Cross ultural Management - Essay Example

We can therefore clearly differentiate the different components of this concept that is; have, think, and do. The three components are very much connected and hence hard to clearly separate them. Language, food or dresses have been viewed as external products of the term culture. Beyond this external layer, we find culture in an invisible way. This includes society’s deeper values and norms which are quite difficult to identify. Characteristics The code of conduct among people of a given society differs from culture to culture.

This is true to a small-homogenous society where gender, age, religion and ethnicity could show differences in culture. A good example is one person from a rich family compared to a second of same gender but from a poor family. The two individuals might show cultural differences in terms of values and behavioural expectations. Culture delineates different groupings and society units on the basis of similar ways of seeing and interacting with the whole world. According to Willcoxson and Millet (2000), adaptive patterns of behaviours in a given society generate new beliefs which can be recognised.

Behaviours, values and beliefs, and their related rituals and myths over time have a great effect on the main assumption of the concept of culture. It gives people a great sense of belonging through collective identity other than defining individual characteristics. It defines a given group based on their similarities rather than differences (Bendrups 2008). Songs and dances Ceremonial performances are core aspects of culture. Related ceremonies including songs and dances can bring different cultural characteristics together.

Songs and dances were very specific on every occasion including special occasions. Up to date, songs and dances remain a vital and part of the aboriginal life and customs (Chirwa 2001). They are therefore considered special and sacred. They are performed and composed for different ceremonies such as burial and weddings. In some past instances, both old and young men were positioned in one group where as old women and young girls formed a different group. Most of them would paint their bodies with ochre in a moonlit and flickering camp fires stage.

Men would carry spears with them and their dances where more vigorous compared to women and young girls. At present, ceremonial dress and ornamentation are worn when dances and songs are performed by different groups (McIntosh 2006). The old didgeridoo which is a wind instrument is commonly considered the main instrument of Australian Aborigines. It originated from North Queensland, and is now played in many communities in Australia differently. Therefore, diversity and complexity of cultural and spiritual practices exists among Aboriginal communities in Australia.

Song and dance form an important part of culture today and though practiced by only a small number of contemporary societies, for most Aboriginal people they remain a significant part of ceremonies (Willcoxson and Millet 2000). The importance of songs and dances is demonstrated by people travelling long distances to learn new songs in exchange for goods. All people who demonstrate greater talent than others members of the aboriginal societies are normally awarded and honoured. Aboriginal religion and the beliefs which early investigators learnt about from ancient Aboriginal informants were different from Christian beliefs and practices.

According to Bendrups (2008), during