Lets admit it when someone asks you to identify Globalisation, you’re stuck. It’s not a easy thing to define, or understand. Globalisation has a large effect on the world, however many people don’t know the correct meaning of it, never the less know the impact it has on each individual.
The Oxford Dictionary defines Globalisation as- The process by which businesses or other organizations develop international influence or start operating on an international scale.
Each person has their own opinion on whether globalisation is positive or negative, but my opinion is, it can be both. Depending on the situation will depend on whether globalisation is positive or negative. A positive side of globalisation that majority of individuals would agree with, is the opportunity to indulge in foreign foods and cuisine. This gives us a tasty experience of another cultures food, for example if it wasn’t for globalisation l would never had been able to try Thai food. However, a negative aspect of globalisation is terrorism. We can’t blame globalisation for the occurrence of terrorism, however it is a factor and definitely plays a part.
The increasing relevance of ‘Global Media’ has exposed cultures of foreign cultural traditions. This has led certain traditions within cultures, such as tribal tattoos, to become trendy all over the world. For example traditional tattoos, such as Fijian tattoos have become trendy around the world, people get them purely because they like the look of them, not because they have a meaning behind them. The Fijian Times released an article focusing on Fijian Tattoos and their meanings, “Each design points to an origin story- a cosmology- a historical event and genealogies, for example” Dr Vaka’uta said.
The top photo is a sketch of traditional tattooing within the Fijian Culture, all marks having a meaning, and present the growth of the individual. Where the bottom photo also presents intense detail, with many lines and and a lot of accuracy, however this tattoo was created because the individual liked the way it looked, not because it had a deeper meaning.
The increase in ‘Global Media’ when it comes to turning tradition into trend can also be seen through the body art called Henna (also known as Hina). Henna is traditionally used for special occasions like holidays, birthdays and weddings in Africa, Pakistan, India, and the Middle East. The most popular of the traditions is the Mehndi (henna) Night where the bride, her family, relatives and friends get together to celebrate the wedding to come. This beautiful tradition has now become a popular trend throughout the world, including Australia. It became so popular you were able to buy the Henna kits from popular stores including Big W. The video below describes the true meaning behind the traditional Henna, as well as show the specific detail of one.
http://www.smithsonianchannel.com/videos/the-meaning-behind-indian-henna-designs/56343?an=culture
On the left we are presented with the traditional look of a Henna, it is severely detailed and complex, where on the right we a see a more simple Henna, obviously created for recreational purposes and for image, rather than tradition. Global Media has had a positive effect in many ways, as we are able to take part in other cultures traditions freely and without having to travel to the foreign country.
Sources:
- Fijian Times, Siteri Sauvakacolo, July 5th, 2016. http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=361035, viewed August 2nd, 2017.
- The Meaning behind Indian Henna Designs, http://www.smithsonianchannel.com/videos/the-meaning-behind-indian-henna-designs/56343?an=culture, Smithsonian Channel, viewed August 2nd 2017.
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