The rhythmic drums echoed through Westview High School’s Lunar New Year festival as the weight of the lion’s head pressed down on my shoulders; my swift body was in motion as I showcased the techniques I picked up at my local temple. My eyes grazed across the thick papier-mâché walls, the combination of bright reds, golds, and shimmering sequins designed to mimic a realistic lion. The beat boomed in my eardrums and thunder reverberated in my chest as I maneuvered through the crowd of students, seeing their faces light up as the lion approached, each expression evoking the warmth I felt from sharing my heritage.
Yet, in that moment of beauty, I felt a twinge of sadness. In recent years, I’ve noticed that it has been gradually harder to preserve culture. This subtle shift is often ignored and overlooked because of our ever-fast-moving societies but the rich cultural identities fading over time has become a daily humming fear in my mind.
Ever since I was little, the vibrant culture of Vietnam has been instilled into every aspect of my life. Lunar New Year celebrations always filled our home with the warmth of my family, steaming bowls of bánh chưng, and lively Vietnamese karaoke sessions. The air was always alive with the scent of incense and traditional dishes, which varied from a complex blend of flavors like the savory taste of fish sauce to the deep spices of Vietnamese broth. These moments, carried down by tradition and community, have shaped my identity and connected me to my ancestral background.
Not only do I find joy in celebrating my culture in my home, surrounded by the beauty of family, but I also find it in local Vietnamese organizations, amongst what have become my closest friends. Starting from the age of 3, I have been going to temple every Sunday to participate in a youth group named Gia Dinh Phat Tu. Each week, we explore issues or challenges that members of the group may face and discuss how we can apply Buddhist principles to overcome them. We also do numerous cultural performances like traditional Vietnamese dances and lion dancing to showcase the vibrancy of our culture.
Something I hold especially dear is the summer camp hosted by our temple each year. Each summer our camp revolves around an elaborate storyline guided by a central theme. It is oftentimes based on an important historical figure or event in Vietnamese culture and these camps intertwine these themes into fun games and activities to create an engaging, exciting experience that encourages appreciation for our culture. These camps have always held a special place in my heart and they always bring out the best in me; whether it be hearty laughs shared among my friends or emotional tears at the closing ceremony, I find a deep love for my community.
Participating in the group has provided a fulfilling way to stay connected to my culture. Temple on Sunday is like a refreshing reward at the end of the week. It’s a way for me to come together with the people I love and celebrate traditions that we hold dear to our hearts, ranging from lion dancing to the simple act of learning our language.
The gradual fading of culture across generations should not be inevitable. Preserving tradition can be achieved through small, consistent actions, and by doing so, younger generations will have a higher probability of carrying on in the future. By embracing more approaches to cultural preservation, we can move towards a brighter future for our rich cultural identities.
