- published: 08 Apr 2011
- views: 916838
A homeland (rel. country of origin and native land) is the concept of the place (cultural geography) with which an ethnic group holds a long history and a deep cultural association – the country in which a particular national identity began. As a common noun, it simply connotes the country of one's origin. When used as a proper noun, the word, as well as its equivalents in other languages, often have ethnic nationalist connotations. A homeland may also be referred to as a fatherland, a motherland, or a mother country, depending on the culture and language of the nationality in question.
Motherland refer to a mother country, i.e. the place of one's birth, the place of one's ancestors, the place of origin of an ethnic group or immigrant, or a Metropole in contrast to its colonies. People often refer to Mother Russia as a personification of the Russian nation. India is often personified as Bharat Mata (Mother India), a concept that emerged in the late 19th century via the Indian independence movement. The French commonly refer to France as "la mère patrie";Hispanic Americans and 19th century-upper-class Filipinos, commonly referred to Spain as "la Madre Patria", but today this refers to a more cultural and linguistic relationship based on a long and complex mutual history.
Wish I was on - a mountain high,
Watching the eagle as she flies,
Wish I could sit and dream awhile,
And spend some time - in my homeland.
So many places I can't recall,
There's been so many - I've seen them all,
But through the years, I've come to know,
My heart belongs - in my homeland.
I've seen the bright lights, the neon signs,
Spent loving nights, sipping ruby red wine,
Made a thousand friends along the way,
But now I long to be - in my homeland.