Cultural erasure refers to the act of removing or destroying aspects of a culture, such as traditions, customs, language, art, or literature, through forceful means like war, colonization, oppression, displacement, assimilation, etc. It can be seen in many forms - from the genocide of indigenous communities to the destruction of ancient artifacts and monuments to the forced adoption of foreign languages and religions. In contrast, collective remembering is the process of preserving and promoting cultural memory through various means, including storytelling, rituals, songs, dances, artworks, festivals, celebrations, ceremonies, and so on. The purpose of this article is to explore how collective remembering counters the violence of cultural erasure and helps maintain cultural identities and continuity in spite of external forces that threaten them.
Collective remembering involves individuals coming together to share their memories and experiences of their cultures and traditions. This creates a sense of community and belonging that strengthens the identity and cohesion of the group. By sharing stories about ancestors, heroes, myths, legends, historical events, and other elements of their history, they create a shared narrative that connects them with their past and present. This narrative provides a sense of pride and resilience, reminding them of who they are and where they come from. Moreover, it creates a sense of solidarity and unity among members of the group, enabling them to resist external threats to their culture.
When groups engage in collective remembering, they often reclaim their traditional names, symbols, and languages, which can help counteract efforts to suppress or replace these elements.
Collective remembering also serves as an act of resistance against oppressive forces. When people are subjected to colonization or other forms of imperialism, their culture is often seen as inferior or even barbaric, leading to attempts to destroy it completely. Collective remembering allows them to preserve their heritage despite such attacks by reaffirming its value and significance. It enables them to maintain a sense of self-esteem and dignity even in the face of adversity, making it more difficult for outsiders to impose their own values on them.
Indigenous communities have used collective remembering as a tool for preserving their languages and customs in the face of attempts to assimilate them into mainstream society.
Collective remembering helps individuals cope with trauma and heal from past wounds caused by violence. In many cases, cultures suffer significant loss due to war, displacement, or genocide. By sharing memories and experiences, they can process their grief and pain and find solace in knowing that others share similar stories. This can lead to greater resilience and strength, allowing them to move forward and build new lives while still holding onto cherished aspects of their past. Collective remembering can also serve as a form of activism, raising awareness about historical injustices and inspiring action to prevent further violence and oppression.
Collective remembering plays a crucial role in counteracting the violence of cultural erasure by creating a shared identity, promoting resilience, resisting oppression, and facilitating healing. Through this process, members of a group come together to create a narrative that connects them with their history and culture, enabling them to survive and thrive despite external threats.
How does collective remembering counteract the violence of cultural erasure?
Collective remembering is an important means for communities to resist the violence of cultural erasure by preserving their history, culture, traditions, and values. It allows individuals to connect with each other through shared experiences, beliefs, and memories, thereby reinforcing their sense of identity and belonging. By remembering and commemorating significant events and figures from their past, they can affirm their unique heritage and reaffirm their position within it.