Back to: Jss1 Social Studies (NVE)

Introduction

Culture is a term that is often used to describe the beliefs, customs, practices, and social behaviours that are shared by a particular group of people. It encompasses everything from language, music, and art to food, clothing, and rituals. Culture is an essential aspect of our lives, shaping the way we view the world and influencing our values, traditions, and beliefs. It can be passed down from generation to generation, evolving and adapting over time, and is often used as a means of identifying and defining different groups of people. Understanding culture is vital in promoting mutual understanding, building relationships, and respecting diversity. It is an essential tool for fostering greater understanding and acceptance of different cultures and traditions, and for creating a more harmonious and connected world.

Every society has its own distinct culture, which sets it apart from other societies. Culture is what defines a particular group of people and distinguishes them from others. It encompasses their beliefs, customs, practices, clothing, and lifestyle, among other things. Culture is what gives a society its unique identity and sets it apart from others.

         Meaning of Culture 

Culture refers to the shared beliefs, customs, practices, and values that define a group or society. It encompasses the social, economic, political, and artistic aspects of human society and is passed down from generation to generation through socialization and education. Culture shapes people’s perceptions, behaviours, and attitudes and provides a sense of identity and belonging. It varies across different groups and societies and can change over time as a result of social, economic, and political changes. 

It encompasses not just the arts and literature, but also the entire way of life of a community, including their language, dances, music, tales, art, religion, and other elements that define and differentiate them from other groups. In essence, culture encompasses all aspects that define the unique identity of a particular group of people in a society.

Component of Culture

There are two components of culture

1. Material culture: It refers to the tangible objects and artefacts created by society. It includes tools, buildings, clothing, art, and other physical objects that reflect the values, beliefs, and behaviours of a particular culture such as the architecture of homes and buildings, and cultural artefacts like the Nok Terra-cotta of the Niger Benue, the Kraal of the Fulanis in Nigeria, and the traditional customs of the Masai people in Kenya. These aspects of culture can be seen and sometimes even touched, making them a tangible part of the culture.
2. Non-material culture: It refers to the intangible aspects of culture, such as beliefs, values, customs, and social norms. Non-material culture is transmitted from one generation to another through language, religion, education, and other forms of socialization. It includes things like language, religion, customs, values, and norms, which are all important in shaping the way people think and act in a society. Non-material culture can be more difficult to observe and study than material culture, but it is just as important in defining a particular culture.

Characteristics of culture

1. Learned: Culture is not innate but acquired through socialization and experiences.
2. Shared: Culture is a collective experience that is shared by a group of people.
3. Dynamic: Culture changes over time and is not static.
4. Symbolic: Culture is expressed through symbols such as language, art, and religion.
5. Integrated: The different components of culture are interconnected and work together to form a coherent system.
6. Diverse: Culture is diverse and varies across different regions and societies.
7. Adaptation: Culture adapts to changing environments and circumstances.
8. Historical: Culture is shaped by historical events and experiences.
9. Normative: Culture provides rules, norms, and values that guide behaviour.
10. Expressive: Culture expresses the emotional and creative aspects of human experience.
11. Subjective: Culture is subject to interpretation and meaning varies from person to person.
12. Institutional: Culture is expressed through institutions such as schools, churches, and government.
13. Creative: Culture is a product of human creativity and imagination.
14. Prescriptive: Culture prescribes certain behaviours and attitudes that are deemed appropriate.
15. Communicative: Culture is communicated through various mediums such as language, music, and art.
16. Culture is ever-evolving: No culture remains static or unchanging. It is subject to gradual but continuous change, adapting to the shifting conditions of the natural world.
17. Culture is symbolic in nature: Symbols are used to represent something else, be it physical objects such as flags, crosses, road signs, gestures like shaking hands or kissing, or abstract concepts like words, numbers, or sequences of sounds, etc.
18. Culture serves to meet basic human needs such as food, shelter, procreation, and hygiene and also creates new needs. It is both satisfying and frustrating. Its roots are firmly planted in the necessities of human existence.
19. Each society has its own distinct culture, different from that of other societies. Every culture is unique to the society it belongs to. Cultural elements such as customs, traditions, values, and beliefs are not uniform across cultures and vary from place to place.
20. Culture is a shared experience: Culture cannot be possessed by an individual alone. In sociological terms, culture is something that is shared within a group or society. Customs, traditions, beliefs, ideas, values, and morals are all examples of shared elements of culture
21. Culture is transmissible: Culture is passed down from generation to generation through the means of communication and interaction, or through historical heritage
22. Culture is a social construct: Culture does not exist in isolation, but is the result of social interaction. No individual can acquire culture without being a part of a larger community. It is through interaction with others that an individual becomes fully human.

Features of Culture

1. Language: Language is a primary feature of culture that plays a critical role in communication, socialization, and transmission of knowledge, values, and beliefs.
2. Religion: Religion shapes individuals’ belief systems, moral values, and behaviours, and it has significant cultural impacts on social and political structures.
3. Social Structure: The way a society organizes its people, social hierarchies, and norms for interacting with one another are fundamental cultural features.
4. Customs: Customs refer to the traditional behaviours and practices that are characteristic of a particular culture, such as greeting rituals, dress codes, or gift-giving traditions.
5. Arts and Aesthetics: Art, music, literature, and other forms of cultural expression reflect the values, beliefs, and history of a society.
6. Gender Roles: The expectations and responsibilities assigned to males and females vary across cultures, shaping social interactions and identities.
7. Education: Education is an essential feature of culture that shapes individuals’ knowledge, skills, and perspectives.
8. Economy: Economic systems and practices vary widely across cultures and are shaped by historical, social, and environmental factors.
9. Food: Cuisine and food preparation practices are important cultural features that reflect a society’s history, geography, and cultural values.
10. Technology: Technological advancements have shaped human cultures throughout history, from the invention of agriculture to modern-day computer networks.
11. Family: Family structures and roles are fundamental cultural features that shape individuals’ social and emotional lives.
12. History: Historical events and narratives are significant cultural features that shape a society’s identity, values, and beliefs.
13. Politics: Political systems and ideologies are shaped by cultural values, beliefs, and historical events, and have a significant impact on social structures and individual lives.
14. Health: Health practices and beliefs vary widely across cultures, with varying attitudes towards illness, wellness, and medical care.
15. Sports: Sports and physical activities are cultural features that reflect a society’s values, attitudes towards competition, and recreational activities.