There
are different cultures in the world that I find quite odd and others fascinating.
One with a bit of both is the hippie culture. Just saying the word hippie
sounds like slur in the modern world. Originating from the United States in the
1960s, it spread to other parts of the world much later. Back then it was easy
to identify a hippie from the unkempt hair, shaggy dressing, non-care for life
or the outside world, just them and their little community having fun all day
long. They slept together, danced and sung all day. Basically, this was a care
free culture.
While the hippie movement was rooted in
ideals of peace, love, and freedom, it also carried a rebellious spirit,
rejecting mainstream societal norms and materialism. Inspired by Eastern
philosophies, psychedelic experiences, and anti-war sentiments, hippies sought
alternative ways of living, often forming communes where they could live
independently of societal constraints.
Drugs like LSD and marijuana were central to
their lifestyle, believed to expand consciousness and promote enlightenment.
Music was another cornerstone, with festivals like Woodstock defining an era of
counterculture expression.
However, not all aspects of the movement were
as idyllic as they seemed. Some individuals and groups took extreme turns, such
as the infamous Manson Family, a cult led by Charles Manson that adopted hippie
aesthetics but carried out brutal crimes. This association with criminality and
lawlessness contributed to the eventual decline of the movement in the
mainstream.
Despite this, hippie ideals continue to
influence modern culture, from fashion and music to environmental activism and
spiritual exploration. In many ways, the movement left a lasting mark on
history, showing that alternative lifestyles could challenge and reshape
societal values.
The deeper you delve into
this culture, the more immersive and captivating it becomes.