I only read the chapters on India and Africa, because that's related to my current research project. The chapter on India focused almost entirely on the Assemblage of 1877 and Victoria's assumption of the title "Empress of India," rather than on the Orientalism of British colonial authorities and their essentializing of ethnic and religious categories, artificially elevating the power of figures like the zamindar outside of any traditional context, etc. But the chapter on Africa was exactly what I was looking for.

An interesting read that explores the creation and evolution of traditions, all while reminding us that many are not as old as we imagine them to be. That said, I do find at times that there is an underlying theme that the modern origins of certain traditions makes them inauthentic or fake - a theme particularly evident in the chapter on kilts. In my opinion this may miss the mark, as a new tradition is no less real than an old one. Moreover, this overly modernist focus ignores the fact that new traditions don’t spontaneously appear, but tend to be built with elements of drawn from older ones (is it fair to say that are kilts entirely new, given that they are an evolution of an older form of dress?). None of this will surprise anyone familiar with Hobsbawm of course (his materialism makes him critical of many traditions, particularly nationalism which he holds a noticeable grudge for). Ultimately though, none of this detracts from the read too much as I think the overall message contained in this work is accurate. I would certainly recommend this book to anyone looking to question their notions regarding the modern world’s foundation.

Gets ever more relevant and important by the hour, this one

This volume may collect essays on specific "invented traditions", but for me, its true significance lies in illustrating how what we regard as "ancient" and venerable may in fact turn out to be a recent invention, more often than not.
In constructing our cultural identities, we construct our own past as well.

A very important book.

Hobsbawm y sus colegas van diciendo 'invent' a un montón de cosas supuestamente milenarias en 300 páginas. Algunas bastantes divertidas, como el del capítulo de Escocia, otras interesantes (Inglaterra y Europa) y otras que te puedes saltar sin problemas (los capítulos de Gales, India y África colonial).

The amazing work of a group of people, that influenced many sciences greatly. The idea of traditions as something invented, made people think at the things that surround us with new eyes. There are very many reviews both from the 80s and also of recent time, that can give some image of the book. So, no need to write so much about the content. There is only one thing i would like to say - a must-read for all people!!! especially for those fighting for the so cold "purity" of the "nation" and for all "nationalists"

Un peu poussif au-delà de l'idée directrice de la réinvention des traditions qu'on croyait millénaire par le XIXème siècle, notamment. (Réappropriation des anciens rituels avec un sens nouveau plus nouvelles traditions purement inventées). J'y pense souvent en passant devant les Colleges d'Oxford les plus récents et qui ont été construits sur une inspiration clairement gothique tendance romantique. (Cf Expo du Louvre avec Marie d'Orléans.)

Plutôt déçue du chapitre sur la monarchie britannique qui se porte à souligner l'incompétence des sociologues/anthropologues à analyser les rituels dans leur contexte social et historique.

Le dernier chapitre de Hobsbawn qui tente de déconstruire les processus et les causes d'une production de masse de nouvelles traditions est bcp plus palpitant.

Like a lot of collections of essays, this one was hit or miss. But the opener on Scottish "traditions" was great. You think "clan tartans" and "kilts" are "traditional"? Think again!

Read this for class, some interesting cases, but:
I can't imagine
anyone wanting to read
this book for pleasure

- The creation of "tradition" often is due to their underlying desire to legitimize a group. Instead of inventing something new, by re-purposing, re-interpreting and re-inventing something seemingly "old", the propagandist could then legitimize the group they want to establish. At first, such tradition might seem foolish, but as time goes on, it would seem natural and "has always been this way" - especially if more generations pass on

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