3. To be or not to be perspectives of identity in motion Flashcards
define retraditionalisation
an upsurge of cultural identities or culturally
constituted groups such as traditional chiefdoms, in which identity is circumscribed in
terms of shared knowledge, meanings, values, behaviour and a characteristic way of life
that are unique to each of such groups
define culture
as the shared knowledge, meanings,
values and behaviour which are characteristic of a particular group of people
what factors gave rise to culture and cultural identities in post apartheid SA
there was a realisation by marginalised groups and minorities that claims for access and rights had a better chance of success if they were framed in terms of culture and difference than they would have if they were framed in the language of equal rights in political, juridical and social terms.
culture and cultural identities gained significance because racial and
cultural differences were used during South Africa’s colonial past as bases for social and political discrimination and oppression
flowing from the construction of difference in terms of race and culture, subjugated people, in turn, converted culture into a field of contestation and resistance during the liberation struggle, and more recently, also into a means of constructing new identities in South Africa
what points did Sharp make in his analysis regarding retraditionalisation
people are often captivated, if only briefly, by
a characterisation of themselves in terms of a cultural identity, especially when it is associated with apparent rights.
a representation of cultural identity and rights in such a way not only
imposes limitations but also offers benefits.
people are often locked into a single identity whereas, particularly under challenging conditions, they need the freedom to be flexible
the notion that clearly demarcated cultural identities have persisted
unchanged through to the present is generated not only by the people concerned, but also by their helpers and advisors,
people do, under certain circumstances, see themselves as part of one or another culture that is clearly demarcated, self-contained and harmonious, but they do not see themselves in this way only.
