Question

what a great tradition and little tradition?​

Answer 1

Explanation:

The second division of elites follows the great tradition. The great tradition consists of the traditions contained in epics, Puranas, Brahmanas and other classical Sanskritic works. ... The little tradition, on the other hand, is local tradition of great tradition tailored according to the regional and village conditions.

Answer 2

Answer:

.  The concept of little and great tradition was defined by Robert Redfield.   These two concepts are based on the idea that the civilization and social organization have a tradition. Little tradition belongs to the peasants or folk society while Great traditions are of elite or thinking class. Traditions can be defined as the transmitted value and behavior of any community that has been persisting over time. It is not static but gets evolved with time.

LITTLE TRADITION

The tradition of the little community is known as ‘little tradition’. It may be defined as:

· The tradition of the illiterate people inhabiting a particular area, Who are unreflective, i.e., they do not critically examine or comment upon it, and accept it as it is;

· This tradition is cultivated at home;

· Is transmitted from one generation to the next as part of the process of socialization.

· Little tradition consists of local customs, rites, rituals, dialects

GREAT TRADITION

· It is the tradition of the lettered people who are few in number.

·  They are reflective, i.e., they think about the tradition, make it sophisticated and systematize it, thus making it universal.

· This tradition is cultivated in separate and distinct institutions, such as temples, mosques, churches.

· It is transmitted as a part of the specialized, rigorous, and long learning, in which the individual is expected to internalize the tradition correctly.

· The great tradition consists of the traditions contained in epics, Puranas, Brahmanas and other classical Sanskrit works.

McKim Marriot found that when little tradition and Great tradition interact with each other two types of movements are observed—upward and downward. That are Universalization and Parochialization

• When the elements of little tradition move upward, Marriot calls it as ‘Universalization’

• when some elements of Great tradition move downward Marriot calls it as ‘Parochialization’.