The pearl of the Indian Ocean Sri Lanka, reflects a long history of its nations. From the archeological evidence of the prehistoric settlements and prehistoric human Balangoda man (Deraniyagala, 1998) to modern food of kottu like pizza to American; make the broad diversity of culture in Sir Lanka. By analyzing cultural heritage definition in Sinhala language, the definition given in the legislations in 1940, and its relationship with Athens charter and 1954 UNESCO convention, I will demonstrate the cultural heritage vision imbedded in the society through legal definition. Also, I will offer criticisms and recommendations for an improved approach to the definition of cultural heritage in Sri Lanka in broader context.
According to the Sinhala language,”Sanskruthika Urumayan” word reflects the translated form of the English word cultural heritage. The word “Sanskruthiya” means culture and “Urumayan” means both tangible and intangible remaining forms from the past to the present. Considering the legislation definition I have chosen to define cultural heritage according to laws of Sri Lanka, it is important to see the period of its origin. Sri Lanka, which named as Ceylon was colonized by British throne, from early of 1830s to 1945 February 4th Independence Day (citation). Therefore, the following legislation document of Sri Lanka was developed in 1940 under the colonial ruling before the independence and the word referred to cultural heritage is antiquities. According to the 1940 Antiquities Ordinance of Ceylon, it recognize any monuments that lying, being or found in the (Ceylon) Sri Lanka as the ancient monuments if they are dated before 1815. Also, it had defined a monument as,”temple, church, monument, other structure or erecti...
... middle of paper ...
...ity in the culture heritage these aspects need to be include. The inclusion of trees in the materialist antiquates system base on the historical aspect needs to change according to the Sri Lankan belief system. Because considering the belief context in Sri Lanka especially Buddhists have historically and spiritually important trees such as Sir Maha Bhodiya (sacred symbol of Buddha) which was planted in 3rd century BC (UNESCO World Heritage convention). Therefore, the inclusions of such heritages like nature should accept spiritual values. Further, it should expand to all ethnic groups in Sri Lanka .Even though the definition does not specify separate ethnic groups to have diversity in the country need to identify heritages of different nationalities in Sri Lanka. Also, the theme of property need to changes because value of each heritage cannot be taken to a scale.
As we studied in lecture, the culture of a particular community is meaningful only when we study them in their context. If we study them outside of the context, they do not have any cultural value or meaning. The culture of Srilankan Tamils contains many traditions and customs. Customs and rituals have been part of the society from generation to generation and some are relatively new. Most of these customs are connected with everyday life for most people in the social and religious circle and they are considered desirable and constructive. I would like to discuss some of the course readings such as Adam Ashforth’s Madumo: A man Bewitched, Durham Deborah’s Soliciting Gifts and Negotiating Agency, Evan Pritchard’s The notion of witchcraft explains unfortunate events, Rosaldo Renato’s Grief and a headhunter’s rage and Geertz Clifford’s Deep play.
For years on end, countries have been fighting with big museums from other countries for ancient artifacts that belong to the original countries. The argument of whether or not the museums should be able to keep them still remains. It is the right of the country to have their own artifacts. It is imperative for countries to be able showcase their historical artifacts, therefor museums should return them to their rightful owners.
Charles F. Bryan, Jr., “State Historical Agencies, Museums, and Societies: A Constant State of Change,” in James B. Gardner & Peter S. LaPaglia, Public History: Essays from the Field (Malabar, Florida, 2006), 295-306
Stratton, E. (2002). The evolution of Indian stupa architecture in east Asia. New Delhi: Vedams.
The antiquities market is a system that has always been met with resistance, especially among those within the scholarly community of archaeologists. Many archaeologists and scholars have argued against this market, stating that it is a detriment to archaeology. On the other side, those in favor of this market have provided reasons to show why they believe it to be a solid system. Both sides have their merit in regards to this controversial issue. However, when looking at the antiquities market as a whole, it has shown to be an effective system that can actually work hand in hand with the scholarly community, rather than against it. The key takeaway from the antiquities market is that it helps to preserve the past, something which all archaeologists strive to achieve.
Historic districts have evolved from the preserving a single house at a time, to the preserving of districts and neighborhoods. This practice eventually led up to the comprehensive application of the discipline. Historic Preservation came from a special place, a place that helps us to remember our history.
Heritage consistency is a concept developed by Estes and Zitzow (1980, p. 1) to describe “the degree to which one’s lifestyle reflects his or her respective tribal culture”. The attempt is to study the degree to which a person’s lifestyle reflects his or her traditional culture, such as European, Asian, African, or Hispanic. Culture is a way through which we express ourselves. It is the sum of beliefs, practices, habits, likes, dislikes, norms, customs, rituals, and so forth that we learned from our families during the years of socialization (Spector, 2009, p. 9-11). Indian culture is very unique and diverse. Health traditions in India have its roots from the history.
Studying, working, cooking food, caring babies, caring parents, meeting friends…Someone might decide that there is no place for heritage in it and cultural enrichment only has to do with our 2-weeks vacation once a year. But heritage is not static. It is not something available only during travelling. Heritage is all around us: in the receipt of our grandmother’s traditional cookies; in our grandfather’s unusual words, which are disappearing in the modern language; in the way we do gymnastics to avoid health problems in the future…Heritage is not only about gazing, it is about feeling.
The debate over cultural properties is one that has continued since the beginning of archaeological discovery. Who owns the past, or has the right to preserve cultural remains, are questions that drive this debate and cause controversy among societies. (Messenger) The way that cultural artifacts are obtained have the most uproar among the archaeological society. Collectors and looters are the source of this issue and have been discredited by many archaeological societies.
Globalization has eminently affected the local culture & ethnicity, customs, traditions, handcrafts and folklores in adverse result. The rate of dynamism in cultures has accelerated over the years. This trend continues at a higher rate than it used to be. This effect deeply and greatly affects the thinking and altitudes of the locals, towards the conservation of the very tangible and intangible heritage that contacts and sustain cultural tourism. Hence, the challenge is how to sustain the tourism in this globalized world.
Sri Nandanandana, “Preaching in India’s Northeast For Cultural Preservation” VaiShnava News February 21, 2003; Retrieved information Dec. 9,2003 http://www.vnn.org/world/WD0302/WD21-7837.html
In the following essay, I will be comparing and contrasting to architectural pieces by the Indians. The first is the Taj Mahal, a building constructed from white marble that took seventeen years to build in honor of Shah Jahan’s wife, Mumtaz Mahal (Z. Haq). This piece of architectural beauty belonged to the Mughal’s, the Muslim emperors in India (Z. Haq). The second is the Great Stupa at Sanchi, a holy, dome shaped structure that covers the body of the Buddha in honor of him and his contributions to Buddhism (Fischer, Julia). Furthermore, this structure was made of ruins, rocks, mud, and covered in bricks (Fischer, Julia). Both pieces of architecture are significant to the Indians, however they do contrast in some ways.
Museum defines as an institution housing collections of objects of artistic, historic, or scientific interest conserved and displayed for the educational and enjoyment of the public. Museums are places of memory that provides the link of distant past to the present generation which also help the society to know the path their forebears trod. The main purpose of museum is neither to educate nor entertain but rather creates a memory bank would remind us of the past. No wonder most societies in different parts of the world traced their origin through the works of arts history. There are many types of museum includes museum of Antiquities-in which are housed ancient pieces of furniture or objects of art such as sculptures, paintings, ceramics, textiles and other crafts. Public record office museum serving as collection centre for famous documents, War museum containing relics of national wars, Maritime museum for maritime history, museum for architecture, with types, structures and styles of building, etc., Museum for Local/Indigenous Technologies, Science Museum, with objects depicting history of science and engineering and Natural History Museum. However, all types of these have their own roles of information institutions in national development. The main roles are to identify, acquire, preserve, and exhibit unique, collectible, or representative objects. The role of museum in the life of a nation involves conducting research into the vast natural history heritage and biodiversity of the country, serving as a repository, of natural objects, source materials and taxonomists in that country, creating scientific awareness, on natural history resources of the nation through annotated exhibitions for public enlightenment in display ga...
...troversy as all countries have lost, to a great or lesser extent, treasures of national renown and significance over time. Wars, theft, treasure seeking, changing boundaries and migration have all in some way contributed to this diaspora of art. There is clear evidence that the historic placing of objects in locations remote from their origin has on occasion afforded protection and preservation, The Elgin Marbles in The British Museum being a case in point. However, given the overarching principle of self determination it is difficult to argue that serendipitous historic placement is sufficient reason for items of true national heritage to be kept indefinitely. A world-wide system of touring exhibitions and cultural exchange, with context being provided by the originating society may provide the natural progression to the accessible widening of people’s experiences.
Pandey, T. N., 2014. Lecture 1/9/14: Culture of India: Aryan and Indigenous Population. Cultures of India. U.C. Santa Cruz.