Go to the picture of traffic in the PDF ‘Long-standing Traditions Complicated by Modern-day Realities'. This shows Korean families in gridlocked traffic on their way to visit families and honour deceased relatives. Imagine yourself in some of the cars and create thought bubbles for a range of the people in this picture.
Do customs like this (annually remembering the dead) exist in Australia? In small groups, discuss the rites and rituals which cultures in Australia have in relation to death.
Korea is a society where traditions intersect with modern life in interesting and challenging ways. In pairs, rank the following statements in a diamond pattern according to how strongly you agree with them.
It is important that traditions are handed down from generation to generation and respected.
Only some traditions are worth keeping.
If societies cling on to the old, they die.
My parents and grandparents have a great deal to teach me.
If we forget the past, we make mistakes in the future.
If we don't change, we don't grow. If we don't grow, we aren't really living.
In a progressive country change is constant; change is inevitable.
The most successful societies are those who understand and value their traditions.
In some societies traditions are important but they are not so important in Australia.
Young Australians need to be flexible to cope with today's society rather than hampered by traditions.
Conduct a class debate on the topic ‘A society without traditions is worthless'.
Extension Activity: The Koreana vol 16, no 4, Winter 2002 has an extensive focus on Koreans' perceptions of death, on rituals surrounding death and on contemporary funeral culture. This work provides rich material for a comparative study in the ways in which cultures view death and ritualise aspects of death.
