Overview
This lecture covers the importance of oral tradition in preserving cultural values, contrasts it with literary tradition, and discusses roles, challenges, and solutions related to sharing and sustaining traditions.
Author Background
- Frank LaPena wrote "Sharing and Tradition."
- He was born in 1937 in San Francisco, California, USA, and passed away in 2019.
- He attended Federal Indian Boarding School and earned degrees in Arts and Anthropology.
Summary of the Text
- Elderly people are key sources of traditional values, knowledge, and culture.
- Modern lifestyles and technology reduce young people's engagement with these traditions.
- Traditions are preserved through cultural activities like songs, dances, stories, and festivals.
Oral vs. Literary Tradition
- Oral tradition preserves and transmits culture and values verbally from generation to generation.
- Mistakes in oral tradition can be corrected immediately; literary tradition is harder to amend since it is printed.
- Literary tradition involves written and printed information transmission, making corrections difficult.
Importance and Preservation of Oral Tradition
- Oral tradition helps uphold cultural identity and values across generations.
- Both elders and young people must take responsibility for maintaining oral traditions.
- Failure to pass on tradition can lead to cultural extinction and loss of identity.
- The process of oral sharing is described as an art form involving both speaker (elder) and listener (youth).
Challenges and Solutions
- Challenges include the declining number of elders, technology influence, modern education, and identifying reliable information sources.
- Elders and youth must work together, trust each other, and share accurate information to overcome challenges.
Personal Attitudes and Actions
- Oral tradition is valued for preserving culture and identity.
- Ways to preserve traditions include organizing community events, spreading awareness, and celebrating cultural ceremonies.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Oral tradition — the verbal transmission of cultural values and knowledge from one generation to the next.
- Literary tradition — the written or printed passing down of information, culture, and values.
- Extinct — when traditions or cultures disappear and are no longer practiced.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review glossary and summary provided in the unit.
- Write a paragraph on the importance of oral tradition.
- List personal actions to preserve cultural traditions in your own life.