Should India go back to its cultural roots?
No. It shouldn't GO BACK. Because people do not have the correct idea of what the old cultural roots infer. Being a girl, I would never want to go back to a whole social and culture environment where social evils like Dudhpiti, Sati, Bal-vivaah and many more were NOT a shameful part. But I deny to adapt to the new trending culture at the cost of losing our moral values. Here is something that I recently answered and that serves my purpose to this question:[Source: Shubhangi Sharma's answer to Is Indian culture degrading by following the West?]Adapting to foreign customs, when it comes to globalization and development, seems legit to me. But when we are talking about the social culture. I would like to believe that adapting to western culture is acceptable only and only until it doesn't degrade our morals, which happens in most cases.We have to understand that creating a broad mind for the society is totally different than creating a morally low foundation for the upcoming generation. The whole concept of 'Modernization' or 'Westernization' is misunderstood by most Indians and they fail to realize that the idea doesn't imply to setting yourself ethically down just because others are doing or because it is "your choice". So considering this outlook, I would say Yes, we are degrading.And I see that the topics like Homosexuality have been mentioned in a comment to the question. Well, I believe that the notion of homosexuality is indeed a choice and not culture. It is something that doesn't deserve to be frowned upon.All I would say is...Going back to cultural roots- Bad IdeaDegrading with the modern culture- Bad IdeaSticking to the Morals of cultural roots and still upgrading with some modern trends- The Best Thanks for A2A
Is India losing its culture and tradition?
I would be laughed at for following some of the Indian cultures. Not everyone does that but some do.Some people laugh at me when they see me with a dhoti.Some people laugh at me if they see me eat in a banana leaf.Some people laugh at me for reading some great old books like Bhagavat Gita, thirukural and so on.Some people laugh at me if they see me coming around tulasi plant every morning.Why should I eat with spoons just because it's a high class restaurant? I'll eat with my hands if I don't feel like eating with spoons.We brush our teeth with chemical toothpaste instead of natural neem sticks.If you're laughing at a person who is doing the above 6 points, then yeah - India is losing its culture and it's tradition.
What does it mean to "embrace your black culture?" what is exactly black culture?
dude nobody could sit here and explain the entire meaning of the African American culture...and do it in a just manner. and if someone does...then they're are summitizing a very precious culture that deserves to hve every detail explained. therefore I'd suggest an African American history class... u will look at u.s. history entirely differently. I did. I took the class last year and in IB/AP...and b4 then I'd never known many of those things. I would sum it up as enlightening. toodles!
Has the loss of Caucasian cultural identity caused them to seek out and adopt cultures outside there own?
I find your question somewhat interesting...the reality is that following the major mass migration of Europeans in the 1900s, there was a strong pull by earlier generation of European Americans to promote cultural assimilation into the "New World". Due to this social and cultural shift, many families were pressured to refrain from exercising the pastimes of their heritage in order to fit in. Since that time, 'white culture' has failed to amount to any particular brand of identity...moreover, most white people do not feel a strong sense of cultural connection with their ancestral roots due to the time and geographically-based separation from the 'Old World'...thus, it's not surprising that you see white persons who attempt to associate themselves with other cultures...I don't believe it is a form of mimicry or demonstrations of fetishes...rather, they are trying to develop their own form of cultural identity in order to feel a sense of universal understanding that other groups have been able to benefit from.
What is the Maori Haka dance's cultural significance and roots and when is it performed today?
Wikipedia has a very good article on the HakaThe Haka holds a very special place in not only Maori culture but in NZ's culture overall. I don't think there's an indigenous custom that is so ingrained into the psyche of an entire nation.Most of us, Pakeha (caucasion), Maori and otherwise are tought the Haka in school and most schools have intra-school Haka competitions (i.e. house versus house).Not every Haka is the same - like waiata (songs) there is a variety of Haka, which includes lyrics and actions.The Haka has its orgins in battle, but you will find that just about every momentus event that involves Kiwis (including the start of a All Black rugby match, the winning of a gold medal at the Olympics and, yes, sometimes at weddings) is punctuated by a rousing Haka.The Haka holds a very deep cultural significance for Maori. It is taoanga, or treasure. As such it does get bastardised and exploited a bit, but generally New Zealanders are becoming more respectful to tikanga (culture, custom, etiquette) and, apart from the odd druken haka performed by travelling Kiwi's, we are generally careful to respect this unqiue and beautiful tradition.If you travel to New Zealand then there are plenty of excellent, often Maori-owned, attractions where you can experience the Haka and other elements of what is a very beautiful culture.
Are Black Americans ashamed of their African heritage?
It is not that African Americans are any quicker in embracing their Native American or European heritage more than say Caucasian Americans are - Americans of every persuasion (especially who took part in building America) have a tendency to embrace the nuances of their multiculturalism. When Africans were first bought to the New World, they came from many different tribes and cultures within Africa which we eventually lost memory of. Most modern Africans do not even identify with us. Only recently from doing DNA tests did I find out that on my father's side we originated from the Igbo tribe in Nigeria and my mother's side was East African in origin. On both sides we have Cree, Choctaw, and Cherokee because my African ancestors married them. I even have a Chinese ancestor who had lived and worked the cotton fields of Mississippi. African Americans have a rich and varied ethnicity and there is no reason that we cannot celebrate it as much as anyone.
Is it true that the Tamils have African roots?
Tamils is a very generic term to describe Tamil people. There are different kinds of people who speak Tamil. There are Tamil Brahmins, there are Tamil Muslims. There are even Tamil Jains. So Tamil people are hardly one group for us to talk about their roots.But if you mean Early Tamil Dravidian People. Then yes, Early Tamil Dravidian People (not Tamil Brahmins or Kshatriyas whatsoever) have African roots.Dravidians and AfricansSo yes, in roots you could say a majority Tamil people today have African roots (barring Tamil Brahmins and Kshatriyas).Even racially Dravidians, or rather pure Dravidian groups are classified racially as Australoid or sometimes as Negroid. There is still confusion on whether Dravidians are Australoids or Negroids.But in essence yes. They do African roots. Genetics are a clear proof.