Indian culture has a beautiful way of adapting
“A CULTURE is essentially the society’s composite answer to the varied problems of life,” said the late anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko.
Last week, South Africa marked 40 years since the death of Biko, a legendary freedomfighter.
His words echo the transformation of culture today, evident in the evolving Indian tradition in South Africa, which is constantly influenced by many factors, including Western culture.
People from India first stepped onto South African shores in the 1860s after long journeys on the Truro and Belvedere ships, to work as labourers or traders.
Those who travelled to South Africa were rich in their religion and culture, with many practising Hinduism, Christianity or Islam, and were fluent in an array of languages, including Hindi, Tamil, Bhojpuri, Urdu and Gujarati.
Fast-forward to South Africa in 2017 and one will find that the language of the greater Indian community is English, while vernacular languages are privately studied and used.
Languages that originated from India are occasionally offered as part of some school curriculum but are still a rarity, along with places of worship or places designated for cultural practices; possibly because such venues – like temples or mosques – were built on a smaller scale during the early days of Indians’ arrival from India as they were considered a minority group.
I celebrate culture through my work as an educator, where, apart from teaching the syllabus, I ensure that children are proud of their heritage; and through my work in media, specifically the medium of radio, in my time at Lotus FM and, currently, Hindvani. Both radio stations cater for the cultural needs of the local Indian community.
I found that as generations evolved, with their technology reaching out to all parts of the world, Western culture was further incorporated into Indian traditions, and the style of Eastern culture around me began to adapt to suit the needs of the new generation.
Languages, traditions, dress and food evolved.
Instead of puris and parathas (traditional Indian food), many opt for pasta and pancakes.
Casual wear means throwing on jeans and a shirt, while vibrant ethnic clothing is stored in the hard-to-reach cupboard for those special occasions.
But despite this stowing away of traditional clothing or the changing of flavours and digression from the mother tongue, our colourful Indian culture and traditional values are wonderfully kept alive by celebrating our heritage through art. Its strength is intensified in the beating of the dholak (drum) and the clanging of the majeera (cymbals).
Artistic expression, in the form of music and dance, still plays a pivotal role in the lives of a large part of the Indian community, and traditional art has garnered the attention of both adults and children.
And, while our culture in South Africa has adapted to our diverse surroundings, our heritage can be seen across the world. Indians have pride in being the founders of Sanskrit, the Vedas, yoga, spices, chess, Bollywood and the Kama Sutra, among many achievements.
India has made great strides in mathematics and astrology, with Mahatma Gandhi, a global icon, having spread the word of ahimsa (non-violence).
While globalisation is inevitable and important for development, we must not fail to realise our uniqueness and assure that it remains as such.
Gandhi said: “I do not want my house to be walled in on all sides and my windows to be stuffed. I want the culture of all lands to be blown about my house as freely as possible. But I refuse to be blown off my feet by any.”
This speaks to culture accommodating evolution but remaining steadfast in its core values.
Biko believed culture changes in accordance to societal needs.
Perhaps one of the greatest ways in which Indian culture sustains itself, despite being centuries old, is its ability to adapt to a changing environment while maintaining its core identity, much like a river that flows from the Himalayas sweeping across sand, pebbles and debris yet remaining steadfast and constant.