Tradition, Social Media and Community: Viewing the Virtual from a Folkloric Perspective

This article explores how members of the Bangladeshi diaspora, particularly in New York, navigate their identities and traditions in the face of migration, modernity, and virtual uphavel. It challenges conventional notions of tradition as fixed or folkloric, instead presenting tradition as an evolving practice shaped by familial ties, regional affiliations, religious beliefs, social class, and virtual expression. Drawing from ethnographic insight, it investigates how diasporic Bangladeshis perceive family, gender, community, and social roles, revealing the dynamic interplay between conservative and liberal values. The study pays particular attention to how virtual platforms and social media have become spaces for the negotiation and performance of tradition, often dismissed by elite standards but deeply rooted in the everyday realities of the diaspora. Through this folkloric lens, the article interrogates dominant narratives of taste, legitimacy, and authenticity in contemporary culture.