How Themed Festivals Contribute to Society and Culture within Contemporary Society - Example

Festival and Culture Name Course Name and Code Instructor’s Name Date Executive Summary This paper entails a discussion of the relationship between festivals and culture. It also shows how themed festivals, special events or carnivals contribute to society and culture within contemporary society. Culture is presented in different ways; through communication, events, festivals, celebrations, dressing and also religion. The paper focuses on the Islamic religious practices which basically add more weight on the culture of the Muslims as compared to other religions through their different cultural practices. It also shows the relationship between culture and communication. Communication differs according to the culture of the people that are involved. This is why some expression has different meanings to people of different cultural background. The papers show how important festival or event management is especially in the contemporary society where there are so many cross-cultural activities. Table of Contents Executive Summary 2 Table of Contents 3 Introduction 4 How themed festivals, special events or carnivals contribute to society and culture within contemporary society 4 Conclusion 10 Reference 11 Introduction Carnivals, special events and themed festivals contribute greatly to the culture and the society within the contemporary society. Some activities like the festivals are referred to as artefacts which are not consumed and produced but are just accorded some meanings through their activate incorporation into the lives of people (Alfred & Clyde, 2008). This means that the consumption of these festivals explains the fact that they have a fundamental role in the contribution to everyday’s life and to the culture. Festivals in the society assimilate a great concept of conviviality, inclusiveness, cultural democracy and participation. All societies as part of their culture have festivals and special events which are important (Alfred & Clyde, 2008). How themed festivals, special events or carnivals contribute to society and culture within contemporary society Most cultures which have been in existence for the last many generations are shaped by the influences the indigenous people get from the migrants. An example is the culture of the British people, which has been influenced by the migrants moving to Britain from Caribbean (Bhagat et el, 2002). The most influence was felt in terms of music and arts. Before the 20th century the migrants from the Caribbean were very few hence the Caribbean cultural influence was not felt very much. Later, they migrated in large numbers such that the Caribbean culture in terms of customs, religion and language were imported. The influences in Europe have undergone some changes so that it can fit well ion different climate, landscape as well as society. It has borrowed so much from the Asian and African cultures. The world has come up with a way to appreciate the diversity of culture. There is a world cultural festival which is celebrated once in a while. This festival brings more than two hundred participants from all over the world who share different cultures (Sosik & Jung, 2002). The relationship of culture festivals to the society is explains mainly through the following means; use of the festivals, the roles of the festivals, cultural democracy, the active participation of the society or religious members, media and cultural tourism. Cultural democracy is composed of a set of some related commitment namely; Promotion and protection of the cultural diversity as well as the rights to the culture for every person in the society as well as around the world. Encouragement of active participation especially in the community’s cultural life Enabling the people in the community to participate in the decision making and especially if policies are involved that affect the people’s quality of their culture Assuring equitable and fair access to the resources and support that are cultural All of the above commitment entails incorporations of festivals as well as their practice in the use of festivals. These festivals are usually cultural artefacts but are not just bought and then consumed but they are incorporated as part of the lives of people. This means that the role of festivals is very important in the contribution to the everyday life of people and culture. Most of the festivals began simply as religious celebrations but later evolved to be great celebrations with specific themes such that they are repeated during some specific times of the year as a routine (Chris, 2003.). Different festivals are used to identify the evolvement of some of the popular events that are practiced by some religions like Islam. An example is the five pillars of Islam which are explained in details below. The five pillars of Islam refer to the duties that are mandatory to every single person that identifies or himself or herself with the religion of Islamic. They are referred to as the pillars because they are what unites them together and also gives them a sense of belonging. These five pillars are as follows: faith profession or Shahadah, prayers or salat, fasting or sawm, giving alms or Zakat which is done during Ramadan, Mecca pilgrimage or Hajj. These duties are mandatory to every Muslim which means that one has to do them. At times, they do them regularly while others must be done by someone at least once in their life time. Each of the pillars plays a different role in uniting the Muslims together. Shahadah for instance is a pillar that means one has to the religion. It dictates that no matter where one is he or she must confess Mohammad as the messenger that God has appointed for them. Also they recognize Ala as their only God. Therefore, when one is in the midst of another religion is quiet very comfortable knowing that at least someone else confesses the same religion as he or she does. There is also a sense of equality among them in the sense that they are all taught to that before their God who is Allah (Ibrahim, 2007). They are equal. Also they are because of the day they go to worship, they feel a sense of unity since they get to meet with each other and mingle. The fact that one has a group of other who are professing the same faith with him or her, gives a lot of trust in them. This is because there is a lot they share in common in what they believe. There is a sense of confidence in sharing something together. There are dos and don’ts in as far as the religion is concerned. Therefore, as they play the role of being each others keepers or each others sisters they get to feel close to one another. Also in an event of one of them getting into trouble with the people of other religions, they are there to defend their brother or their sister against such violation. When that happens, then a sense of unity is created among themselves. Salah which refers to the prayers that are made by every Muslim on a daily basis are very instrumental in installing a sense of unity among them. As the Muslims recite these prayers, they are reminded of the importance of other people in the world who also confess the same religion. This is especially because of the way they go about the prayers. They are supposed to declare peace facing all sides of the world meaning that by just uttering those words they are then, uniting themselves. Also the issue of unity comes in due to the fact that each of the Muslim is meant to say the prayers five times a day and these are also different prayers namely: Duhr, a prayer that is made at noon, Fajr, a prayer that is said early in the morning at sunrise, then Asr which is said in afternoon, then there is Maghrib which is usually said at sunset and lastly a prayer called Isha which is said in the evening (Sue, 1999). The time for saying these prayers is very universal, this means that for instance in a country or an institution where there is diversity in religions the Muslims due to the fact that they can gather together to say these prayers, are in a position to feel the unity among them. Also it is during this particular time of prayers that all the Muslims no matter which country they are feels that at least, they are doing something in common. The fact that they are all engaged in the same activity also helps them to feel a sense of unity among themselves. Zakat on the other hand being the act of giving out some alms to the less fortunate people in the society is actually another way in which the Muslims feel they are united. It is an act that is obligated to every single one of them as far as they are capable of doing it. They have taken it as a sense of personal responsibility in that it is their duty to share what they have with the less fortunate people in the society. Since, it means that one has to at least spend 2.5% of what he or she has then it means that since the first priority is given to their fellow Muslims even the poor feels as a result of this pillar, they are completely acceptable in the society and that there are also people who really cares about their well being. Through that, there is a sense of unity that is left in the brethren who profess the Islamic religion (Sue, 1999). Also comes up due to the fact that the whole issue is based on religion and actually it is only in the Islamic religions. Well, other religions also do give to the poor but it is not a mandatory obligation. The Muslims are supposed to make a pledge and even go before Allah to express their intentions for giving those alms. One is supposed to meet the deadline of paying the pledge. Since, there has never been anyone reported to fail to pay then, the members have faith in each other. This in turn creates a great bond of unity among them. Also since the alms are shared among the needy members of that community that they were donated from, makes them even feel more united to each other. Sawm which also refers to as Siyam, means fasting. According to their holy book known as the Koran, this kind of fasting is known to be a ritual form of fasting. It is done for the sake of seeking repentance also it can be done for ascetic reasons. The fasting that is done for ritual purposes is mandatory for every one that professes Islam as a religion. In this type of fasting they are supposed to abstain from drinks, food and sex but not the whole day. This is done from morning to dusk. This is meant for them not only to repent of their own personal sins but they are required to get mindful of their neighbours, family members and friends sins. It makes every one of them feel a sense of unity amongst the Islam since it is an activity done by everyone despite their wealth status (Ibrahim, 2007). Also, it is an activity that enables them to seek to be close to their own God and also to be able to learn more about the Koran. They are expected in such a time to practice peace, love and unity among themselves. The fact that it is an activity that is done only once a year by every one in the world that professes Islam and at the same time gives every individual a feeling of unity among them since he or she feels that their brethren are also doing the same thing. Also this enables them as a religion to get to have a taste of what it means to be hungry all of them at a go, which then in turn enables them to develop better attitude towards each other of being charitable. Lastly, the pillar called Hajj or the Mecca pilgrimage is also very important. It is actually not very mandatory but it is advisable to anyone who is capable. This means that once in one’s life time must make an effort to visit the Holy city of Mecca. This gives them a sense of unity in that it is an opportunity all to check on the ways in terms of lifestyle. It is actually demanded that no body should go there if they know that they are not clean or if their intentions are not right (Ibrahim, 2007). So, all of them who are there, actually trust each other since they are sure no one can cause harm to the other. Culture is basically a human own creation and it bound to change. This is because changes occurring worldwide in terms of changes in climate, technology and cross culture. Some cultural practices go beyond the festivals and utilize nonverbal form of communication (Levine, 2001). Cross cultural communication refers to the kind of communication that takes place between or among people of different cultures. It should be noted that communication is always cultural. This is because it keeps on changing. For instances, a person way of communication today may be so different from his or her way of communication tomorrow. This is because some factors like the social set up, the mood and even the personality may bring the difference. Non verbal communication on the other hand, can help one achieve an effective communication or it can seriously hinder. Like explained earlier, in this form of communication there is totally no use of words. There is complete communication through emotion and other objects. Expressions like the facial ones are greatly utilized in this form of communication. Such expressions show anger, joy, fear, disgust, surprise and sadness. There are some cultures where people are known to have some very serious looks on their faces. People from such cultures, may find it hard to ever achieve an effective communication (John, 2006). Also some other people like the Americans due to their culture of smiling to any one on the way there can be an effective communication. This is because their culture through such a doing has presented a very favourable environment to communicate. Apart from the facial expression, Nonverbal form of communication is achieved through bodily and clothing characteristics. Elements like ones physique, height, weight, gender, colour, odour, skin colour and clothes. For example issues like the form of clothing ones has worn has worn can affect a communication positively or negatively. A good example is some one in a police uniform. When a stranger despite the culture meets a policeman at any point is very comfortable to start up a communication with such a person. Unlike, a circumstance where a person is in tattered clothes. In such a circumstance, no matter the cultural background of that person, the communication will not be effective since there is not confidence and trust. Also the environment can influence non verbal communication. For example, when two strange people meets for the first to strike may be a business deal, the environment where they hold their meeting is very important (Sue & Nolan, 2007). The surrounding if very conducive, will actually lead to an effective form of communication. Therefore, irrespective of whether the communication is verbal or not, there can be an effective cultural communication or a great Misunderstanding. Conclusion Events management which has a cultural inclination involves a great deal of consideration. This is because in the contemporary society there is a presentation of many people with different cultural background. Issues like festivals and the participation of the people in the festivals must be organized in such a way that all the people are given an equal opportunity to take part and feel appreciated. Different religions have different practices which forms part of the culture of the society from where the people come from. This means that for people to coexist in the society, they must understand that there is diversity in cultural practices and learn to appreciate each other. Reference Adam, K. 2000. Culture: the anthropologists' account. London: Harvard University Press. Alfred, L., and Clyde, K. 2008. Culture: a critical review of concepts and definitions. Toronto: Kraus Reprint Co. Bhagat, R., Kedia, B., Harveston, P. & Triandis, H. 2002. Cultural Variations in the Cross-border Transfer of Organisational Knowledge. Academy of Management Review, vol. 27, no. 2. Chris, J.2003. Culture: critical concepts in sociology. London: Routledge. Ibrahim, A. 2007. A brief illustration guide to understanding Islam. New York: John Wiley & sons. Levine, D. 2001. On individuality and social forms'. Chicago: Chicago University Pres. Sosik, J. & Jung D. 2002. Work-group characteristics and performance in collectivistic and individualistic cultures. The Journal of Social Psychology. Washington, pp 5-23. John S. 2006. Cultural theory and popular culture: an introduction. Georgia: University of Georgia Press, Sue, P. 1999. Islam. Oxford: University of Oxford Press. Sue, S., and Nolan, Z. 2007. The role of culture and cultural techniques in psychotherapy: A critique and reformulation. American Psychologist, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 37-45. Read More