Climate and Cultural Dynamics: Harmony?
With this article, i locate the talanoa on cultural dynamics in relation to the movements of people, challenge the idea that indigenous peoples are monocultural, and link cultural dynamics to climate struggles and Harmony Day.
In two previous catalyst reflections, i identified five tags for our rich cultural dynamics: multi-, poly-, inter- (see here), cross-, and trans- (see here) cultural dynamics. Some people may prefer one tag over the others, or different tags and framings. My short articles invite reflection and talanoa, rather than seek to control views on cultural dynamics.
With this article, i locate the talanoa on cultural dynamics in relation to the movements of people, challenge the idea that indigenous peoples are monocultural, and link cultural dynamics to climate struggles and Harmony Day.
Migration
Increasing cultural diversities is one of the upshots of people migrating from one (is)land to another, and from different locations on the same (is)land. On the cluster of islands now known as Australia, for instance, people from Europe, Asia, Africa, Americas, and Pasifika bring their cultures and pump-up cultural diversity.
Moreover, certain cultural characteristics are strong(er) in some states and territories versus others – as we hear in the talking points during state and federal elections, as well as in sporting events (e.g., NRL State of Origins appeal more to people on the east coast versus those in the middle and west) – and between the coastal and inland settlements.
Contributing to the cultural dynamics are the reasons why people migrate. Some migrate by choice, and some by force – hence cultural dynamics get more and more complex. When two or more groups come from the same nation, the more articulate group will have more say on defining their home-culture – hence some cultural differences get silenced.
Indigeneities
Indigenous Australian peoples and cultures are also complex, and some are silenced. Freshwater and Saltwater peoples are culturally different, due to their location and what they can access. On top of that are the 250+ nations and languages across the big and neighboring islands.
The five tags of cultural dynamics apply to Indigenous Australians, even before adding the cultural diversities that migrants bring.
The colonial tendency to group Indigenous Australians into one group—called “aboriginal” or “first nations”—as if they are monocultural, is unfair to their rich and diverse indigenous cultures.
Climate
The movement of peoples affects the environment at both their old and new homes, and contributes to changing the climate – locally, regionally, and globally. No matter how lightly people tread across land, sea, or sky, they leave footprints.
Banning people from migrating, or closing national borders, does not change the volume of footprints. That only changes the areas being affected, but the global impact continues.
Harmony
Harmony Day falls on March 21, 2025. It celebrates the cultural diversity in the cluster of islands now known as Australia with a motivating theme: Harmony – we all have a role to play!
We ALL have a role to play! But, who decides, or who should decide, our role? – is a critical question whether we see ourselves as multi-, poly-, inter-, cross-, or trans-cultural.
So what?
As we celebrate Harmony Day 2025, may we be respectful of the cultural differences within and among us. And may we be humble: harmony does not remove differences. Rather, harmony is about learning to live alongside one another, with our differences.
During and beyond Harmony Day 2025, may we ALSO seek to be in harmony with other-kinds who also migrate with us human-kind on (is)land, sea, and sky.