Kevin's Watch

I dunno...everything that is seen as traditional was once invented. But it's invention is not the reason we call it traditional, it's its perseverance.

Eventually of course, the reason for it is forgotten, or distorted. And eventually only the idea of a traditional action will remain...the actual action may be completely different.

--A

But the things is, there are few customs which could be considered to have 'perservered'. Granted, I think we'd probably agree that there are some human habits and tendencies which might be adequately described as traditions, but I think these are few. Almost anything that is claimed as a 'tradition' is in fact relatively recent. The success of the invention convinces people that it's a tradition. 'Traditional' Scottish Highland culture is an excellent example of this.

I feel like writing more but I was then about to say 'but we've diverged from the theme of this thread'. Then I realised . . . there is no theme

I think we can exclude anything that stems from a biological imperative, maybe even a sociological imperative, from being considered traditions.

But when I think of tradition, I think of things like "beating the bounds," which has been done since Alfred the Great.

--A

Don't "traditions" tend to change? For example, one could say traditional Christianity involves baptism, but that baptism is everything from a dunk in the river to a sprinkling of water, and everywhere in between.
Sure, the actual "reason" behind it may be lost, but its execution is not static. As far as I know, we don't end up with cultures like Castle Gormenghast where things are done just because they are done.

Is that what you meant by 'evolving traditions', Montresor?