Anthropology of Culture - Essay Example

Dwight Read Anthropology 131 March 21, Anthropology of Culture The concept of culture is frequently related to the people, places, folk tales and norms. Hence it shows how assembled a culture is; when people organize customs and then rigorously practice them. Culture comprises behavior, laws and skills; thus it helps to understand the view point of natives and their beliefs. Levi- Struss, an anthropologist writes about culture and its relation with nature and behavior. Man, an intellectual animal, has made the division consisting upon sex and age since the beginning of times; therefore it directly develops subdivision of behavior and labor. Specific jobs allotted to men and women, who according to their natural skills and behavior; fulfill them. People make culture through their inclinations and behavior. The most influencing human beings in any society impose their thoughts; not only through their words but also through their actions; which they believe in. Literature and arts depict the deep understanding and believes; in a cultural system. This not only provides the formula of kinship but also determines the prohibitions in different scenarios. Incest prohibition; for an instance is a natural law or a socio-cultural decorum, developed later, anthropologist and ethno historians’ researches show perplexed statements about it. However, it is present since the oldest times, Huron people prohibited cousin marriage. Communication of thoughts and ideas conveyed from one generation to the other defines the general behavior or attitude of people in a cultural system. Levis ideology may sound obscure at the time it was presented, but as the time passed; it became essentially acceptable by Anthropologist of modern era. Ethics and behavior play a great role in balancing a society. Norms act as unspoken rules and therefore people obey them to sustain the balance. People try to understand these customs through their close relations. Therefore relations are necessary for people to understand a cultural system. People usually assert age or sex in mind to judge or predict; less understood relations. Levi didn’t use the notion of relations directly, but used nature and culture which molds a person in a certain cultural system. Nature doesnt nourish what requires by a society; but culture does make a person aware of implications around or on him. Although the importance of relationships, especially blood relations and their direct impact through interaction with other kin of the family may effect adversely if they are not structurally in correct order. However, the incest is not understood by animals. Opposite genders and colors depict numerous distinguishing qualities for people to understand others. They act as unspoken signs to understand the traits or behaviors of the other person or race in subject. A kinship of father and son describes either teaching and learning; or ruling and obeying phenomena. It describes the age factor and it impacts. Spradley and Mann present their view point about culture, which is easily understandable and can be seen all around. Every human in a group has a capability to show or tell the magnitude of his existence. Therefore, this process further leads to development of ethics, norms and laws in a specific culture. Like the culture of Inuits of the Arctic, they lived under -30 degree Celsius but developed a culture of their own, which still has distinguishing features from the others. Their clothing made by animal’s skin and food from seal in the harsh climate; asked for a different life style. Thus they acquired necessary skills of hunting and survival methods accordingly. Strange environment and natural realities not always work with the sought intuition and therefore societies are born, with a set of norms and ethics to maintain the harmony. People all around the world, appreciate their values and customs and eye others with suspicion and apprehension. The basic life style taught or shown in the early years of life leave an embarking difference on individuals. Culture is a learned set of behavior, which enables a person to act according to certain expectations. Therefore, a person who tries to have a deeper understanding of more than one culture is considered as fluent in comprehending notions of them confidently. Violence, death, poverty, racial discrimination and disparity are directly linked to the culture and thus people expect to be treated according to it. A simple handshake depicts different meaning to people from different cultures. All around the world discrimination due to gender difference has minimized but still countries in Asia, possess norms and customs where it is impolite to offer a hand shake to a lady. Although, due to globalization culture of the world has been mainly dominated by U.S or European countries, but significantly there are cultures, which comply completely on their norms. People who migrate from their home land take their culture along with them. These cultural differences in clothing, food, family and communication are quite evident. Hence, one tries to adapt the new customs along with them reinforces his own where ever they seem adequate. Spradley and Mann describe human nature and the expected response towards his culture, as logical and natural. Never a person condemns himself wrong, if a custom of his culture shows heterosexuality as a legal and acceptable act. Therefore, the act of polygamy is rightfully accepted in Sudan or in Kohistan; but it is considered illegal in Canada and United States. Asserting cultures through various perspectives can be very acknowledging; it not only shows the significant difference but also describes the logic and history behind them. Mainly it tells why a certain group of people, in specific region; behave in a definite manner. Tibet due to its geological position ascertains culture which seems fascinating and yet compelling at the same time. The harsh climate has made huge impact on their food and clothing. Yet dancing is not only encouraged on social occasion but it has a deep connection with religion also. However, the hospitability and warmth these people enclose; is hereditary. The behavior and rigorous obedience to the norms made them unique. Due to its geographical location it contains strong influence of other cultures like China, Nepal and India. Myths related to animals and kings and faith in spirituality is seen most commonly. Monks and their rituals; show the consistency and unshakable faith they have received from one generation to the other. Durham’s theory of culture distinguishes behavior from it. He describes culture as a restricted system which establishes behavior patterns, but this system can only describe culture; it can not predict behavior at any time. Environment and genes foretell a lot about culture it self. Culture itself has a language, which is easily conveyed generally and learned symbolically. Durham’s idea of cultural evolution is based on two essential methods, interaction with environment and adapting according to it and espousing other cultures in the surrounding. His theory furthermore explains the factor through which a culture is easily spread. Choice and imposition play vital roles in extending cultural heritage rapidly. Choice as a parent can not be given but as a child imposition, instills culture in him. Thus cultural evolution expands mainly due to imposition. Therefore, it inculcates many underlying qualities with it, especially self- assortment. Culture is easily understood as information accumulated in human brain through social interaction and genetic process. In Lamalera (Indonesia), whale hunting requires large crew, boats and mainly cooperation from all at the same time. If the ground rules for the hunt; are not clear and people are hesitant to play their part in the process’ then success seems a day dream to them. The need of cooperation developed various fair norms for the participants to act upon. These norms become a part of culture and show evolutionary results if practiced consistently in different societies of the world. Keeping in mind Durham’s view of choice, Tongans’ culture depicts their ambitious aim regarding literacy. Their choice is seen as a constant struggle for the betterment of their offspring, on the other hand imposition of parameters due to gender and age are still active in families. Brothers and sisters are not encouraged to discuss topics like sex or sleep in the same house. Though due to globalization it is less restricted now but it shows the hierarchy of the land. Lee Cronk does not agree with culture as a part of set behavior; consequently he describes it as a social transition of information, which is readily understood through the pattern of behavior. He declared in his research that man has a tendency for favoritism and therefore he has evolved human tendency of choice. Thus culture becomes a science of understanding human priorities. It is mainly linked to the system which is present before hand and afterwards the dominating choice of species around sustains the ground rules for a culture. Ecuador is a blend of several cultures. Their festivals and music is highly influenced from Spain, and Africa. Dress code determines to the natives which cast a person belonged to. African, European and various settlers came to Ecuador and enriched the culture with diversities. The basic intuition of acceptance enables expansion of cultural diversities and sustains them simultaneously. Bibliography: Morrison, R B, and C R. Wilson. Ethnographic Essays in Cultural Anthropology: A Problem-Based Approach. Itasca, Ill: F.E. Peacock Publishers, 2002. Print. Read More