I was reading an article about the Qashqai nomadic tribe of Iran. For centuries this tribe of nomads have reveled in the fierce nomadic way of life, growing independant, strong and refusing to anchor themselves to the confines of society. Now a dwindling tribe of just 400,000 members, their loyalty to their way of life is reflected in the way they live, their attire and the traditions (or lack thereof).
Strangely I could draw similarities between this nomadic tribe and the cosmopolitan urban society that I've been born into and continue to inhabit.
Strange...isn't it? The irony of the matter doesn't end there...The fact that this nomadic tribe which is a symbol of a independent way of life is dwindling because of traditional ways!
Where I live, my neighbours and the immediate neighbourhood and even the extended city, laments the lack of people to carry on the traditions. Next generations are scattered all over the globe, traditions places are just left to be carried by the older generations. Wrinkled faces, the veined hands and the greying tresses all point to one thing - tradition and old go hand in hand.
Strangely the Quashqai is the suffering from the same pangs of movement. Young blood is drifting away from the nomadic way of life to "settle down." Ironic as this is, the bigger question is why?
Where one rooted way of life becomes the shackles that hold you prisoner, and another free-spirited life is also symbolic of bondage?
Pursuit of the unknown is the perhaps the ingrained nature that refuses to stay put or to travel (as is the case). The need to put down roots is in some ways the same as the need to uproot. To travel is a life...exploring every corner of the world. But, to stay in one place is a respite from always travelling...forming a belonging to the place. One is the life and the other is living...and both changes with what you want!
As a third generation staying in a city while I revel in the familiarity of traditions...the streets where my grandparents have eaten and walked, where my aunts have tasted their "first" dishes and where I too have dipped my spoon savoring the same taste that is so much a part of my ancestry - the beckon of nomadic life is strong. The need to explore and travel, living off the land is so strong that am tempted to leave my roots and go explore.
Perhaps, I will... the key is balance... like the sweet is added to balance the sour travel/staying needs to be balanced delicately!
Strangely I could draw similarities between this nomadic tribe and the cosmopolitan urban society that I've been born into and continue to inhabit.
Strange...isn't it? The irony of the matter doesn't end there...The fact that this nomadic tribe which is a symbol of a independent way of life is dwindling because of traditional ways!
Where I live, my neighbours and the immediate neighbourhood and even the extended city, laments the lack of people to carry on the traditions. Next generations are scattered all over the globe, traditions places are just left to be carried by the older generations. Wrinkled faces, the veined hands and the greying tresses all point to one thing - tradition and old go hand in hand.
Strangely the Quashqai is the suffering from the same pangs of movement. Young blood is drifting away from the nomadic way of life to "settle down." Ironic as this is, the bigger question is why?
Where one rooted way of life becomes the shackles that hold you prisoner, and another free-spirited life is also symbolic of bondage?
Pursuit of the unknown is the perhaps the ingrained nature that refuses to stay put or to travel (as is the case). The need to put down roots is in some ways the same as the need to uproot. To travel is a life...exploring every corner of the world. But, to stay in one place is a respite from always travelling...forming a belonging to the place. One is the life and the other is living...and both changes with what you want!
As a third generation staying in a city while I revel in the familiarity of traditions...the streets where my grandparents have eaten and walked, where my aunts have tasted their "first" dishes and where I too have dipped my spoon savoring the same taste that is so much a part of my ancestry - the beckon of nomadic life is strong. The need to explore and travel, living off the land is so strong that am tempted to leave my roots and go explore.
Perhaps, I will... the key is balance... like the sweet is added to balance the sour travel/staying needs to be balanced delicately!
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