Deterioration of Colombia’s cultural and national identity
Introduction
In this essay the question to be developed is: What phenomena have the deterioration, destruction and extinction of some of Colombian cultures and traditions brought with them? To begin with, Colombia has always been a country of contrasts, whose diversity between culture, regions, folklore and traditions, have made this a unique place, in terms of intangible heritage, without neglecting that with forty -eight millionpeople, with thirty -two different departments and more of seventy languages between indigenous and Creole, are part of identity as a country.
Developing
If a retrospective is made in history, from the first civilizations settled, they are cultural manifestations of the pre -Columbian peoples (Muisca, in the creation of ceramics, Quimbaya in the goldreplaced by customs brought from Europe by the colonizers, through the long miscegenation process that created “new cultures, such as Creoles, Wayuu, Koguis, Wiwas, among others, which were strengthened with independence, and which today inday they are maintained ". (Zambrano, 2017). In the Political Constitution of the year 1991, recognition of cultural heritage is made, which is registered in various norms and policies, but these efforts are still insufficient to create a culture of recognition and protection, which is being displaced, by the different habits oflife that have been adopted by globalization and the use of new technologies.
It is difficult to imagine an image of the unstable situation on which our culture depends on foreignism, where we are less and less on ourselves. Free trade treaties, food and clothing brands, technologies, foreign colloquialisms, music, religion, among others make an idea that Colombia is being molded to adopt a lifestyle and customs and not for livingOwn. On the other hand, many of our problems regarding identity refer, are the product of social unconsciousness that adopts others such as his, so where is ours?, The new trends and the lack of appropriation of our roots and sense of belonging, are causing a loss in the cultural identity of the country.
Important symbols, traditions, arts, were lost in time and those knowledge and traditions were destroyed by Spanish airs. “From the discovery of America, capital elaborated its accumulation strategies, without ethical considerations. Everything became susceptible to becoming wealth and heritage, whether precious metals, rebel men, pearls, precious stones, food and blankets ”(Pinzón, 1997).
For our misfortune, the extensive indigenous legacy has been disappearing. Native resistance seems to be more and more overshadowed by the forced displacement caused by war, discrimination and abandonment of the State to these communities. Cultural manifestations such as music, folklore, legends and gastronomy are not alien to this problem. Less and less exponents of rhythms such as Carranga, the Cundiboyacense hall, cumbias, among other characteristic rhythms of our country, due to the inclusion of much more commercial musical styles from abroad from abroad.
As for gastronomy, there is also a displacement process since the flavors and recipes of international cuisine dishes, fast foods, processed foods or various multinational brands that have been established in our country are preferred, changing customs in the feeding ofour population and loss of ingredients such as beans, cubios, cabbages, sweet potatoes and recipes of traditional cuisine.
However, 16 years ago UNESCO created a convention for the safeguard of intangible cultural heritage. This convention in art. 2 defines by Intangible Cultural Heritage “The uses, representations, expressions, knowledge and techniques together with the instruments, objects, artifacts and cultural spaces that are inherent to them that the communities, the groups and in some cases the individuals recognize as an integral part of theircultural heritage. This intangible cultural heritage, which is transmitted from generation to generation, is constantly recreated by communities based on their environment, their interaction with nature and history, infusing them with a feeling of identity and continuity and thus contributing to promoting respect for the respect of thecultural diversity and human creativity.”(UNESCO, 2003)
However, preserving intangible heritage does not mean conserving traditional cultures, as exotic elements of the past, but, on the contrary, recognizing the existence of internal dynamics of their own culture to integrate them into the contemporary world. That is why this convention has the following purposes: the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage, respect for the intangible cultural heritage of communities, groups and individuals in question, sensitization at the local, national and international level to the importance of the importance to the importanceof intangible cultural heritage and its reciprocal recognition and international cooperation and assistance.
conclusion
In conclusion, if the elimination of the identity elements of peoples and cultures continues around the world, it will generate a great loss of heritage by returning society a great monoculture, of kilometers and kilometers of equal human beings, where there is no more diversity, the differences and the roots that have always identified us. It is therefore important to ensure the subsistence and protection of our deepest, personal and characteristic cultural elements, at the same time in which we respect the rest. “Nothing more terrible for men and for peoples than not having a face, not having an image, not having that important part that defines us, that characterizes us, that allows us to identify and give us a distinctive seal before the other men and theother peoples ". (Galindo, 2009). Likewise, for our nation, losing those characteristics that make it unique to the world, since as time elapses, customs and traditions adapt to an increasingly homogeneous world. Among the strongest causes that have undoubtedly caused the loss of cultural identity in our country, there are colonialism and globalization, which, in their eagerness to obtain wealth and capital, are able to pass over an established culture. The great affected by this situation are the indigenous communities that still continue established, for the abandonment of the State, violence and our indifference to the great problems they suffer. The challenges offered by the present and the future are the understanding of the wealth of our diversity, and knowing how to face our differences, misunderstanding and intolerance that comes from the colonial system. For centuries we have instilled values and beliefs outside our culture, our rights have been violated and displacing our identity. It is true that we are a society of constant changes, but the indiscriminate form of exploitation of resources blurred our legacy
Leave feedback