Suppressed Cultures

In this era of globalization, there is an emphasis on the homogeneity of cultures. But, we are also witnessing the emergence of certain unknown cultures. For these cultures, globalization can prove to be a double edged sword. One of the unique cultures that I came across today was the Hazaras. These people have been part of Afghanistan for the past 1000 years, but their plight only came to be known during the persecution by the Taliban. The destruction of the Bamiyan Buddhas in 2000, along with their persecution, made us aware of their presence.

They are now creating a niche identity for themselves. They have put out several stuff on the web, and have outlined their history and future adequately. One such website is www.hazara.net, which gives us an idea of their culture and their history. Once flourishing, once persecuted, warfare at intermittent intervals and now the re-establishment of their identity following the end of the Taliban, life has come full circle for the Hazaras.

In some ways, the Hazaras are like the Tibet of China. The difference being that unlike China, the Tibetans were not subject to the threat of extermination. But, they are facing the same problem. The state, under the guise of globalization and homogeneity, is suppressing their identities and imposing their own form of cultural hegemony. In the case of Tibet, the hegemony is forced, while in the case of the hazaras, it may be indirect or slow to take off.

The sociology, on the surface, seems to be that cultures that have suffered persecution, dont open up so fast. While the case may differ with respect to the hazaras and the Tibetans, the key here is whether the people want it. Globalization may not be all rosy, with the backdrop of global conflict. But, with technology and knowledge, it may open them up with ways to improve lives.

The Hazaras and the Tibetans are only one among the millions of suppressed cultures all over the world. The Amazon tribes may be almost wiped out, due to sheer brute power of the economy. The Red Indians, along with the Inuit of northern Canada, are on their last legs and may not last beyond the first half of the 21st century. Globalization is a good thing, but there is the other side where identities are blurred. This blurring leads to a loss of identity, and thus the uniqueness of culture and of man vanishes.