World Culture and Heritage

Guide to world culture, ethnic heritage, ancient cultures, interesting social traditions, weird cultures, people and different cultures of the world.

Famous Food Festivals Around the WorldThere can be no better way for people to express immense pride in their heritage, their town, their harvests, and their aquatic treasures than to host a food festival and invite people from other places to taste their special culinary preparations. Let's take a peek at some of the famous food festivals from around the world.

What I've enjoyed most, though, is meeting people who have a real interest in food and sharing ideas with them. Good food is a global thing and I find that there is always

something new and amazing to learn - I love it!- Jamie OliverFood festivals are held all across the world every year, and people from distant parts flock to these venues in large numbers to satiate their taste buds. Apart from being local, national, and international platforms featuring diverse culinary cultures, these festivals are excellent means of uniting different communities under one roof. This is precisely the reason why such festivals have been taking place since thousands of years, wherein people have been marking the arrival of harvest, honoring their deities, and so on. But still, the main aim has always been to celebrate the food culture(s) and promote culinary brotherhood.

The concept of a food festival has become very popular in the past few years. They are no longer elitist events taking place in hotel ballrooms and attended by a handful of people. Food festivals, today, have become huge public events, which take place at popular and easily accessible venues, and are

attended by an enormous number of people. Moreover, most of them are not restricted to their local traditional food, but aim to make a global appeal. Here are some of the most famous food festivals taking place around the world.Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/famous-food-festivals-around-the-world.html

International Mango FestivalNew Delhi, IndiaHeld in - JulyThis year - June 30 to July 2, 2013

This annual festival is a celebration of everything pertaining to mangoes. It features the different varieties of mango and the various food items that are made from it, like pickle, jam, pulp, jelly, and so on. The festival also holds a number of special events such as mango-eating competitions, mango-tasting event, quiz competitions, and plenty of traditional and folk performances. There is a

huge mango market from where, visitors can buy the mangoes of their choice.Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/famous-food-festivals-around-the-world.html

Ethnicity Vs. RaceThe only prime distinguishing characteristic between race and ethnicity is the physical appearance vs. the customs and traditional beliefs respectively. However, these are two overlapping concepts that have subtle differences. Here, we talk about what sets a person's race apart from his ethnicity.

There has often been a great confusion in an attempt to distinguish race from ethnicity. Often, the two terms are interchangeably used, thereby creating a dilemma in differentiating one from the other. So are ethnicity and race the same thing? No. There are slight differences that set the two apart, though they are related to a certain extent. While race is related to biological characteristics, ethnicity is defined more on the lines of social grouping.

What is Race?Meaning: Race refers to the biological aspects of a person. It comprises the skin color, hair color, eye color, and so on. It even comprises some of the health problems a particular race may be prone to.Who Defines Race: Though this discretion of biological traits has been underlined, it is important to note that the variety of prevalent races have been defined by governments and laws, and not by science.Indicator of Biological Traits: Race does not

involve the behavioral or cultural tendencies of a person, as these are shaped mainly by the environment. If 3 different people belonging to the same race were to be placed in starkly different cultures, they would adapt to the behavior of those cultures and groups. However, their physical characteristics would remain unaltered.Capable of Change: Racial differences, however, can be altered over time, when there is a crossover among different races. As such, race is also vulnerable to change. For instance, if an African-American were to marry a person of Chinese origin, this would lead to a change in the physical characteristics of a child born of this marriage. Thus, further such crossovers would lead to alterations in the race.We all know about racism, and how it has made its mark in history. The Caucasians against the African-Americans, the Germans against the Jews, have led to several bloody wars just for a pure race. Over time, these conflicts have been reduced considerably,

though traces of it still exist until this day.

Some examples of races include the Chinese, the Indians, the Arabs, and the African-Americans.What is Ethnicity?Meaning: Ethnicity refers to the culture, customs and traditions acquired from the environment one belongs to. Ethnic groups are marked by regional differences, and not physical characteristics.Common History: Ethnic groups have a common history, and may even share their language and religion. However, this is not true of every ethnic group.Capable of Change: While races may be altered over generations due to crossovers, the ethnicity of a person can easily change if he chooses to adopt the customs and traditions of another ethnic group.There have been several clashes in history among various ethnic groups, though these have considerably subsided over time. An example is the clash between the Kurds in Iraq (who speak a language called Kurdish,

similar to Arabic), and the Iraqis (who speak Persian).

Some examples of ethnicity include, the Hispanic or the Latin American community, the Kurds in Iraq and Syria, Jews in Germany, the Native Americans in the United States of America. A clear way of understanding the difference between ethnicity and race is this example. We all know that the African-Americans are a race that have emerged from the African continent. While their physical characteristics, such as the shape of their skull, their hair texture and their skin color are similar, the ethnic groups that they have now been divided into are numerous. There are African-Americans, North Africans (following Islam and belonging to Sudan, Somalia, etc.), and Sub-Saharan Africans. Each of these groups have adapted to different customs and traditions pertaining to the region they reside in. Their physical appearance, however, is similar.

A factor in this debate that is common to both race and ethnicity, is the ability to transcend religious barriers. While you may be born into a Christian family, it is not essential that you may follow all the religious traditions that a Christian does. This is true to both race and ethnicity. Thus, we cannot clearly differentiate race vs. ethnicity, and their definitions often overlap each other. While a race and an ethnic group can be similar, as is clear from the example mentioned above, races adapt to the ethnicity of the region they belong to.

By Puja LalwaniLast Updated: 6/15/2012

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Don't MissDifference Between Race and EthnicityRead more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/ethnicity-vs-race.html

Difference Between Ethnicity and NationalityIf you have been trying hard to figure out what's the difference between ethnicity and nationality, with no success whatsoever, the following write-up on this topic will help you get a better understanding of the same.

Ethnicity and nationality are two different concepts; while the term 'ethnicity' refers to membership of a social group with common national or cultural tradition, the term 'nationality' refers to membership of a nation or sovereign state. That being said, there do exist some regions of the world wherein the nationality of an individual is determined on the basis of his ethnicity - instead of citizenship, and this in turn makes it all the more difficult for a layman to understand how these two concepts differ from each other. In order to understand what the difference between ethnicity and nationality is, we need to get a better understanding of each of these two concepts individually.

Ethnicity

Ethnicity refers to the membership of a group which is formed on the basis of common heritage, i.e. common language, common traditions, common religious beliefs, common food preferences etc. If the term ethnicity is used synonymously with the term nationality today, it is only because of the fact that it has been derived from the Greek word 'ethnos' meaning nation. Examples of ethnic groups include African Americans i.e. the residents of America, who trace their origins to the Black population of Africa, Mongolians i.e. those belonging to the nomadic groups of Mongolia, Native Americans whose ancestors inhabited North and South American continents before the Europeans arrived, Zulus who are the tall Negroid people hailing from eastern South Africa, etc.

Even though an individual may belong to a particular race, that doesn't stop him from having multiple ethnic affiliations. Unlike nationality - which is more often associated with political boundaries of the nation,

ethnicity relies heavily on cultural attributes of the society.

Nationality

Nationality can be defined as the relationship that a person shares with the nation that he comes from, and not the nation whose citizenship he has acquired as many people believe. Citizenship of an individual can be determined on the basis of where he was born (jus soli i.e. right of the soil), the citizenship of his parents (jus sanguinis i.e. right of blood) and naturalization (i.e. the procedure by which an alien is granted citizenship of the said nation). On the other hand, the person's nationality - in a true sense, can only be determined on the basis of his birthplace and/or the citizenship of parents. Simply put, if an Indian becomes the legal citizen of the United States, his citizenship will be American, but his nationality will be Indian.

When it comes to the concept of 'nationality',

some of the most prominent examples include American from the United States of America, Indian from India, Afghan from Afghanistan, Brazilian from Brazil, Welsh from Wales, Poles from Poland, etc. More importantly, people with different ethnic backgrounds can be citizens of a particular nation. For instance, African Americans and Native Americans both qualify to be referred to as Americans when they have the citizenship of the United States.

While the information on the difference between nationality and ethnicity given above speaks in volumes about how they differ from each other, there also exist a few more obvious differences between the two. While ethnicity happens to be more of a cultural concept, nationality is considered to be more of a legal concept. Similarly, ethnicity is quite notorious for its association with the concept of racism. Nationality - on the other hand, is considered to be one of the driving factors when it comes to patriotism. Though a single nation can be home to different ethnic

groups, there also exist cases wherein a single ethnic group dominates the entire nation. (Nazi Germany, Islamic countries of Asia, etc., are good examples of the same.)Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/difference-between-ethnicity-and-nationality.html

Strange Customs Around the WorldCustoms and traditions differentiate an ethnic group or a community from others. There is tradition or "way of doing things" for any situation or occasion. Some are amusing, some are interesting and some are downright strange. To learn some strange traditions followed by people around the globe, scroll below.

From bull running to Hara-Kiri, dueling to blackening the bride, there are so many traditions and customs around the world, that run to gauntlet from cute to absurd. And different customs exist for diverse occasions, like marriage rituals and festivals. In this article, take a peek at life around the globe without leaving your seat, with our list of strange customs around the world.

Strange Customs in Europe

Out of approximately 50 countries, Spain is the el líder (leader) among European nations, when it comes to weird traditions. Below are some of the strangest Spanish customs.

♠ La TomatinaA massive food fight, with crushed tomatoes as the weapons of choice. The town of Buñol

runs red with tomato juice, from its citizens and shops to the streets.

♠ Caga TiaThis Christmas custom involves a log, which is hollow and has a cute face painted on one end. You must buy the log on December 8th and it must be "fed" daily. Come Christmas Eve, the log should be placed near the fireplace and "beaten" with a stick. The punishment forces the log to eject nuts, candies and fruits. Its final gift is a garlic bulb or onions or salt herring. There's even an encouraging song to sing along while "beating" the log.

♠ El ColachoThis is the sport of long jumping with a twist. The town of Castrillo de Murcia exorcises their 1 year old inhabitants, by laying them out on a mattress and the devil and his assistant jump over them. This custom is meant to represent the devil running away from the town and taking any evil present in the

infants with him.

Strange Customs in Asia and Australia

☛ While there are infinite marriage customs and traditions in India, one ritual that is amusing and touching is the Kashi Yatra. This takes place at the groom's house, before he arrives at the marriage hall for the ceremony. The groom pretends he wants to be a holy man and live a life of religion, so he decides to go to Kashi (a holy place). His household plays along and helps him collect a walking stick and some bare essentials for the trip. Just as he is about to leave, the bride's father comes and extols the virtues of his daughter and why the groom should marry her. After some good-natured ribbing and laughs on both sides, the groom decides to get married instead and proceeds to the marriage venue.

☛ When meeting someone new or old, a handshake is the norm. But in Middle-Eastern culture, there are different rules when it

comes to greeting someone physically. For example, a man will greet a new or old acquaintance with a kiss on the right cheek, then the left, patting the back or shoulders at the same time. If they know each other but are meeting after a long time, then the greeting is as follows: shake hands, kiss on the right cheek, then the left and finally on the right again.

☛ In Bedouin circles, a rule while accepting tea or coffee is to give a slight shake or jiggle of the empty cup, while returning it, to indicate that you are done and do not want anymore coffee. If you fail to shake the cup, be prepared to keep getting it refilled!

☛ In the land Down Under, the term "B.Y.O" is used in party and get-together invitations. It denotes "Bring your own", which means you are expected to bring your own beverages, alcoholic or not to the event! Some restaurants and eateries allow "BYO"'s, where you can opt for your own alcoholic drinks

instead of purchasing them from the restaurant.

Strange African Customs

♝ The Sebou custom marks the occasion of a newborn and is followed by all religious sects of Egypt. The ceremony takes place seven days, after the birth of the child. A grand feast is prepared, family members from far and wide, friends and neighbors are invited to meet the infant for the first time. Gold jewelry in the form of bracelets, amulets and pendants are given as gifts. The baby is bathed and dressed in new clothes. It is placed in a colander or sieve, which is decorated and the women surround the colander and sing. The colander is gently rocked or shaken while the chanting takes place. The strange part is that, the mother must step over the colander, without touching it, seven times. Meanwhile the other women bang vessels, yell and shout and sing at the top of their voices, making a deafening din.

This ceremony is a sort of cleansing ritual for the newborn, to get rid of evil and bad spirits. All the noise and clamor is to show the newborn, what a nosy and loud world exists out there.

♝ The different tribes of Africa have diverse rituals and customs in all spheres of life. Here are some strange rites for different situations:

♣ At a funeral, children and unmarried adults are barred from entry. Family members stand on one side of the grave and other people on the other side. The family cannot speak at the funeral.

♣ The Baganda tribe of Uganda create or prepare graves for their members, when they are still children!

♣ Lobola is a marriage custom, where the groom and his family have to present gifts or money to his fiancée and her family. Some tribes regard Lobola as a compensation to the

bride's family for taking her away. It is also regarded as a thank you tradition, for the groom to express his gratitude to the bride's family, for blessing their union.

♣ The Masai tribe has a rite of passage custom for boys above 12 years of age. For a boy to become a warrior of the tribe, he must be circumcised. This operation takes place without anesthetic and to show his bravery and strength, the young boy must not flinch or show any pain or emotion. He has to wear black clothes and live apart from his village for 4-8 months. This ceremony is called Emuratare.

What is perfectly normal to some, can seem strange to others, even in the same country. Celebrating the Chinese New Year is a normal festival for New Yorkers but folks from Wisconsin might find it a little weird. From the above different and sometimes weird customs around the world, one thing's for sure, no matter what the occasion, there's a custom or

ritual for it.Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/strange-customs-around-the-world.html

Importance of CultureWhy is culture important? How do cultural values impact living? Read on to find the answers.

Culture refers to the pattern of human activity and the symbols, which give significance to this activity. Culture is represented through the art, literature, costumes, customs and

traditions of a community. Different cultures exist in different parts of the world. The natural environment greatly affects the lifestyle of the people of that region, thus shaping their culture. The diversity in the cultures around the world is also a result of the mindsets of people inhabiting different regions of the world. Why is culture important? Let us try to find out.

The cultural values of a community give it an identity of its own. A community gains a character and a personality of its own, because of the culture of its people. Culture is shared by the members of a community. It is learned and passed from the older generations to the newer ones. For an effective transfer of culture from one generation to another, it has to be translated into symbols. Language, art and religion serve as the symbolic means of transfer of cultural values between generations.

Culture is a bond that ties the people of a

region or community together. It is that one common bond, which brings the people of a community together. The customs and traditions that the people of a community follow, the festivals they celebrate, the kind of clothing they wear, the food they eat, and most importantly, the cultural values they adhere to, bind them together.

Culture is seen as a system of social control, wherein people shape their standards and behavior. The cultural values form the founding principles of one's life. They influence one's principles and philosophies of life. They influence one's way of living and thus impact social life.

The importance of culture lies in the fact that it is a link between people and their value systems.Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/importance-of-culture.html

Australian CultureDown Under, not only is the flora and fauna unique, but also the culture and traditions of the people. Australia is a beautiful land, in a setting that words fail to describe and full of vibrant people. Australian culture is a perfect example of a 'blend' possible by the integration of old and new.

Australia is lovingly referred to as the land 'down under' due to its geographical location. It is the result of the continental drift that took place millions of years ago. As an island set far south on the planet, the country is home

to the most amazing flora and fauna, gorgeous Australian animals, like the kangaroos and koalas and wildlife and human denizens. It ranks amongst the most urbanized populations in the world today.

Australian culture, like that of America, is an amalgamation of different traditions brought along by the early settlers and that of the indigenous Aborigines. The influx has survived colonization and war, establishing the people as pervasive and resilient. Native Australians and the settlers readily accepted the best of Irish, English, Asian, Italian and Greek culture to ripen in a belief system that is not only intriguing, but also fascinating. There is little wonder why the nation is also sometimes referred to as the 'fattest nation!'.

Language

Australia is monolingual. The English language is most widely spoken and the accent of the people has added a distinctive

flavor and vocabulary to the original language. The other languages that co-exist in Australia are Greek, Italian and the Chinese language. The Australian aboriginal languages have survived, but in time they have also joined the 'melting pot of differences' and the outcome is one single indigenous language, with unique dialects and accents.

Art

Australia flaunts universal recognition in filmmaking, music, painting and theater. The traditional culture has been readily and successfully replaced by popular art culture from around the world. There are a number of art galleries, ballet theaters and symphony orchestras and operas in the capital cities. The ancient culture of the natives continues to thrive and co-exist in regional towns. Australia has a history in film production. It is home to the world's first feature film - The Story of the Kelly Gang and continues to attract filmmakers from across the globe even

today. The beautiful locales and warm people are incentives enough for production houses from around the world to invest in Australia.

Architecture

Australian architecture is best flaunted in the iconic Sydney Opera House and the Parliament House in Canberra. Most of the architecture highlights the European style buildings. The traditional wattle and daub huts are still seen in certain areas. There are also a number of tributes to Georgian style and Victorian architecture.

Cuisine

Vegemite is unique to Australia. This nutritious spread can be eaten at any meal. The other food components are pretty much like those seen in most European countries. Beef, pork, lamb and fish are commonly eaten. They love their beer and an assortment of vermouth, too.

Music

Aboriginal culture has spotlighted the didgeridoo. This wooden instrument makes a very distinct droning sound. Aboriginal and non-aboriginal performers are now adopting popular Western musical forms like Yothu Yindi and Archie Roach. The earliest musical influences were brought inland by the free settlers and deported or exiled convicts and sailors. Australian classical music has been influenced by south-east Asian music and musical instruments and American and European music.

Sport

Australians are very fond of sport, both as spectators and participants. Cricket, football, rugby, soccer, motor racing, golf, and horse racing are among the many other sports they enjoy.

They are known to display an attitude and character that is as strong as their beliefs. Their culture and traditions are reinforced in every attempt made to support one another and battle in unison against the elements. Their dress code is largely informal. Its people are supportive of a strong public health system and an education rostrum that stands on the principles of unity, equality, fraternity and necessary legislation.

By Gaynor BoradeRead more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/australian-culture.html

Why is Culture Important?The behavioral patterns of people, their belief systems, their principles of life and their living are derivatives of culture. Why is culture important? Read on to find the answer.

Culture is that invisible bond, which ties the people of a community together. It refers to the pattern of human activity. The art, literature, language and religion of a community represent the community's culture. Culture manifests itself through the lifestyle of the individuals of a community. The moral values of the people of a community also represent their culture. The importance of culture lies in its close association with the living of the people. Different cultures of the world have brought in diversity in the ways of life of the people inhabiting different parts of the world.

Culture is related to the development of one's

attitude. One's culture plays an important role in shaping the principles of the individual's life. The cultural values of an individual have a deep impact on his/her attitude towards life. According to the behaviorist definition of culture, it is the ultimate system of social control where people monitor their own standards and behavior. A community's culture lays the foundation of the living of its people. The cultural values serve as the founding principles of one's life. They shape an individual's thinking and influence his/her mindset.

Culture gives an individual a unique identity. The culture of a community gives its people a character of their own. Culture shapes the personality of a community. The language that a community speaks, the art forms it hosts, its staple food, its customs, traditions and festivities comprise the community's culture. The importance of culture cannot be stressed enough as it is an integral part of living.

By Manali Oak

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What are the Elements of Culture

The elements of a culture are what make it unique, beautiful and intriguing to those who know nothing of it. Learn more about which aspects are highlighted as part of a culture.

There are different types of cultures across the world and each culture has its unique essence. While defining the term 'culture', there are several elements that together constitute as the culture of a particular region or the culture of particular people. We fail to understand what the elements of a culture are, but we can learn more by looking through these:

Language: The various languages are essentially an important part of the culture.

Norms: Every society or every civilization has a set of norms, which are an inseparable part, and an important element of the culture. This can include the folkways, mores, taboos and rituals in a culture.

Values: The social values of a particular civilization are also considered as an element of the culture. The values of a culture often refer to the things to be achieved or the things, which are considered of great worth or value in a particular culture.

Religion and Beliefs: The religion and the beliefs of the people in a civilization play an important role in shaping up of the culture as well.

Social Collectives: Social collectives refer to the social groups, organizations,

communities, institutions, classes, and societies, which are considered as symbolic social constructions.

Status and Role in Society: A status or a social role is nothing but a slot or position within a group or society, which gives an overall idea of the social structure and hence is an important element of culture. This can also include traditional gender-based or age-based roles.

Cultural Integration: This includes the degree of harmony or integration within the various elements of culture. This can include elements like sub-cultures, local cultures and the difference between historical and cultural traditions.

Characteristics of Culture

What is culture and what are its characteristics? What are the basic elements of culture? To find the answers, read on...

Culture refers to the pattern of human activity and the symbols that give significance to these activities. Culture manifests itself in terms of the art, literature, costumes, customs, language, religion and religious rituals. The people and their pattern of life make up the culture of a region. Cultures vary in the different parts of the world. They are

different across the land boundaries and the diversity in cultures results in the diversity in people around the world. Culture also consists of the system of beliefs held by the people of the region, their principles of life and their moral values. The patterns of behavior of the people of a particular region also form a part of the region's culture. The word 'culture' that hails from the Latin word, 'cultura' derived from 'colere', means, 'to cultivate'. Hence the way in which the minds of the masses inhabiting a particular region are cultivated, in someway determines the culture of a region. Let us look at the basic characteristics of culture and its fundamental elements.

Culture is shared, by which we mean that every culture is shared by a group of people. Depending on the region they live in, the climatic conditions they thrive in

and their historical heritage, they form a set of values and beliefs. This set of their principles of life shapes their culture. No culture belongs to an individual. It is rather shared among many people of a certain part of the world. It belongs to a single community and not to any single human being.

Culture is learned. The members of a culture share certain ideals, which shape their lives. Generations learn to follow these ideals and principles. Culture propagates through generations, which adopt their old customs and traditions as a part of their culture. The ideals they base their lives on is a part of their culture. Cultural values are imparted from one generation to another, thus resulting in a continual of traditions that are a part of culture. The language, the literature and the art forms pass across generations. Culture is learned, understood and

adopted by the younger generations of society. No individual is born with a sense of his/her culture. He/she has to learn it.

What are the elements of culture? The language, other forms of expression as also the thoughts and emotions of the people, their social and cultural norms, their principles and beliefs are the basic elements of culture. For an effective transfer of culture from one generation to another, it has to be translated in terms of symbols, which represent the cultural values of a community. Language, art and religion form the system of symbols that render a deep meaning to culture.

Despite the efforts of the older generations to transfer their cultural values to the forthcoming generations, many tend to remain unaware of their culture. People are often found to have an

incomplete knowledge of their culture. People seldom know their culture completely.

A gradual change is characteristic to almost every culture. Cultures are subject to change. Culture loses some of its traits and gains new ones. The aspects of culture that change vary across societies. With the passage of time, new technologies emerge, new modes of work come up, social thinking undergoes transitions and so does culture. Every culture changes in time although the rate of change of every culture varies.

Studies have brought out a fact that no culture can remain in isolation. There is hardly any social community that is completely isolated from the rest of the world. Every culture hence, is mostly influenced by cultures of the surrounding

regions. Cultural values are prone to be affected by the values of communities in close vicinity. The cultures, which emerged during the same periods of time often, show certain similarities. Modern times have witnessed an intermix of cultures. Cultures are blended together giving rise to shared cultures.

I feel that it is our moral responsibility to understand our culture. There is a need to study our cultural values and ideals, which have been shaping our society. It is necessary to have respect and pride for our culture. There is a need to peep into the past that has shaped our present.

Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/characteristics-of-culture.html

What are the Elements of Culture

The elements of a culture are what make it unique, beautiful and intriguing to those

who know nothing of it. Learn more about which aspects are highlighted as part of a culture.

There are different types of cultures across the world and each culture has its unique essence. While defining the term 'culture', there are several elements that together constitute as the culture of a particular region or the culture of particular people. We fail to understand

what the elements of a culture are, but we can learn more by looking through these:

Language: The various languages are essentially an important part of the culture.

Norms: Every society or every civilization has a set of norms, which are an inseparable part, and an important element of the culture. This can include the folkways, mores, taboos and rituals in a culture.

Values: The social values of a particular civilization are also considered as an element of the culture. The values of a culture often refer to the things to be achieved or the things, which are considered of great worth or value in a particular culture.

Religion and Beliefs: The religion and the beliefs of the people in a civilization play an important role in shaping up of the culture as well.

Social Collectives: Social collectives refer to the social groups, organizations, communities, institutions, classes, and societies, which are considered as symbolic social constructions.

Status and Role in Society: A status or a social role is nothing but a slot or position within a group or society, which gives an overall idea of the social structure and hence is an important element of culture. This can also include traditional gender-based or age-based roles.

Cultural Integration: This includes the degree of harmony or integration within the various elements of culture. This can include elements like sub-cultures, local cultures and the difference between historical and cultural traditions.

Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/what-are-the-elements-of-culture.html

Different Cultures of the WorldThe different cultures of the world are the essence of various human civilizations, which we have come to acknowledge on a global level and revere as part of each nation's core beliefs and traditions.

One's culture is an amalgamation of so many different elements like history, art, cuisine, language and many other tangible and non-tangible aspects. Studying a single culture in-depth requires immense effort and time to fathom the core values and fundamentals.

Different Cultures of the World in a Nutshell

African Culture

The continent of Africa is a vast one and it contains as many as 53 countries. Although essentially similar these countries in Africa have some subtle differences in their culture.

African Tribes: There are a number of African tribes in the African continent. The Afar tribes are found in Ethiopia, Djibouti and Somalia. The Anlo-Ewe tribes were once inhabitants of Notsie, from where they migrated in 1474 and are currently found in the southeastern areas of Republic of Ghana. The Amhara tribes are found in Ethiopia, Ashanti tribes in central Ghana, Bakongo tribes along the Atlantic coast and the Bambara tribes are located in Mali. The Bemba tribes are located in Zambia, the Berber tribes in Morocco,

Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Egypt. The Bobo tribes are found in western Burkina Faso and Mali. The Bushmen tribes are located in the Kalahari Desert. The Chewa tribes are located in Zambia, Malawi and Zimbabwe. The Dogon tribes live in southeastern Mali and Burkina Faso. Some other tribes found in Africa are the Fang tribe, Fon, Fulani, Ibos, Kikuyu, Maasai, Mandinka, Pygmies, Samburu, Senufo, Tuareg, Wolof, Yoruba and Zulu.

African Religions: There are two major religions in Africa and hence most of the Africans adhere to either Christianity or Islam. Many adherents of both Islam and Christianity also follow African traditional religions.

African Arts: African art has certain themes that are repeated throughout all the art forms, be it painting, pottery or any other handicrafts. Some of the subjects that are commonly portrayed are

couples, the depiction of woman and a child, a male with a wild animal or the portrayal of an outsider. According to African culture, the depiction of the couples represents ancestors or even community founders. Often there is also depiction of twins. However the representation of the couple is rarely the kind to show sexual intimacy or loves, more often it depicts strength and honor. The portrayal of the woman and her child represents mother earth and the child represents the people living on the earth. The portrayal of the male with the weapon or with a horse is usually representing the power or status conferred upon that man. Finally the portrayal of the stranger represents a foreigner or an outsider. In ancient African culture, the stranger was not welcome and there always existed a gap between the stranger and the African people in the pictures. In the African culture, the songs are used as a mode of communication. Melodies in African music

are organized within a scale of four, five, six or seven tones. Common musical instruments used in African music are drums, slit gongs, double-bells, rattles, harps, musical hows, xylophone, flutes and trumpets. Drums are particularly popular which explains the use of several different types of drums like - tama talking drums, bougarabou, djembe, water drums and the ngoma drums.

African Languages: There are close to 2000 languages spoken throughout Africa. All these languages can be broadly categorized into four major categories, which are Afro-Asiatic languages, Nilo-Saharan languages, Niger-Congo languages and the Khoisan languages. Some of the Nilo-Saharan languages are Kanuri, Songhay, Nubian, and the Nilotic family languages, which include Luo, Dinka, and Maasai. The Niger-Congo languages include the Bantu and Niger-Kordofanian language families. The

Khoisan language family includes around thirty languages categorized into five Khoisan families. In addition to the aforementioned languages, there are also certain non-African languages as well as a large number of sign languages.

African Clothing: Vibrant colors have always been a prominent feature of the African clothing. A near eastern influence is evident in countries like Egypt where the Jellabiya is worn. The Dashiki is a very colorful men's garment that covers the upper half of the body, while the traditional female attire is called a Kaftan, which is a loose-fitting pullover garment, usually with an embroidered V-shaped collar. The Boubou, Tuareg, and Mitumba are some other common traditional costumes found in the African countries.

African Cuisine: The African cuisine is a beautiful concoction of tropical fruits and vegetables as well as the exotic seafood

varieties. There are various regional differences in the African cuisine. For instance the Central African cuisine is influenced by the plants grown in the region which chiefly include plantains, cassava, spinach stew, peppers, chilies, onions, okra, ginger and peanut butter. Meat preparations containing crocodile, monkey, warthog and antelopes are also found at times. The East African cuisine rarely features meat forms and includes corn, rice, saffron, cloves, cinnamon, tomatoes, pineapple, orange, lemon and bananas. The North African cuisine owing to the Turkish influence has inclusion of several popular pastries and other bakery items. The southern Africa, owing to its Malay influence includes spicy chutneys and curries and marinated kebabs and sweets savories in its cuisine. On the other hand typical West African meal includes a large number of starchy items and a relatively less number of meat products.

African Festivals: In addition to the traditional Muslim festivals like Ramadan, Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha and other universal festivals like New Year celebration and Christmas there are several other festivals in Africa. Many of the African festivals are oriented around the farming and harvesting cycles. Some of these popular festivals include Kwanzaa, Yam Festival, Adae Kese festival, Festival of Opet, Homowo, Sed festival and the Osirian festival.

Chinese Culture: Find extensive information about Chinese Culture

Japanese Culture: Find extensive information about Japanese Culture

Greek Culture: Read information about the Greek Culture

Egyptian Culture:Read information about the Egyptian Culture

Mayan Culture: Read information about Mayan Culture

Culture of Colombia: Read information about Culture of Colombia

Dominican Republic Culture: Read information about Culture of Dominican Republic

Jamaican Culture Read information about Jamaican Culture

Mexican Culture: Read information about Mexican Culture

South Asian Culture: Read information about South Asian Culture

American Culture

The land of apple pie and baseball - the United States of America. Of course we all

know there is more to America than apple pie and baseball. Here is more about the culture of USA.

American People: The American society is a blend of native Americans as well as a large number of immigrants from various countries like Ireland, Germany, Poland, Italy, Latin America, Asia and Africa. Having gone through a phase of racial discrimination, the United States of America today recognizes four races in the country - Native American, African-American, Asian and European American.

Religions in America: The majority of United States includes Protestant Christians. The percentage of Catholics is slightly less than the Protestants. In addition to this, USA being a secular state, a number of people have also adopted other religions like Judaism, Hinduism, Islam and Buddhism.

American Arts: In the early years American art and literature took most of its ideas and influences from European artists. During the late eighteenth century and the early nineteenth centuries, American paintings primarily included landscapes and portraits in a realistic style. The industrial revolution was responsible for new influences thereafter. American literature is also known for development of popular literary genres such as hardboiled crime fiction. As far as dance is concerned, USA has its share of dance varieties like the trademark Lindy Hop and its derivative Rock and Roll. There is also the modern square dance and the modern dance. In addition to this, there is a wide influence of several African-American dances.

Languages in America: United States of America does not have an official national language as such. However the majority of American population speaks English.

Owing to the large number of immigrants from Spain, Spanish is the second-most common language in America. In addition to this, some other languages that exist owing to the immigrants are German, Polish, Italian and Greek.

American Clothing: In general terms, American clothing is diverse and predominantly informal. One of the most popular pieces of clothing that originated in America was the 'Blue jeans', which were touted as 'work clothes' in the 1850s by an immigrant merchant called Levi Strauss.

American Cuisine: Like every other cultural element, the American cuisine too has a strong European influence. The commonly used ingredients in American cooking are subject to change as you move from one region to the other. Some of the popular preparations in the American cuisine are the American pie,

banana split, brownies, corn dogs, crab cakes, hamburgers, clam chowder, lobster, hotdogs, New-York style cheesecake and the Italian-influenced pizza.

American Festivals: In addition to the traditional Christmas, Good Friday and New Year celebrations, Americans also celebrate various other festivals like Hanukkah, Thanksgiving, Easter, Halloween, St.Patrick's Day, Mardi Gras, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kipper. You can also read more about Native American Culture and American Pop Culture.

Italian Culture: Read information about Italian Culture

Irish Culture: Read information about Irish Culture

French Canadian Culture: Read more about French Canadian Culture

Hong Kong Culture: Read more about the Hong Kong Culture

Culture of Peru: Find information about the Culture of Peru

Samoan Culture: Read information about the Samoan Culture

South-Korean Culture: Read more about the South Korean Culture

Malaysian Culture: Find extensive information about Malaysian Culture

Egyptian Culture: Intrigued by the land of pyramids? Find out about Egyptian Culture

Indian Culture

India is known for its spicy curries and healing techniques of Yoga, however there is much more the Indian culture has to

offer. Indian culture has its roots in the Indus valley Civilization from where it witnessed the Vedic Age. India then witnessed the rise and decline of Buddhism, the Muslim invasions and the European colonization. Here is a brief attempt to give you an insight into the Indian culture.

Indian Religions: India is a secular country, which includes a diverse population, with various religions. Some of the prominent religions followed in India remain to be Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism, Islam and Christianity.

Indian Art: Indian art essentially goes hand in hand with the cultural history, religion and fundamental Indian philosophies. The rock carvings, Chola fresco paintings, Madhubani paintings are some instances of ancient Indian art. Indian Music is also a prominent element of Indian culture which traditionally includes Carnatic and

Hindustani music.

Indian Festivals: India has a wide variety of festivals and celebrations originating from the numerous religions that co-exist in India.

Celtic Culture: Read information about Celtic Culture

Gothic Culture: Read information about Gothic CultureRead more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/different-cultures-of-the-world.html

Cultural RelativismIt is very important, especially in the volatile circumstances today, to understand the concept of cultural relativism in essence. The whole concept involves interpreting beliefs and activities from within the terms of the governing culture.

The principle of cultural relativism was first established and explained by Boaz Franz in the first half of the 20th century. Anthropologists began effectively using the term and summarizing the understood synthesis around the involvement of the concept specific to certain methodologies and epistemological claims. However, the ethical stance in the application of meaning to beliefs and activities observed is a matter of debate. The German philosopher Kant strongly propagated that human beings are not capable of

assimilating knowledge of the world directly or without a medium. He believed that all our experiences are universally structured perceptions, in accordance to the concerning time and space. The idea of cultural relativism is best understood as ethnocentrism or the group being the center of everything, including the rostrum for judging other groups.

On one hand, humans have salvaged distinct cultural forms of life over the recent past and yet at the same time, there is a strong scientific intention for the refusal to accept the perception of homogenization. Cultural relativism, many a time, takes the form of ethnocentrism, where we believe that our understanding of known art is the most beautiful and our values are the most virtuous. It cannot be denied that the known culture does mediate and limit our perception of things. Culture needs to be understood as that which is beyond food, art and music and

religion; it is the complete sum of our mental and physical reactions and activities. These mental and physical reactions characterize our behavior and it is from this common characterization that we form social groups, with each individual continuing to be exclusively 'himself'.

Issues in the Application

When considering cultural relativism, it is important to first and foremost escape the bonds of our own and known culture. This is essential for an unbiased perception and reaction to the 'ways' of the world. This also helps us to make sense of any unfamiliar culture and develop heuristic strategies. If correctly applied, cultural relativism can transform the original epistemology into a methodological lesson for all the people of the world. The most common application is in the case of language, as a means of communication

and categorizing experiences. Human judgments are based on experience, which is interpreted by each individual differently, within the conditions of his or her own enculturation.

Importance

In the extremely volatile world today, it is important to conduct scientific research on existent cultures and employ methods to escape the limits of ethnocentrism. This is best achieved by living with people of other cultures and getting enculturated within the new culture in good time. Cultural relativism is an attitude and focuses on the importance of the local understanding of the meaning of particular beliefs and activities. Thus, it establishes the relativity of the part to the whole (universe).

Cultural Relativism brings about a comparison and contrast of cultures, in a

systematic manner. This systematic manner was employed previously to classify artifacts and biological organisms, taking the evolution from the crudest to the most refined. It is however, essential to consider that the object of study is the individual and each ethnological specimen should be individually identified. It is very necessary to be aware of the diversity of cultures around the world and the tremendous range of variations. The study of customs and beliefs and culture should have no preferential weighting and should consider all variant forms and possible conditions. The understanding of humanity should ideally be based on varied samples of cultures, different from that which is known. Cultural relativism is a tool for unbiased critique; a reflection of our known ways. It helps us to re-examine and correct our taken-for-granted assumptions and bias on cultures and people of the world. The critical function of cultural relativism is to admit that the ground for

judgment on other cultures comes from a kind of illusion.

By Gaynor BoradeRead more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/cultural-relativism.html

What is Culture?Culture is a complex system of behavior, values, beliefs, traditions and artifacts, which is transmitted through generations. Let us discover the meaning of culture, and its significance in the life of an individual and society.

Without culture, and the relative freedom it implies, society, even when perfect, is but a jungle. This is why any authentic creation is a gift to the future. ~ Albert Camus

Culture is a learned pattern of behavior, and is a way in which a person lives his life. It is an integral part of every society, and creates a feeling of belonging and togetherness among the people of that society. Culture encompasses various aspects of communication, attitude, etiquette, beliefs, values, customs, norms, food, art, jewelry, clothing styles, etc. Every society has a different culture, which gives it an identity and uniqueness.

In spite of the vast cultural diversity, there are certain elements of culture that are universal. They are known as cultural universals, which comprise certain

behavioral traits and patterns that are shared by all cultures around the world. For instance, classifying relations, having some form of art and music, use of jewelry, classifying people according to gender and age, etc., are common in all cultures of the world.

Definitions'Culture' is considered to be a complex term, and a variety of anthropologists and researchers have defined it in various ways. Some of these definitions have been listed below.

✍ Culture is that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, customs and other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society. ~ Edward Tylor

✍ Culture embraces all the manifestations of social habits of a community, the reactions of the individual as affected by

the habits of the group in which he lives, and the product of human activities as determined by these habits. ~ Franz Boas

✍ Culture is what makes you a stranger when you're away from home. ~ Philip Bock

✍ Culture is a well-organized unity divided into two fundamental aspects -- a body of artifacts and a system of customs. ~ Bronislaw Malinowski

✍ Culture is the collective programming of the mind distinguishing the members of one group or category of people from another. ~ Geert Hofstede

ManifestationsLloyd Kwast's model of culture, and his 'Man from Mars' technique help us to get a better understanding of culture through the different levels or layers through which culture is manifested. In this

technique, we try to imagine things from the perspective of a Martian (or an alien) who has landed onto our planet, and is observing a group of people in an enclosure. The different levels of understanding have been depicted and described below:

Kwast Model of CultureBehavior - What is done?

The first thing the alien notices is the behavior of the people and their activities, dressing style, attitudes, etc. Some people may be standing, some sitting and may be listening to a person, some might be playing, etc. By simply observing these activities he is unable to understand the logic behind them.

Values - What is good or best?

On asking them about the reasons for

their activities, he comes to know that people chose to indulge in activities that are considered good. This differentiation of good or best comes from 'values'. Values represent the duties or activities that one 'ought to do' or 'should do' to be in sync with the pattern of life.

Beliefs - What is true?

On further interrogation he realizes that these values are not decided arbitrarily but stem from 'beliefs'. He finds out that certain beliefs (operating beliefs) greatly influence the values and behavior, whereas certain beliefs (theoretical beliefs) have very less practical impact on values and behavior. Hence, certain people may have a different set of beliefs but behave in a similar manner, and vice versa.

Worldview - What is real?

The deepest level of understanding that forms the basis for a particular set of beliefs is 'worldview'. Worldview implies the way we interpret reality, and refers to the way we see ourselves, relative to the world. It includes the ideas behind the meaning and reasons for human existence, the notions of evil, divine and supernatural.

CharacteristicsCulture is learned from the people surrounding us, our parents, guardians, relatives, etc. The distinct set of beliefs, values, traditions and behavior is passed down through generations. It is a collective phenomenon, and cannot exist in isolation in a single individual. It is shared at various levels, namely national, regional, gender, generation, corporate, social class, etc., but is also rich in diversity. Residents of a nation share certain aspects, whereas different regions within the nation have their own unique

blend of beliefs, values and styles, and so on.

Culture is cumulative and dynamic. The culture of any particular group is constantly evolving and undergoing slow changes. Each generation brings along a new set of changes and developments in the culture of that society. Moreover, long-term exposure to different cultures leads to the exchange of certain cultural aspects.

SignificanceThe knowledge necessary for survival, and adaptation to our natural and social environment, is acquired through culture. Culture is what imbibes into us the knowledge of good and bad, acceptable and non-acceptable, socializing, etc. Knowingly or unknowingly, it plays a major role in shaping our personality and behavior. Each individual has a distinct and unique personality. However, within a

group, there exist certain regularities in behavior. This can be attributed to the culture in which they grow up. In addition, culture also influences our perception of reality and worldly concepts. Our interpretations of the actions and events around us are molded by our culture. It forms the basic foundation of our life and behavior.

Animal CultureTwo schools of thought exist as far as the question of culture in animals is concerned. Some people believe that humans are the only living beings who follow a culture. However, others argue that culture, being a learned pattern of behavior, is exhibited by animals and birds as well. Knowledge regarding the environment, survival strategies, mating strategies, etc., is transmitted from one generation to the other. Certain animals have developed languages for communication and interactions with each

other. Animals are also known to co-ordinate their activities and execute predatory strategies. All these attributes are suggestive of the existence of culture among animals.

Culture implies the overall way of life for a group of individuals. It is the glue that binds people together, and enables them to adapt, survive, and live together in harmony.

By Deepa KarthaLast Updated: 11/1/2012

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Don't MissDifferent Cultures of the WorldWhy is Culture Important?Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/what-is-culture.html