Erosion of collective memory in traditional cultures

Oral history often goes back no further than events within in the memory span of living villagers. As a result, people often have only a slight awareness of the significant common history of their ancestors. While many developing communities are consciously using what remains of their heritage to foster community solidarity, some small villages seem to hold on only to those aspects of tradition which heighten individualism to the detriment of common development efforts. Community meetings, which were once held to discuss and decide community issues, have virtually disappeared from the social fabric of these villages; many traditions, which formerly passed from the older to the younger people, have been dissipated as the young people move to the cities; those activities which used to bring women together have been replaced by the partial introduction of modern conveniences.