Homi K. Bhabha is a very prominent postcolonial scholar. He is most well known for his theories of The Third Space, Mimicry, and Hybridity. The Third Space is a space of negotiation and transformation when two cultures or identities interact. While not literal, it is the conceptual zone in which differences collide. Mimicry is when the colonized mimic or copy elements of the colonizer’s culture, but not completely. An example of this is in colonial India, where officials wore British-style suits but combined them with turbans. Mimicry creates a fertile ground for Hybridity to take place. Hybridity is the mingling of these two cultures to create something new and distinct, like fusion cuisine or K-pop which is a blend of Western music production techniques, synchronized dancing, and choreography with traditional Korean instruments and lyrics. Mimicry and hybridity seem similar, with the end result being a somewhat blended cultural phenomenon, but they are different. As an example, Mimicry would be colonial missionaries introducing Christianity but the colonized would add small indigenous practices, whereas Hybridization would result in a fully syncretic religion. Using the example of colonial India, a hybridized version would be an Indo-Western fashion style. Bhabha’s theories can also be applied outside of postcolonial contexts, while he developed his theories from that framework that paradigm can be shifted to any cultural interactions.

 Globalization, a virtual Third Space, and diaspora communities could all facilitate hybridization. Diaspora communities are groups of people who share a cultural heritage and live outside of their country of origin. This inherently leads to cultural interactions, an example of hybridization through diaspora communities is Korean tacos. Mexican food was very popular in Los Angeles, and there was a large population of Korean immigrants who wanted to make their cuisine appeal more to a Western audience. The result being tacos topped with kimchi and bulgogi. If this sounds interesting to you, try this recipe and watch Chef Choi’s Masterclass. A virtual third space allows cultures to mingle without physical contact. Social media is one of the greatest boons to facilitate this transfer. One might use an Anime-esque art for a political cartoon with English words. All of the former examples are possible because of globalization, the increasing interconnectedness of countries across the world. Globalization leads to hybridization, as it facilitates contact with various cultures. However, they are far from the same. To illustrate the difference, Japanese food makes a wonderful example. Globalization results in one being able to find and eat sushi in Peru or anywhere else, whereas hybridization would result in Nikkei cuisine which is a blend of Peruvian elements, like quinoa or aji, and Japanese preparation methods and ingredients.  

Today, Valentine’s Day is a commercialized holiday celebrating love. It has roots in the Roman holiday Lupercalia, a pagan fertility festival. The holiday eventually became a Christian tradition. There were two Saint Valentines. One wed young Christian couples, which was outlawed in Rome, and he was subsequently executed. The other performed similar acts of resistance but was less tied to romance. Later, Pope Gelasius established a feast on February 14th honoring the martyr but distancing it from its pagan roots. In the Medieval Era, various chivalric ideas of romantic devotion and the concept of love notes and poetry helped tie Valentine’s Day to romance, and dubbed gifts for one’s lover Valentines. It increased in popularity at a steady rate during the Renaissance and early modern era. Valentine’s Day transitioned into the more contemporary interpretations of today, because of the Industrial Revolution. A lot of inventions helped further Valentine’s Day into society. Postal networks allowed the exchange of cards and letters. Techniques like lithography allowed cards to become mass-produced, and the manufacturing of paper made love notes far more affordable. 

Valentine’s Day has globalized almost completely, creating an environment ripe for the interaction of cultures. One could shift Bhabha’s theoretical framework to Valentine’s Day. In most cases, the Western ideals of love along with the custom of giving gifts have integrated into existing religious and social structures. In Kenya, people celebrate Siku ya Wapendanao. They integrated the Western gift-giving practices and emphasis on romantic love but adapted the holiday to fit their more communal lifestyle. Various Kenyan activists also use Valentine’s Day to raise awareness for femicide and other gender-based violence, holding ‘Dark Valentine’ vigils. In many Latin American countries, people observe Día del Amor y la Amistad. The emphasis is more on affection in general, including friends and family along with romantic partners. This fits with the importance of community in those societies. In South Korea, Valentine’s Day is one in a string of 12 love days on the 14th of every month, to increase social harmony. On Valentine’s Day, the custom is for women to give gifts to their partners who will then reciprocate on White Day in March. This is part of a larger value of reciprocation in South Korean culture, from Confucianist ideals, where gift-giving is moreso a social obligation than a personal gesture. The Love Day in June celebrates weddings and anniversaries, and the one in April is for single people. Valentine’s Day is a fairly recent phenomenon in Russia, that came about after the collapse of the USSR. Sentiments of collective good over personal indulgence along with the Russian Orthodox Church not acknowledging Valentine’s Day have limited the holiday. Although garish displays of love are not common, people do exchange gifts but to a much more restrained degree. 

In summary, Homi K. Bhabha’s theoretical framework is a wonderful method to analyze various cultural phenomena. Shifting that paradigm to Valentine’s Day is a great thought exercise as well. Bhabha’s theories of Mimicry and Hybridity will continue to be pertinent, as the world continues to globalize, migrate, utilize technology, produce media, and form cosmopolitan cities.