
Traditions of the Ancestors brings to life the wisdom, history, traditions, achievements, and stories of people and cultures from around the world. Here is where we connect people to cultural artists who can share their work and their culture in a healthy and respectful way.
Richard “Buddy” Jones grew up in southern California, where he had the opportunity to spend time with artists and activists across a broad scope of society. For the last 50 years, he has lived in the San Joaquin valley. He owned and operated a major construction company that did renovations in Sequoia, King's Canyon, and Yosemite national parks, the most such work completed by an African American contractor in the United States.
Buddy plays the West African drum. His current art project is wood sculpture with African undertones, using wood reclaimed from ancient grape vineyards, as well as historic buildings throughout the San Joaquin valley.
TOTA works with culturally diverse artists to promote their authentic creations We work with artists directly and strictly vet all products to ensure that they are accurate, authentic, and ethical. Celebrate the culture of others and support independent artists today.
Connecting through shared cultural threads is the most powerful way to understand and empathize with your fellow human beings because it allows you to see them not as the assumptions and stereotypes that you have unconsciously internalized. But instead, as people, just like you.
Michael Felts
Founder, CEO
We began this project with a vision to provide accurate and comprehensive cultural information in one easy-to-use website.
In our cultural research across the internet, we found that much information was inaccurate, disperse, and not easily searchable. Many credible sites and articles from scholars and experts were inaccessible to the general public.
TOTA is partnering with cultural organizations and experts to offer the broadest range of accurate and detailed cultural information to the general public and academics. We believe that such content will enrich our understanding of ourselves and our neighbors both local and global.
TOTA seeks to create a community where people can find and enrich each other through cultural interests and activities. Users will be able to join cultural groups, stay connected locally, and share information that inspires them globally.
Culture influences us all, from how we lead our daily lives to how we view ourselves, our families, and the world. In our own studies, it became clear to us that nearly all cultures share the same fundamental wisdom. It is our intent to present these similarities, as well as our differences, side-by-side to expand people’s understanding of their cultural identity and that of all peoples.
This is a monumental project that will never be finished. Many talented individuals have already contributed their time and energy to TOTA, but it remains incomplete without your unique perspective.
Please join us at tota.world today to help us connect people through culture.