Tradition is a changing discursive construct, not a fixed substance, and fixtures are pathological

Evidence

Whereas it needs to be understood as “the changing same” (Gilroy 1993a) or as “a discursive concept … [which] seeks to connect, authoritatively, within the structure of its narrative, a relation among past, community and identity” (Scott 1999). Fixture is something which happens to tradition under certain conditions—how it ceases to be creative and becomes immured in “authority.” — Stuart Hall, Essential Essays, Volume 2, 398

Categorization

• DEFINE: Defines tradition as ‘the changing same’ and fixity as something that happens to tradition under certain conditions — key scaffolding for how identity/tradition debates operate.
• ADDENDUM: The notion of heritage/tradition as constructed and contested resonates with the ‘On Sacrifice’ framing of ritual as living practice rather than frozen artifact.