I had a friend whose old apartment looked like those in coffee table publications showing us the finest African interior design. The casual reader of such books might think that every African household is decorated with colourful textiles and ancient masks that once belonged to the curious ceremonies of secret societies. It could not be further from the truth.
My friend was a textile artist who had travelled to West Africa several times over more than two decades, finding inspiration in both nature and the diverse culture of the region. Then, one day, after making a bad decision on one of her trips, she found herself confronted with the everyday realities of those she visited. Disillusioned, she discarded everything she had hitherto stood for, not realising that nothing had changed except her view of reality.
She was desperate to find an other source of the ancient, and with time she decided that China, Zen Buddhism, and martial arts would have to fill the void she felt within. She soon moved into a new apartment, and gone were the lush green plants, the carefully collected books on African arts, the textiles covering the walls and furniture, and there was no trace of the instruments she used to play as a member of an African band. In the name of her new ’religion’, she simplified her surroundings so much that they lacked the personality and warmth that I loved in her first abode.
By then, I had spent a considerable number of years studying Asia, its religions, and arts. My friend, convinced that I held the key to some ancient secret that made life worth living, asked my opinion of the continent. Indeed, I shared the experiences I gained in Inner Asia. They are precious but realistic, far from the romantic image many people choose to see when it comes to the big Orient and Buddhism in particular. From then on, our relationship deteriorated and ended shortly afterward. My ignorance on the matter was never forgiven.
In Europe, and probably in other parts of the world, we look at these seemingly remote places as if the traditions have remained intact and the people are still radiating ancient wisdom, in close contact with nature. Sadly or not, not only is there no fairyland free of impurity and human greed, but traditions are malleable and nothing remains intact forever.
What is tradition? How far back in time do we have to go to find the kind of wisdom that makes everyday life easier? Because the way I see it, we often cling so tightly to the knowledge of our ancestors because we think everything was better in the past. Even when it is clear that many customs have not stood the test of time.
I also see this desire in tourists visiting a country to immerse themselves in its traditions. Instead of appreciating the knowledge gained through everyday interactions, they chase traditional experiences, whatever they may be. Most of the time, these experiences are little more than tourist attractions, so far removed from today’s reality that locals would laugh at them.
Whether I was guiding people in Budapest, Ulaanbaatar or London, the request was always to show them the traditional way of life. Easier said than done.
In Hungary, should I show the traditional way of life that my father followed all his life, coming from a family that worked the land, or my mother’s side, who were intellectuals? My maternal grandmother was a respected party member, while my father’s family used every trick in the book to hide what they had worked hard to earn when the party men came to collect the taxes. Perhaps you would like to know about the Christian culture that the government promotes, but only exists in their wild imaginations? Shall I tell you about what the Ottoman Empire left behind after their siege in the 16th century?
When it comes to Mongolia, shall I show you the snow-white yurts that are so typical of the country? Little does anyone know that this was the result of Soviet pressure, when a national programme was aimed at spreading the importance of sanitation. With this programme, the old, dirty-looking yurt coverings had to go, to be replaced by a modern, clean and fresh look. There is no doubt that spending time in the countryside is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. But if we ignore the rest, we miss out on the capital’s rich arts scene, its young people’s openness to the world, and the joys and sorrows of contemporary Mongolian society.
And how do I show you London, which is typically British? Good heavens, what does that even mean? It’s a diverse city with a history that spans continents.
Rather than sticking to the image of a country or continent presented in guidebooks or by governments, wouldn’t it be more rewarding to simply be there and accept the place as it is? History and the so-called traditional life naturally weave into our daily experiences without us having to chase it. The traces of our ancestors’ way of life remain with us and provide a foundation that we can shape ourselves in the way that is best for us, and this is no different in other countries.
Before you visit a new place, read about its history, it is important to have basic information about where you are going, but let people guide your views of this new universe. Discover how things work today, don’t want to travel back in time in the hope of finding a pristine paradise.
