Why isn’t Canadian culture as ethnic as say French or Mexican?
November 162009
Like Braziliian = Bossa Nova, beach umbrellas, Carnaval, very distinct culture, Samba drums, traditional holidays, tropical paradise
Italy – Wine, villages, family-oriented, food, music, folklore, all tie into a sort of culture distinctly identified when one hears or tastes of it
French – Very romantic, pastries, art, film all tie into a culture
Tex-Mex, Latin, West African cuisine and ornaments, many of these speak for themselves.
But when it comes to these countries (Canada, US, modern UK, Netherlands, modern Australia, even modern China, it is more subtle and not so clear where the folk culture has evolved).
Scandinavian folk culture is something of a much older agricultural generation in days of crafts, basket-weaving, fiddle, wooden churches. Today’s Scandinavian culture is not that folksy, except in the older population. Today’s Scandinavians are influenced by globalization.
Scottish highland culture best preserved in the Canadian Maritimes is also more prevalent among older aged people. Today it is not so much anymore, today most of the music and food is globalized.
Australia, once known for Bushmen and sheep herding is now becoming globalized 1st world. Or should I say, Americanized.
The most folksy parts of Canada would be Islands in the Maritimes, Inuit villages in the north, towns in Quebec, but the rest of Canada is much more difficult to slice and dice. And even what is heard of Quebec culture is disappearing, just the spoken language is there.
Why isn’t Canada on its own terms an ethnic creation in itself and why are the ethnic immigration cultures losing their vibrance?
Is it possible that in Democracy and the society we opt for in this day and age, we are losing something? That other forms of government enabled a higher level of ethnic vibrance than a free society can make possible?
That perhaps the greatness of not living in a monarchy, but a free democracy where you can do anything you please if you have money, comes with a cultural price that people of years ago were aware of, and we today have forgotten?
or possibly local nations offer something more unique when they do not trade freely with their neighbours but rather build their own way of life from scratch?
Globalization is changing everything. It is fortunate time travel is impossible, because then we too would have NO history of renaissance, medieval, baroque, classical, all that would be globalized to be modern modern modern McDonaldsy-Coca-Cola-eee
The history of Canada and the USA does not go back as far as other countries. They are populated by immigrants and migrants – even the indians migrated here from Asia, which genetic markers have proven.
Canada and the USA did not have primitive or aboriginal roots – when people immigrated here the world was already industrialized or entering the industrial age and that knowledge was transported with them.
There are pockets of cultural or ethnic ancestory throughout Canada, areas that are predominantly French, Scandinavian, Russian, British etc and these ancestorial cultural traditions have survived in these areas. Most of these communities were agricultural and the traditions and culture that developed in Canada is uniquely Canadian as well, given the geographical differences.
Canada is also not a "melting pot" like the USA is and people celebrate cultural differences and ethnic origins in Canada and are not forced to assimilate –
There are traditions and a culture that are uniquely Canadian but which most "outsiders" just arent aware of.
You seem to equate culture with geography and celebration which is only a very small part of the day to day life in these countries you mention.
Also some of what you say isnt true, you cannot walk down the street anywhere in China without being aware of the history and culture. While China is a very modern country the history and culture that is unique to the country has survived and influences everything. Obviously the people have to evolve to adapt to the global economy and society they live in, but to assume that means their culture dissapears is completely false.
McDonalds, Coca Cola and Mickey Mouse are NOT part of what I consider my Cdn culture, again you are imposing American opinion on other countries. They could all dissapear forever and it wouldnt be a blip on the world and country I live in.
In addition you assume technology and common items used in modern society were invented and developed by Americans. In fact this is not true, most of what you use in your everyday life, from the phone, to tv, computer, jets, and even garbage bags were ALL invented by Canadians. In reality very little of modern technology was invented by Americans.
Even basketball, baseball and hockey are all Cdn.
Therefore it would be the "Canadianization" of the world, not the "Americanization" of the world.
And that is another unique thing about Canadian culture – we KNOW who invented what and contributed what, we dont assume everything is American — or that the USA dictates how we and other countries live — we know better.
November 17th, 2009 at 3:42 am
Well, the sad truth is that most people in the world have become obsessed with American culture and modern conveniances.
I think every country still has strong ethnic characteristics though, and there are still a few places where American influence hasn’t quite yet reached. We still have diverse cultures, languages, ways of thinking, and ways of doing things.
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November 17th, 2009 at 4:06 am
You have to remember that, even before Canada became a country, our country was, and still is, based mainly on the primary industries. Remember: coaling towns et al are not usually filled with rich and vibrant culture.
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November 17th, 2009 at 4:27 am
The history of Canada and the USA does not go back as far as other countries. They are populated by immigrants and migrants – even the indians migrated here from Asia, which genetic markers have proven.
Canada and the USA did not have primitive or aboriginal roots – when people immigrated here the world was already industrialized or entering the industrial age and that knowledge was transported with them.
There are pockets of cultural or ethnic ancestory throughout Canada, areas that are predominantly French, Scandinavian, Russian, British etc and these ancestorial cultural traditions have survived in these areas. Most of these communities were agricultural and the traditions and culture that developed in Canada is uniquely Canadian as well, given the geographical differences.
Canada is also not a "melting pot" like the USA is and people celebrate cultural differences and ethnic origins in Canada and are not forced to assimilate –
There are traditions and a culture that are uniquely Canadian but which most "outsiders" just arent aware of.
You seem to equate culture with geography and celebration which is only a very small part of the day to day life in these countries you mention.
Also some of what you say isnt true, you cannot walk down the street anywhere in China without being aware of the history and culture. While China is a very modern country the history and culture that is unique to the country has survived and influences everything. Obviously the people have to evolve to adapt to the global economy and society they live in, but to assume that means their culture dissapears is completely false.
McDonalds, Coca Cola and Mickey Mouse are NOT part of what I consider my Cdn culture, again you are imposing American opinion on other countries. They could all dissapear forever and it wouldnt be a blip on the world and country I live in.
In addition you assume technology and common items used in modern society were invented and developed by Americans. In fact this is not true, most of what you use in your everyday life, from the phone, to tv, computer, jets, and even garbage bags were ALL invented by Canadians. In reality very little of modern technology was invented by Americans.
Even basketball, baseball and hockey are all Cdn.
Therefore it would be the "Canadianization" of the world, not the "Americanization" of the world.
And that is another unique thing about Canadian culture – we KNOW who invented what and contributed what, we dont assume everything is American — or that the USA dictates how we and other countries live — we know better.
References :
November 17th, 2009 at 5:08 am
There isn’t a Canadian culture besides hockey, Timmy’s and praising the glorious achievements of the socialist state. There are regional cultures. Most people identify more with their city or province than Canada as a whole. Which makes sense since Canada as we know it has only existed since 1949 when Newfoundland joined. And before that British Columbia only joined because they were promised a rail link. And before that the government bought most of the country from the Hudson’s Bay Company. The country exists for financial convenience.
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