The word heritage is derived from the word heriter, which is an Old French language word that means inherit. There are various definitions of heritage depending on the context you want to fit the word in which sometimes point to the cultural aspect of the word or the personal and unique inherited being of a person.
According to the users of Meritnation.com and Brainly.in there are two types of heritage namely cultural heritage and natural heritage. The users further explain that cultural heritage focuses on historic buildings, monuments and collections that tell us about how people used to live such as paintings, drawings and sculptures. Natural heritage on the other hand refers to mountains, rivers and landscapes that are associated with certain historical groups and/or events.
Not dwelling further into historical jargon and terminologies or definitions, from a person’s perspective, what does heritage amount to? When we look at heritage celebrations and acknowledgement days or months, many of us look back at the cultural aspect of heritage. We celebrate our heritage by wearing colours, symbols and patterns that are associated with our cultures and we look back at what we have achieved as an ethnic group or nation. We dwell upon our historical moments and the landmarks, statues, pictures, paintings or stories that depict memorable events in history.
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Whether we see it or not, our heritage symbolises growth and change. What our parents, grandparents and great grandparents experienced and knew as their reality built a nation with more knowledge and will power and we see this cycle continue as the world shifts with every new year.
Heritage should not just signify the growth implemented by large groups and historical leaders, heritage should also be about familial growth and accomplishments. We ought to instil a new culture that encourages us to recognise and celebrate our heritage by applauding how the people closest to us have made significant changes in our lives and our future. People like our mothers, fathers, grandfathers, grandmothers, aunts and uncles have a heritage and legacy that they have carried too. We wear our country’s pride on our shoulders but we should also remember to wear our family’s pride on our shoulders when we celebrate and acknowledge heritage.
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A family’s history is carried and passed on to the children by their parents. Our history should never be lost to what we are too eager to know about the world outside. Different generations come with different innovations but these generations have the power and capability to grow legacies and create memorabilia’s of moments that seen forgotten.
So, in closing, heritage to me means my history. The history that saw the possibility of my existence, my opportunities and my ability to be and do today. What does heritage mean to you?
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