Social Studies homework on Culture

Gone were our high school days where we usually recite Culture on a daily basis. Those recitation made the definition sink in our brain that we hardly forget even in our dreams. We would recite it every now and then till the exams day. We recited it as;

Culture is the totality way of life of the people

This definition is very correct no doubt but it has deep roots which I'll explain.

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Culture is seen as the total way of life of people and this way of life includes shared beliefs, customs, values, artifacts, behavior and morals passed on from generation to generation. Culture shapes the way we interact with others, the way we perceive the world in general, the way we live and our identity and the likes of them. For example;

The Igbos serve their visitors kolanuts and garden eggs. This is their culture and it thus have meaning to them.

Culture comprises many things
which includes;

• Norms: This is an important component of culture as it guides the activities of individuals of a particular culture. Norms are those formal or informal rules, obligations and expectations that guide an individual's behavior in a culture. It is usually unwritten and it dictate everything from how people dress to how they live.

An Igbo man can't wear a Yoruba dress to a traditional marriage in that culture. They have their mode of dressing which they cherish and they have rules and obligation which individuals must abide by.

• Values: These are principles and beliefs that are generally accepted in a society and a particular culture consider as important. These values include qualities that shape the way people work, live and do certain things.

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• Language: To be frank, this is the most important component as each culture has their distinctive language that makes them unique and stsnd out among others. This vary from countries to states, to local governments and communities. This component allows people to communicate with one another and as well share ideas.

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• Symbols: are objects or images that have meaning in a particular culture. These symbols convey ideas, values and emotions and are mostly used to represent something. For example, the national flag. That flag is Nigeria's symbol and they are identified by that symbol.

In as much we aren't born with a particular culture, we learn it and tend to adapt to it. Here are five characteristics of culture

• Culture can be shared: As I defined at the onset, Culture is not individual based but shared among members of a group or society and these shared culture connects people to one another.

• Culture is learned: It's very true culture is learned as nobody was born with it or inherited it. It is learned through interaction and socialization through family, friends, education etc.

• Culture is diverse: We have different culture ranging from the Ibibio Culture to the Hausa. It varies across space and social groups. For example, Hausa, Igbo Yoruba etc.

• Culture is symbolic: Culture consist of symbolic representation which can take the form of dance, art, language, music, gestures and dramas wgich allow us communicate and express ourselves.

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In summary, culture as a diverse entity can be shared, learn and integrated. So we should value our culture irrespective of what may come as a barrier.

Cc,
@udyliciouz
@steemkidss