Traditional invention

Author: E. H. Hobsbawm
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-03-01
Features: The core argument of this book is that many of the traditions currently cherished by Europeans can be traced back at most to the late 19th century. Phenomena like Scottish tartan or the extravagance of the British monarchy are far less ancient than legends suggest—they can only be traced to the Victorian era. More interestingly, many celebrated traditions are actually imports. Even so, what is the significance of this discovery about the "truth of legends"? Will it make us no longer cherish our traditions? No. Traditions are not all truth, of course. Many traditions do indeed contain elements of falsehood, but repetition and constant retelling make them precious and. The key is not that they were once lies, but the process by which they transformed into legends. This book consists of six case studies, examining Welsh national costume, Scottish literary reinvention, the evolution of British royal rituals, changes in Indian ceremonial practices under British rule, the imitation of British middle-class lifestyles by African peoples, and the changes in national holidays and popular culture in the UK, France, and Germany between 1870 and 1914. Using detailed materials and vivid narratives, the author reveals to us that traditions are not unchanging relics passed down from antiquity, but rather living creations of contemporary people.