Memory and heritage are crucial to an individual when he or she is trying to self identify themselves, as well as figuring out what culture and practices to abide by. Individuals make decisions today based on what happened in the past. The recollection of memory can have an impact on the way an individual perceives their heritage, along as other cultures and heritages. It is important that an individual hold memories of the past in order to have an understanding of the world they come from, traditional practices, cultural values, history of their country, etc. Heritage of a culture, or nation, must be expressed through tangible and non-tangible customs, and such, in order to for people to remember it. If heritage is expressed and is aspects of it are exercised by those individuals inheriting the heritage, it will prevail and make it difficult for it to be forgotten.
Throughout history there have been many ways heritage has been expressed. In the past we have seen heritage presented to the world in monuments, murals, buildings, archaeological remains, landscapes, artefacts, etc. In addition, heritage has also been represented in a intangible manner through practices, lifestyle within a community, values, beliefs, language and speech, etc. These are all important factors for the community of heritages, although in some communities, tangible objects are emphasized more than intangible ones, and vice versa. The preference of tangible or intangible heritage is due to what the community feels best represents their heritage. In addition, emphasis is set around the aspects that are most important to the heritage that will help the community remind them of their culture. For instance, when the Buddhas of Bamiyan in Afghanistan were destroyed by the Taliban, the Buddhist community was not impacted much because they believed intangible heritage was more important. They believed that material objects come and go in life, unlike intangible heritage that can be in existence forever if practiced and exercised. In this case, the Buddhist community focused more on what was harder to destroy, which was also what held most importance and value to the heritage of the community.
Just as there are communities who embody their heritages around intangible ideals, there are also communities who choose to remember their heritages through tangible objects. An example of a nation, whose heritage is portrayed in buildings, and such, is Mexico. Mexico has a lot of buildings, architectural remains, pyramids, etc. that remind people of their heritage. One site specifically, which is also a cultural world heritage site, is the Central University City Campus of UNAM. On the outside of the buildings of the Central University City Campus, there are murals that express Mexican heritage. The people of Mexico are constantly reminded of their values, history, practices, etc. through the expression of them on the buildings. This helps the citizens of Mexico recollect memory of the events, practices, values, amongst others, that shape their heritage. In conclusion, it is important that every culture is reminded of their heritage, either intangible or tangible, and express it in order for there to not be a loss of their heritage.
I really enjoyed this article and found the opening paragraph discussing memory to be quite interesting. “Memory and heritage are crucial to an individual when he or she is trying to self identify themselves, as well as figuring out what culture and practices to abide by.” I do believe that it is through memory and heritage in which we are able to continue to respect our past ancestry.
This article was really informative and an interesting read, the opening paragraph alone caught my interest. I think most individuals don’t realize that learning from the past and our memories can help us learn about our future
Your article focuses on a point about tangible and intangible customs. I believe your right that in order for self identity we have to look to our past to learn about our history because that can reflect onto our future.
I really enjoyed how you went in great detail on heritage and how its been expressed through many years and incorporated tangible and intangible ideas. your article was very informative and put together well.
I agree that memory and heritage is important to our self-identity. I know from personal experience that knowing where your parents come from really builds on who you are. I also found your post to be very informative and intriguing.
Your post was very straight forward and easy to read. I also agree with how memory and heritage tangible or intangible is important to our identity. I thought your examples were perfect in how others relate architecture (tangible heritage) to their identity. Great post !
I found your post intresting and informative. I agree with you when you mention that “The recollection of memory can have an impact on the way an individual perceives their heritage” because past experience influence how you think.
Like the other posts about memory and its impact on the development of heritage I believe it was well written and straight to the point. We all need to remember that the past can easily repeat itself so we are better off learning the first time from our ancestors!
It is important to learn from the mistakes of our ancestors, even though it might not be the same events but the actions are similar. Very interesting read.
Interesting read! The most intriguing quote I can take from your post is “Individuals make decisions today based on what happened in the past.” One can only hope that people also avoid making the same mistakes as people in the past.