The influence of an Empire.

With the recent interest in the field of Global History, historians are now researching for forms of mutual influence of cultures around the World. This research has led to a debate among historians. The central theme of this debate is, to what extend  in the 19th century colonial powers where influenced by their Empire. However, the notion of an Empire must imply that there are contacts and mutual influences back and forth. Moreover the extend of influence from one culture to another is hard to measure . 

To address this problem the concept of decentring was introduced. This concept thrives on the notion that culture's can take over aspects of another culture, to make it their own. One could understand the function of decentring by looking at an example from the British Empire. 

In the British Empire tea is one fine example of decentring. Tea was not a commodity that was very common in Britain until the 19th century. At first tea culture was something for the elite, a ritual that they had taken home from their time in the Indian colony. Their the British elites took this tea culture over from indigenous elites, whom in their turn had taken over this tea culture from the Chinese.  As stated, tea was a commodity for the elite. This element changed when the British had the industrial revolution  and tea became widely available for the masses. 

This example should help people recognize the differences in the use of tea in cultures. Furthermore it should make people aware that you can take certain rituals from other cultures, and change them a bit but nevertheless make them one's own culture. This idea is the concept for decentring, and should show the people the influence Empire have on their lives.

Literature
R. Salverda, 'Image and counterimage of the colonial past', in: D. Fokkema and F. Grijzenhout, Dutch Culture in a European perspective 5. Accounting for the past, 1650-2000 (Assen and Basingstoke 2004), 67-90.
B. Porter, The absent-minded imperialists: empire, society, and culture in Britain (Oxford 2004), 134-163.