Traditional Sports and Cultural Identity: A Comparative Study of the Social Functions of Ancient Mediterranean and Ethnic Sports

Abstract

As an important carrier of cultural identity, traditional sports carry rich historical and social functions. This paper aims to explore the role and influence of sports activities in cultural identity through the comparative study of traditional sports in ancient Mediterranean and national sports. First, the paper reviews the sports culture of ancient Greece and Rome, and analyzes how important sports such as the Olympic Games contributed to social integration and identity shaping. The competitive spirit of ancient Greece and the Colosseum culture of Rome were not only forms of entertainment, but also symbols of political and social identity, reflecting the values and cultural characteristics of ancient societies.

Secondly, this paper studies the characteristics and social functions of traditional sports of different nationalities, and reveals the unique role of national sports in cultural identity through the analysis of different national sports activities. For example, Chinese martial arts, Indian yoga and African traditional dance are not only ways of physical training, but also the embodiment of cultural inheritance and national identity. Traditional sports provide a common cultural symbol for all ethnic groups and enhance the cohesion and sense of belonging of the community.

In the comparative analysis of the social functions of ancient Mediterranean and national sports, this paper points out that although the two have similarities in social integration and cultural inheritance, there are also obvious differences. Sports in the ancient Mediterranean were more influenced by political and military contexts, while national sports paid more attention to cultural customs and local characteristics. In addition, factors such as history, geography and social structure have a profound impact on the social function of traditional sports, forming different modes of cultural identity.

Through case studies, this paper further discusses the concrete performance of ancient Mediterranean sports activities and national sports activities in the construction of cultural identity, and analyzes the social functions and cultural connotations reflected in the cases. It is found that physical activity is not only the display of personal ability, but also the maintenance of social relations and the strengthening of cultural identity.

To sum up, traditional sports play an irreplaceable role in different cultural backgrounds, which is an important perspective to understand cultural identity and social functions. The research of this paper provides a new idea for the academic research of traditional sports, and also lays a foundation for the cross-cultural comparative research in the future. It is hoped that through this study, the traditional sports will continue to play a role in the modern society.