Bodily memory is an important tool for cultural transmission, especially in communities that have been marginalized and excluded from mainstream history. Through the act of remembering, bodies preserve their own histories and resist being written out of dominant narratives. In this essay, I will explore how bodily memory serves as a site of historical preservation, knowledge transmission, and queer resistance.
Historical preservation
Historical preservation involves keeping records of past events and experiences to understand and contextualize them within the present. Bodily memory plays a crucial role in this process because it allows people to remember and transmit the stories and practices of their ancestors.
Indigenous tribes in North America have passed down oral traditions through generations using songs, dances, ceremonies, and other physical activities. These practices are often centered around spirituality and connection to the land, which helps to reinforce community identity and foster resilience against oppression.
LGBTQ+ individuals have used physical memories to resist erasure from heteronormative societies. Many of these groups have developed secret codes, gestures, and behaviors that signal their sexual orientation without explicitly saying so. This has allowed them to remain hidden while still expressing themselves openly. In addition, queer communities have created alternative archives like drag performances, burlesque shows, and dance clubs to preserve their history outside of official institutions. By passing on these traditions through touch and movement, they create new ways of knowing and understanding their collective experience.
Knowledge transmission
Knowledge transmission refers to the way information is shared between individuals and across generations. Bodily memory is particularly important for transmitting embodied knowledge such as dance, martial arts, and manual skills.
Many African American communities have preserved their cultural heritage through call-and-response singing, clapping games, and other physical activities. These rituals help to pass down not only practical skills but also emotional bonds and cultural values. Similarly, tattoos can serve as a form of bodily memory by preserving historical narratives and symbolism on the skin.
Bodily memory is also crucial for understanding trauma and healing. People who have experienced violence or abuse may find it difficult to verbalize their experiences, but they can often access memories through sensory cues like smells, tastes, or textures. By working with therapists or loved ones, they can process their pain using physical exercises and meditation techniques. This allows them to reclaim agency over their bodies and build resilience against future harm.
Queer resistance
Bodily memory serves as an act of resistance in queer communities. It challenges dominant narratives that erase LGBTQ+ identities and experiences while creating spaces for self-expression and connection. Through drag shows, burlesque performances, and other forms of body art, queer people assert their right to be seen and heard. They use their bodies to express joy, playfulness, and defiance in a society that often seeks to silence them.
Sex workers have used their bodies to resist criminalization and discrimination by offering services that challenge heteronormative ideas about gender and sexuality.
Bodily memory is a powerful tool for cultural transmission, knowledge transmission, and queer resistance. By remembering and transmitting embodied practices, marginalized communities can preserve their histories and build new ways of knowing. These acts of resistance highlight the importance of physical expression and create space for self-love and pride in a world that often devalues these qualities.
How does bodily memory serve as a site of historical preservation, knowledge transmission, and queer resistance?
Bodily memory is a form of memorialization that allows individuals to preserve their personal histories through physical movements and sensory experiences. It can also be used to transmit knowledge from one generation to another by passing down traditional dances, rituals, and practices. Bodily memory has been especially important for LGBTQ+ people who have often had their history erased or suppressed due to homophobia and transphobia.