Traditions: Honouring the dead

Investigations and activities (English Focus)

a) Look at the front cover of Autumn 2004 edition of Koreana and then read the articles: Offering a glimpse into the ancient world of Goguryeo and The secret of their centuries-old preservation in this edition.

b) Look at the images from sixth century Goguryeo tombs. What is valued in this society? What beliefs do people hold about the afterlife? Build your thoughts into a cluster diagram.

Go to the picture of Korean families gridlocked in traffic in the article ‘Long-standing Traditions Complicated by Modern-day Realities’ in the Autumn 2004 edition of Koreana. These people are on their way to visit living family members and honour the ones who have died. Imagine yourself in some of the cars and create thought bubbles for a range of the people in this picture.
Do customs like 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 which understand and value their traditions.
In some societies traditions are important but they are not so important in Australia.
To cope with today’s society, young Australians need to be flexible rather than hampered by traditions.

Conduct a class debate on the topic ‘A society without traditions is worthless’.