Even though every generation connects itself to the place of birth or residence, everyone’s roots go deep into the past. There has been so much mixing of blood that it has become impossible to trace the origins of humanity. It is also unclear what type of blood is predominant in a person and what genetic material has the most influence on individuality and behavior.
My present life is very much affected by the surrounding environment. My background goes far back through Indian culture but the modern world and location has its influence as well. The traditions and unique setting of the United States of America allows for freedom of culture, speech and beliefs. This is a great addition to any race and background because people can practice their religion, keep their traditions and still be a part of the society.
The younger the generation, the easier it becomes to get used to the world that is around and so, the transition into the new population and culture is almost unnoticeable. My background is Indian since my parents are from India, their parents and so on. The generation line can be traced all the way to 400 A.D., if not further. Everyone in the family has had a life full of honor and belief into the great power and God which guides all people.
Relatives have told stories of the old times when the world was a very different place. People used to enjoy simple things in life. There were no TVs, computers, internet or other forms of technological advancements that are so easily available today. Especially Indian culture had a close connection to nature and the forces that make everything the way it is.
I think it is much more beneficial for people to be closely tied with the Earth because it is important to care for it and live in balance. When people take care of the surrounding environment, they are also healthier themselves and this has been one of the key goals of our family.
It is a very good thing that there are many communities in the United States that share the same views and outlook on life because it is very valuable to remember the ancestors and respect the origins of the family tree.
Our family is one of many that have kept the knowledge of traditions and particularly, the qualities and usage of a plant called Turmeric. It is a very ancient plant that is related to ginger but can be used for many purposes. It originated some time before 500 A.D. and was used by Indian and Asian population for a long time. There are several ways of preparing the plant, as it can be boiled, dried or left in its fresh condition.
It can be added to food because it is a little spicy and has somewhat bitter taste that can be compared to mustard or other similar spices. Sometimes, it was used in sweet dishes to give them a distinct taste and add flavor. This requires drying and chopping the plant. In other instances, it is used in a leaf form, for wrapping foods or just as a leafy-salad mixture.
When it was being exported to places outside of Asia, it found many other uses and people have been adding Turmeric powder for coloring to many different cakes, yogurt, ice cream, juices and a large number of other food that are sweet and need an appealing and bright coloring. There are other recopies that have fresh part of Turmeric and use it for conservation and pickling.
A very important way that the plant was used for thousands of years is for ceremonies and rituals. The modern-day India has kept the tradition for its presence during the sacred activities and is used in various forms. A long time ago, it was an ingredient to make a yellow color for the robes of monks and other significant figures. It was very much connected to the sun and the power that was received through its presence.
It was also used for coloring the bodies of people that participated in the ceremonies, specifically in the wedding ones or for bettering the relations between two people. For the longest time, people of India have been making amulets and necklaces that had spiritual and healing powers. But the most significant and valuable property of Turmeric is its medicinal properties (Kulasresthav, 2006).
Starting many thousands of years ago there were no medicines or drugs as there are today. People relied on nature and it provided all the necessary plants that would help from many illnesses. Turmeric was one of such plants and is thought to be one of the oldest medical plants, dating back before 100 A.D. One of the qualities of the medicine made from the plant is that it helps to heal wounds.
It was applied on any cuts or scrapes that people had and the process would go through much faster. It was very useful in killing any bacteria, even some that have problems with treatment in the modern world. In the present time, Turmeric is being farmed for export to countries like Great Britain, Europe and the United States.
It is interesting to note that people have not forgotten the medical qualities of the plant and by some statistics, “during the year 1991-92, it occupied an area of 1.17 lakh hectares with total production of 3.49 lakh tones which accounted for nearly 90 per cent of the world Turmeric production” (Prasad, 2000). There are many places in India where it grows and people pay great care and respect to the plant.
It is also thought to be one of the most important images of Indian life and culture. This has been a part of the family tradition from the beginning of Indian history and because it is used today, the significance and memory, as well as honor are an important piece of the relationship between Indian culture and Turmeric.
The Asian part of the world is considered to be one of the oldest civilized regions and India is among the populations and cultures that trace back thousands of years. The use of plants in the ceremonies, traditions and religious beliefs have all been around for a long time. India is thought to be one of the most diverse places in the world, where people are closely related but at the same time, practice many types of religions.
Religions such as Buddhism, Hinduism, and Sikhism are one of the most important ones but there is also Islam, Christianity, Judaism and several others. This shows that people can find unity among many others and that religious belief can co-exist in peace. In the end, it does not matter what people believe, as long as they respect each other and find kindness to help those in need.
But even though Indian culture is one of the oldest and most secluded, the modernized world and globalization have had their influence. People are becoming more demanding of their freedom and personal rights. Many acknowledge that oldest traditions and beliefs will not be affected by the changes in the present world and it is easy to see through Indians in the United States.
People have stayed true to their roots and Indian communities are proof of this. The oldest festivals that were practiced in ancient times still exist in the hearts and minds of Indian people all over the world. The close connection between plants and cuisine that is dominant today can be traced back to the beginning of time. It has been so good and healthy that it has become known all over the world.
It is very important that a part of India and its heritage are brought over to all countries and people are able to pay respect to their ancestors through practices and attributes of the culture. Clothing, dancing, and yoga have stayed unchanged for centuries and are very popular today (Joshi, 2005).
Every person must know their ancestry and what specific part of the world they came from. It is crucial that even in the changing world and different society people remember who they are. The traditions and knowledge of the past must be transferred from one generation to another without ever stopping its path.
References
Joshi, D. (2005). Glimpses of Indian Culture. New Delhi, India: Star Publications.
Kulasresthav, M. (2006). Culture India. New Delhi, India: Lotus Press.
Prasad, J. (2000). Export Potential of Indian Agriculture. New Delhi, India: Mittal Publications.