The Invention of tradition

This book, edited by Eric Hobsbawm and Terence Ranger, examines the concept of 'invented traditions,' which are cultural practices presented as having a long history but are actually of recent origin.

The essays cover various topics such as the creation of Welsh and Scottish national cultures, the elaboration of British royal rituals, and the origins of imperial rituals in British India and Africa.

The book highlights how these invented traditions were used to foster social cohesion, legitimize institutions, and solidify value systems and beliefs.

It also explores the complex interaction between past and present and how these traditions were constructed to serve specific historical and political needs.