Summary Blog- Carly Ficke

Culture is defined as "the beliefs, customs, arts, etc. of a particular society or group" (Merriam-Webster). It is also defined as "the arts and other manifestations of human intellectual achievement regarded collectively" (Merriam-Webster); which highlights the concept that culture is so fine-tuned to and so expressive of a particular group, that it itself is almost an art. And this is definitely reflected in the Czech-American culture by their way of life, customs, traditions, musical influences, festivities, and much more. I chose to study the Czech culture because despite the depletion of many cultural and ancestral traditions, the Czechs in Nebraska have continued a strong legacy with many active members of the younger generations. I wanted to discover what kept them so active and committed to their Czech culture even as they adapt to ‘American’ and westernized cultures and ideals. This group compliments my personal identity because I am German, and we have many similar traditions/customs. However, these cultural practices have been quickly lost or depleted and now my family does not partake in German traditions. In this way, it contrasts my personal identity. I do not hold ‘German’ to be a strong part of my identity, but the Czech’s that I interviewed felt strongly connected to their heritage and nationality.

            I have selected the concept of integration to apply to the Czech population here in Nebraska. This concept, though simple, is very profound when it comes to this culture. Integration is defined as "a type of cultural adaptation in which individuals maintain both their original culture and their daily interactions with other groups" (Martin, J. N., & Nakayama, T. K., 2010). Integration can be found not only in the early history of Czech-American culture, but also now in the later generations of Czech descent. Integration is vital when it comes to Czech identity in the modern world. The Czech traditions and cultural pride have found ways to survive, while its members have also integrated into the modern American ways of life. Czech culture especially has found a way to thrive and even attract non-Czech people in their traditions. I argue that Nebraska Czech's have been able to balance their integration by forming a strong cultural identity in their children, enacting frequently Czech traditions and customs, and also by publicizing their events and gatherings for people of all descent. In this way, they are allowing integration of non-Czech people, so they can more fully understand their heritage and cultural practices.

            The first big-picture theme that I noticed was the use of very specific an intentional cultural practices. I would define this as the placing of meaning into very specific cultural actions and traditions. For example, the Czech people do not eat a standard Christmas Eve meal, they eat the “white meal” that signified the coming together of the rich and the poor. The meal consists of oyster soup, white fish, salad, mashed potatoes, creamed peas, and bakery (kolaches). Within the oyster soup, there are mushrooms and grain, which signify that both the rich (who had grain access) and the poor (mushrooms access) were necessary to make a complete soup/meal. Additionally, they celebrate the Feast of St. Mikulas (meek-u-lash), which is on December 6. As Darryn Werner, a 25 year old Czech descendent states: “The tradition is that on the eve of St. Mikulas (Saint Nicholas), children will put out a pair of shoes (usually Sunday dress shoes) and place a note for St. Mikulas in their shoes. The next morning, if the child has been good, they would receive fruit, nuts, and candy. If the child hasn’t been good, they would receive coal. This tradition is done to remind the children that Christmas is right around the corner and to keep trying to be good little children. My family has celebrated this ever since I can remember. It’s fun and magical” (Interview 1, April 2014). Additionally, I attended a Czech and Catholic funeral just outside of Prague, Nebraska, in which I found several evident traditions including Czech farewell hymns sung during the mass (sung in the Czech language). Many people were from the surrounding area and were able to sing along with the choir. Even Ian (Interviewee 2, 2014) said he knew the traditional Czech songs, despite not being fluent in the language. After the funeral, several Czech women brought baked goods (kolaches and strudel) and a very large reception was held, with traditional Czech music (accordian and organ) playing gently in the background. This detail to tradition in this funeral was quite evident and exemplifies the Czech love of customs and rituals (Field Notes, 2014).

            Another big-picture theme that struck me was the cultural pride in the younger generation. I would define this as the feelings of loyalty and satisfaction in ones culture, as aided by the traditions, customs, and similar pride found in one’s parents. Both of my interviewees displayed similar responses when asked if they ever experienced a time where they questioned having “Czech” as part of their identity. They never did. Both expressed feelings of pride, connectedness, and active enjoyment in their Czech heritage. I have noticed, after research, that there are several Czech customs that surround the youth and aim to involve them. When girls reach womanhood they make a Kroj (pronounced Kroy) which is an embroidered and decorated type of apron. Additionally, they have the 100 year tradition of selecting a Czech queen in Nebraska. You have to be at least 25% Czech and between the ages of 16-25. Darryn, a former Czech queen described to me the process, selection, and duty of the young women who run for queen: “Every year, the chapters select a queen to represent their chapter and compete in a pageant for the Nebraska title. After the queen is selected, she is crowned and then the work begins… Outside of the pageant, the queen attends Czech festivals to celebrate the heritage. The pageant has been taking place for 100+ years” (Interview 1, 2014).

            It is in the younger generation where I mainly saw aspects of integration. Ian, a 22 year old half Czech and also my second interviewee describes a few of the challenges of integration: “(There are) some stereotypes that go along with a small Czech town: drunks, too many inside jokes, homely women….but I am not ashamed” (Interview 2, 2014). He went on to say that he is able to integrate well because of this being raised in both the Czech and American ways of life. For example, he grew up in Lincoln and so was exposed to the modern and American way of life, but he would make frequent trips with his family to Prague, NE where is grandparents way of life seemed much more Czech. It was there they cooked special meals, made krojs, spoke in Czech, and partook in other customs and traditions. In this way, the two worlds were kept fairly separate. Although he states he was never ashamed if one spilled into the other.

            One thing is for sure, the Czech promote the spread of their culture- even to non-Czechs. This brings me to my third big-picture concept that is the transmission of culture. I would define transmission of culture as the want to share and pass on your traditions and customs to the future generations. Most Nebraskans, whether Czech or not have heard of the Czech Festival, held in Wilber, NE every year. It is a 53 year old tradition that is hosted over a span of a few days and includes parades, traditional food, craft making, and of course music (Czech Festival, n.d.). This event not only passes on Czech culture to Czech decedents, but also to people of all nationalities. This ideology is what sets the Czech culture in Nebraska apart from many others. They actively try to transmit their way of life to all who are interested. This is when the Czech pageant royalty are chosen and the Queen is given the task of spreading her heritage. Darryn (a former queen) says “The point of the Czech queen is for the young ladies that have competed to go out into society as "Future Ambassadors" to perpetuate the heritage culture and traditions of Czechs, Moravians, Selisians and Slovaks in America and worldwide. The Czech chapters look for a young lady who is proud of her heritage and who wants to share her traditions and keep the traditions alive for future generations” (Interview 1, 2014). So it is evident that the young generations are not only being taught their culture, but empowered by the task to share it with the world.

I have really learned a lot through the investigation of this specific cultural group. Mainly, I have learned that intercultural communication requires sensitivity and astute observation to be better understood. I think I became a better listener, observer, and note taker through this process. Also, because my event was a funeral, I learned how to be delicate in my question asking and know what is or isn't appropriate in a given situation. For example, some of my questions were asked after the funeral at the reception to maintain social appropriateness during the sacred Mass. This is a culture that is really just in Lincoln's backyard, and I learned how diversity is not only found oversees. 

Bibliography:

Czech Festival . (n.d.). Nebraska Czechs of Wilber. Retrieved from http://nebraskaczechsofwilber.com

Culture. 2011. In Merriam-Webster.com.

Retrieved April 12, 2014, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/culture

Martin, J.N., & Nakayama, T.K. (2013). Intercultural communication in contexts (6th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw Hill.

Interview 1, Darryn, April 2014.

Interview 2, Ian, April 2014.

Field Notes, Mr. Werner’s Funeral, Prague, NE, March 2014.