Conclusion!!!

When I first chose my topic, I was so excited to create a blog only based on the Armenian culture.  I knew that once I started, it would be hard to stop.  I wanted to cover almost all the aspects of a cultural Armenian event, whether it is a celebration or a commemoration.  I really enjoyed introducing others my viewers to the duduk or the shalaxo dance.  The poll I set up was very helpful because it showed me how many of my viewers knew or didn't know anything about my topic.  Based off the results, I was able to know what to post and how much to post.  I'm sad to say that I have covered almost all of the aspects of an Armenian cultural event.  Although I haven't gotten all the way to the core, I have provided enough information for my viewers to know and understand what goes into an Armenian celebration/funeral.  Maybe sometime in the future I will start posting more photos or videos to continue the enjoyment of my viewers.

Duduk

Instruments are a big part of music because they create the melody and sound.  There are guitars, pianos, violins, trumpets, and much more.  One instrument that a lot of people don't know about is the duduk.  It kind of looks like the flute but doesn't sound anything like it.  It's made out of wood and it has this very unique tone.  There might not be such thing as a racial instrument but, if there was this definitely would be it.  Armenians have played the duduk for centuries and it has been a big part of Armenian cultural music.  You can hear it played in the background of almost every Armenian song.  When it is played on its own, it rarely has a happy melody.  The duduk brings a sad tone to the music and that is what it's really meant for.  The duduk is played at funerals or other sad occasions like the commemorations for the Armenian genocide.  After the genocide, the Armenians portray themselves as the sad race and they can give out their message through the sounds of the duduk.

Although it looks like it's a simple instrument to play, it's actually not.  It's a very difficult instrument to learn because one small mistake is even heard.  One of Armenia's most famous duduk players is Jivan Gasparyan.  He is known for his amazing music and there hasn't been anyone who can play the duduk like him.  He puts all his emotions and worries into his music as he plays. 

 



Shabash at a Wedding

As we all know that shabash is a big part of a traditional Armenian celebration including birthdays, weddings, engagements, and christenings.   Shabash is when the guests attending the celebration just start throwing money all over the dance floor.  The money is mainly thrown at the person who through the party or if it's a wedding then it's thrown on the bride and groom.   The money is meant to be bring good luck and financial success. 

The video shown here is a traditional Armenian wedding where money is continuously being thrown around.   The people who are dancing are unknown, but they may be important because the money is being thrown on them.  The dance that they are doing has very difficult and complex moves which may also be the reason why people are continuously throwing money around.  Shabash can also be considered as congratulating someone or telling them that they are doing a good job at the dance they're performing.   Although the shabash is thrown on the men and woman dancing, the bride and groom will most probably receive the money.

To be completely honest, I kind of wish I was there.  This is one of the weddings where I have seen the most money being tossed around.   Usually it is only a couple hundred dollars maximum, but I'm sure the money in this video could have added up to a thousand dollars.  The men dancing in the video are so enthusiastic that they make me want to get up and dance.

The Armenian and The Armenian

"I should like to see any power of the world

destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people,

whose wars have all been fought and lost,

whose structures have crumbled,

literature is unread,

music is unheard,

and prayers are no more answered.

Go ahead, destroy Armenia.

See if you can do it.

Send them into the desert without bread or water.

Burn their homes and churches.

Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again.

For when two of them meet anywhere in the world,

see if they will not create a New Armenia."

 

When it comes to Armenian people, the touchiest subject one can bring up is about the Armenian Genocide.  Others are probably tired of hearing about it but for the Armenians it's part of history and it just can't be forgotten.  Many documentaries and books are made that discuss this issue but one quote by William Saroyan has managed to stay famous for the Armenian people.  What makes this quote so unique is that it has so many different emotions.  Anyone who has ever read this, can tell you that they have experienced all the different emotions and struggles the quote is trying to describe.  Every time this poem is heard, it can either bring joy or tears to someone. 

This quote discusses the strength of the Armenian people and the Armenian nation.  For example, the Ottoman Empire once tried to destroy Armenia and they were almost successful, but that didn't stop the Armenian people from continuing their traditions.  If that were to ever happen again, then Armenia would stay strong and not let anything or anyone take away what they have.  It informs others about all the undiscovered literature and music that Armenia has and how it's very unique to them as a group of people.  William Saroyan was able to create this by collecting all his thoughts and ideas from the Armenian Genocide and turning it into this great quote. 

This is also one of my favorite quotes to either read or listen to.  It has been able to influence me and many more people throughout the world.

Though for Food

            Armenian Cuisine is not like every other type of food.  It's origin came from Azerbaijan's cuisine.  Centuries ago, Armenian's plagiarized the cuisine of the Azerbaijan's.  Their food isn't original but it has been stolen from somewhere else.  Not only the food, but Armenians have managed to take most of their cultural traditions from the Azerbaijanis.

            The main issue of this article is about the Armenian cuisine and how it has been plagiarized from Azerbaijanis.  It contradicts to the topic of the Armenian Culture blog.  The blog discusses what type of food is eaten by the majority of the Armenians and what makes it so special.         

            The author of this article sounds like he doesn't know what he is talking about.  What if the Azerbaijanis stole the cuisines from the Armenians?  What's so special about Middle Eastern cuisine is that it is a lot more different than other types of food.  Although all Middle Eastern food is alike, Armenian food does have a uniqueness.

 

http://www.eurasianet.org/node/66412

Hypothesis

Picking my topic was a very easy process.  All I had to do was think about a topic I was well informed on and how I could use my knowledge to inform others.  My culture is what interests me the most and it would give me joy to discover more about its roots.  As I research to find more information on the Armenian culture, not only do I inform others, but I am able to learn more myself.  Picking my subtopics was the most exciting part.  I chose to blog about my three favorite things about my culture: music, food, and traditions.  These three aspects of the Armenian culture contribute to the way Armenians celebrate certain holidays or events.