Culture

In this post the writer will talk about culture, the examples of it, and types of cultures.

From an anthropological perspective, culture designates the way of life of a certain people or group. Culture is reflected in all areas:

• Language
• Religion
• Sexual division of labor
• Marriage rules
• Cuisine
• Taboo rituals
• History
• Manners
• Arts
• Clothing 
• Style of music
• Medicine
• Sacred views
• Mourning ritual, etc. 

Below is the example of culture in Central Java.

  

Language	Javanese (Hanacaraka)
Dominant Religion	Kejawen
Marriage Rules	Arranged marriage, monogamy
Cuisine	Gudeg
Clothing	Kebaya
Arts	Wayang Golek
Medicine	Jamu
Government	Monarchy
Music Style	Gamelan
Housing Architecture	Joglo

Phenomenologits argue that people are formed by their culture. According to the nurture law, one’s individuality is shaped by its surroundings. In this case, phenomenologists see that the individuality of a person is shaped by the culture where one lives in. Take two tribes from Indonesia as an example; Java and Batak. Javanese people are commonly acknowledged as calming and caring individuals, whereas Batak people are recognized as stiff people and manage to shout often.

Cultural Learning

Ancient Egypt Cave Painting

To learn about culture is to learn about the accumulation of knowledge in that society. Culture is learnt through the system of enculturation; it is transmitted from generation to generation ancient Egypt passes their culture; earlier generation draws their life on rough surfaces (such as rocks and caves), whilst the next generation studies and applies culture from it.

Culture is also learned through many forms of symbols. Ever saw this picture on the right? That is how ancient Egypt passes their culture; earlier generation draws their life on the rock, whilst the next generation studies and applies culture from it. Culture is also learned through direct instruction and observation; it is absorbed both consciously and unconsciously. Like a mother teaching her married daughter about marriage rules, or a foreign man observing language spoken by a strange society.

There are three forms of culture:

• International Culture refers to practices which are common to an identifiable group extending beyong the boundaries of one culture. 
• National Culture refers to the experiences, beliefs, learned behavior patterns, and values shared by citizens of the same nation. 
• Subculture is identifiable cultural pattern existing within larger cultures.

Culture and Globalization

Globalization is defined as the process where people across the world increasingly interlinked and become mutually dependent towards each other. It is brought to the world’s face through economic and political aspect. Globalization allows people from different cultures to bring their cultures up and blend it one another. As the process of globalization takes place in many regions, this process later results in fading of the original culture and gives birth to new culture as a replacement.

Information gathered from many sources:

• Bina Nusantara Presentation "Human Diversities 1" slides 72-98
• Lechte, John. Key Contemporary Concept. SAGE Publications London, 2003. ISBN 0 7619 6534 3.

Image Sources: 

• gudegkeprabon.wordpress.com
• www.ancientscripts.com
• www.realmagick.com
• www.deviantart.com
• www.putraindonesiamalang.or.id
• pinsalabim.blogspot.com
• ayoberbagi.com
• news.bbc.co.uk