It is normal that as human beings we seek to move forward into the future, for this reason our cultures, traditions, and even our education have evolved in different ways. However, there are things from the past that we simply cannot leave behind and that will last for the rest of our lives.
Paraguay is a country rich in cultures and traditions, full of people who value their cultural heritage and seek to preserve the lessons and customs of the past. One of the main aspects that stands out is that we are bilingual; we speak Spanish and our native language Guarani. In several families, Guarani is the mother tongue that was passed from generation to generation, which for me is something beautiful and very valuable. Unfortunately, nowadays there are families in which its importance has been forgotten. There are even parents who forbid their children to speak it, because they say that it will not be useful for their future or that it is better to learn another language to go to other countries, because Guarani is a language that is not spoken internationally. For me, languages are a beautiful opportunity to be able to express ourselves and discover new things about us, so it makes me very sad to think that Guarani has been forgotten over the years.
Fortunately, I have realized that it is not too late, that we have not yet lost our customs and traditions, and that knowledge continues to be transmitted. For example, every day my family members teach me new words and expressions and even speak to me completely in Guarani. They have taught me that speaking in our native language is very important to be able to communicate with the thousands of people who only speak in this language. Besides mine, there are many other families in my community and in other cities that do the same.
Other ways in which knowledge is transmitted to current generations is through celebrations and festivals such as Folklore Day or the feast of San Juan, where not only the country’s myths, legends, dances, and popular music are celebrated, but also traditional games are played, typical food is cooked, and people gather to share with their families and friends. These activities take place in churches, schools, community centers, and many other places, which allows not only to pass on traditions from generation to generation, but also to maintain our identity as Paraguayans.
Times change and so do people and their traditions, but we must never forget where we come from, what our customs, culture, and education were. If at some point we have the opportunity to teach what we know, let’s do it, because there is nothing more beautiful than having our knowledge spread to different places and people. Let’s keep alive what we are and where we come from.