a powerful conduit for
preserving the richness of tradition and ensuring its continuity throughout
time.
Reference
the context
a. LaPena
states that the oral tradition helps maintain the values of a culture. If you
believe that the oral tradition is important, how would you maintain it?
Sharing traditions
is a way to honor elders and recognize our responsibilities. Oral tradition serves
as an educational tool for understanding the natural world and securing
cultural values. It helps maintain the values of a culture, and everyone in
society has a role to play in preserving it. Listening to and interviewing
elders, recording narrations and folktales, and educating the youth about the
importance of oral tradition are essential steps. The individual can actively
contribute to maintaining oral tradition by spreading awareness, organizing a
community team dedicated to preserving culture through oral means, and passing
authentic information to others. By taking these actions, the person ensures
that cultural heritage continues to thrive through the generations.
b.
“Not everyone is capable of fulfilling the roles of the elders.” Explain this
statement with reference to the essay.
The elders hold a
crucial role in preserving and maintaining cultural traditions and values. They
are the foundation of our tradition, and their specialized knowledge and
experience make them irreplaceable in the community. Their responsibilities,
including religious practices, ceremonies, and dance, reflect their deep
understanding of cultural heritage. Unfortunately, the younger generation often
fails to fully appreciate and absorb this knowledge, leading to a potential
decline in cultural preservation. Once the elders pass away, their positions
become challenging to fill, as not everyone can fulfill their significant roles
in upholding the culture and values through oral tradition. The essay
highlights the remarkable contributions of elders in passing down cultural
wisdom, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and respecting their vital
role in the community.
c.
What is the controlling idea or thesis of this essay?
The central idea
of oral tradition is its importance in preserving cultural values. This form of
art involves the active participation of both elders and youth in passing down
tradition from one generation to the next. However, this task comes with
challenges, and both parties must take responsibility for its continuity. Oral
tradition serves as a means of transmitting messages and knowledge through
spoken words, enabling people to understand the world and learn about their
culture's essential aspects. Listening to the stories shared by elders is key
to maintaining this tradition. Trust and accurate information-sharing are vital
components of preserving the oral tradition successfully. By cherishing and
respecting the wisdom of the elders, oral tradition can thrive and ensure the continued
preservation of cultural values for future generations.
d.
How do topic sentences guide the reader through the essay? What would be lost
without them?
Topic sentences
play a crucial role in guiding readers by presenting various ideas related to the
significance of sharing traditions orally. They encompass themes such as the
importance of cultural values, ways to maintain and preserve them, the role of
elders and youth in this process, and challenges in conserving oral traditions.
These topic sentences support the main point of the essay, which revolves
around the importance of oral tradition. They act as signposts, providing
readers with a clear direction for each paragraph. Without well-defined topic
sentences, an essay may lack coherence, making it challenging for the writer to
convey the main message effectively to the reader. Therefore, topic sentences
are essential for maintaining the essay's focus and ensuring that the ideas
presented are logically connected and cohesive.
e.
What are the four major problems developed by LaPena with regard to maintaining
the oral tradition. How are they used to structure the essay?
"Sharing
Tradition," written by Frank LaPena, emphasizes the significance of
passing culture and values through oral tradition from one generation to
another. The essay highlights the necessity of listening to elders' stories to
maintain cultural values successfully. LaPena identifies four major challenges
in maintaining oral tradition, which structure the essay and guide readers through
its various ideas:
i) Not everyone can fulfill the roles of the elders,
which can lead to potential gaps in passing down traditions.
ii) The influence of modern technology poses a threat
to oral tradition, as it can separate generations and impact natural resources.
iii) The modern education system may overlook the
importance of oral tradition, potentially weakening its transmission.
iv) The validity of information sources can be
doubtful, leading to potential inaccuracies in the preservation of tradition.
Despite these
challenges, the essay focuses on how to preserve and maintain the culture and
values of oral tradition. The themes presented in the essay underscore the
importance of cherishing and safeguarding oral tradition in the face of modern
hindrances and uncertainties.
Reference
beyond the text
a.
Write a paragraph explaining your attitude toward the oral tradition of passing
along information.
Oral tradition is
a powerful form of human communication that passes on knowledge, art, ideas,
and cultural material orally from generation to generation. It involves
transmitting information through speech, song, folktales, ballads, chants, and
more. Maintaining and sharing tradition through oral means is not an easy task,
requiring active involvement from both elders and young people in the
community.
Elders play a
critical role as they possess valuable knowledge about cultures, traditions,
religions, and values. Young people must listen and follow their wisdom,
carrying forward the tradition after the elders pass away. This continuous
transmission ensures the preservation of cultures and values across time,
allowing the concepts of elders to live on indefinitely.
Modern
technologies pose challenges to oral tradition, as they can separate generations
and impact natural resources, threatening traditional practices tied to the
natural world. Additionally, gathering oral material for research may lead to
the modification and publication of erroneous information, affecting the
authenticity of traditions.
Oral tradition
differs from literary tradition in that it allows for corrections and a deeper
understanding of the information. Patience and a vested interest from both the
speaker and listener are essential for accurate transmission. Art and oral
tradition are intricately linked, as artists draw inspiration from traditions
to create genuine artwork. Altering traditions can lead to abstract art,
emphasizing the value of preserving the original cultural essence.
Sharing traditions
through oral means honors the elders and upholds responsibilities. It serves as
an educational tool for understanding the natural world and securing cultures
and values. Oral tradition is a vital practice for sustaining and preserving
cultural identity worldwide. By actively engaging in oral tradition,
individuals can preserve and safeguard their cultural and traditional values,
ensuring their legacy endures for generations to come.
b.
Our culture is our identity. Write a few paragraphs explaining how you intend
to preserve your culture, values, and norms.
Our culture is our
identity
Culture is a
powerful force that shapes an individual's identity in profound ways,
influencing their beliefs, values, behaviors, and attitudes. From the moment a
person is born, they are immersed in a rich tapestry of cultural practices and
traditions that leave an indelible mark on who they become. Cultural identity
is the essence of who we are, and it plays a crucial role in determining our
sense of belonging and place in the world.
In Nepal, a
country known for its diverse cultural landscape, the phrase "Our Culture,
Our Identity" holds deep meaning. The lifestyles of Nepalese people are
intricately intertwined with a plethora of cultural practices stemming from
various castes, religions, and ethnic groups. These traditions permeate every
aspect of daily life, guiding rituals, customs, and social interactions.
Cultural diversity
is a point of pride for Nepal, and people are often recognized and identified
by their cultural affiliations. From the distinct festivals celebrated across
the country to the colorful array of traditional attire, cultural heritage is a
central part of Nepalese identity. The unity displayed during these
celebrations showcases the collective strength of the Nepalese people and their
shared reverence for their cultural roots.
Nepalese
civilization is deeply rooted in its culture, values, and norms, providing a
moral compass that shapes individuals' actions and decisions. The preservation
of cultural heritage is paramount to sustaining this unique identity.
Celebrating cultural ceremonies and events allows for the passing down of
traditions from one generation to the next, ensuring their continuity and
relevance in modern times.
Raising awareness
about the significance of cultural practices is vital, especially in a rapidly
changing world where globalization and modernization can threaten cultural
integrity. By promoting cultural events and establishing heritage-related
organizations, Nepalese communities can unite in safeguarding their traditions
and values. Additionally, sharing information about cultural practices,
folklore, and historical knowledge can foster a deeper understanding of the
diverse cultural fabric that defines Nepal.
In conclusion,
culture is an integral part of individual identity, shaping beliefs, behaviors,
and values. In Nepal, the celebration of cultural diversity highlights the
importance of preserving and cherishing cultural heritage. By embracing one's
culture and passing it on to future generations, Nepalese people can ensure the
perpetuation of their unique identity and the rich tapestry of traditions that
define their society. The collective effort to maintain cultural heritage
serves as a testament to the strength and resilience of a nation deeply
connected to its roots.
Best of
Luck
.jpg)
