Culture

- Table of contentsTable of contentsTable of contentsTable of contents ::::

- What is culture ?

- Importance of culture.

- Characteristiques of culture .

- Components of Culture :

o Folkways o Mores o Laws o Values

o Language o Fashion, Fads, Crazes

- Culture of the world : Example : north-africa

o Morocco o Algeria o Tunisia o Libya o Egypt

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Culture refers to the pattern of human activity and the symbols that give significance to these activities. Culture manifests itself in terms of the art, literature, costumes, customs, language, religion and religious rituals. The people and their pattern of life make up the culture of a region. Cultures vary in the different parts of the world. They are

different across the land boundaries and the diversity in cultures results in the diversity in people around the world. Culture also consists of the

system of beliefs held by the people of the region, their principles of life and their moral values. The patterns of behavior of the people of a particular region also form a part of the region's culture. The word

'culture' that hails from the Latin word, 'cultura' derived from ‘colere’, means, 'to cultivate'. Hence the way in which the minds of the masses inhabiting a particular region are cultivated, in someway determines the

culture of a region.

Importance of Culture :Importance of Culture :Importance of Culture :Importance of Culture : ----

The cultural values of a community give it an identity of its own. A community gains a character and a personality of its own, because of the culture of its people. Culture is shared by the members of a community. It is learned and passed from the older generations to the newer ones. For an effective transfer of culture from one generation to another, it has to be translated into symbols. Language, art and religion serve as the symbolic

means of transfer of cultural values between generations.

Culture is a bond that ties the people of a region or community together. It is that one common bond, which brings the people of a community together. The customs and traditions that the people of a community follow, the festivals they celebrate, the kind of clothing they wear, the food they eat, and most importantly, the cultural values they adhere to,

bind them together.

Culture is seen as a system of social control, wherein people shape their standards and behavior. The cultural values form the founding principles of one’s life. They influence one’s principles and philosophies of life. They influence one’s way of living and thus impact social life.

The importance of culture lies in the fact that it is a link between people

and their value systems.

Characteristics of Culture : Characteristics of Culture : Characteristics of Culture : Characteristics of Culture : ----

Culture is shared, by which we mean that every culture is shared by a group of people. Depending on the region they live in, the climatic conditions they thrive in and their historical heritage, they form a set of values and beliefs. This set of their principles of life shapes their culture. No culture belongs to an individual. It is rather shared among many people of a certain part of the world. It belongs to a single community and not to any single human being. Culture is learned. The members of a culture share certain ideals, which shape their lives. Generations learn to follow these ideals and principles. Culture propagates through generations, which adopt their old customs and traditions as a part of their culture. The ideals they base their lives on is a part of their culture. Cultural values are imparted from one generation to another, thus resulting in a continual of traditions that are a part of culture. The language, the literature and the art forms pass across generations. Culture is learned, understood and adopted by the younger generations of society. No individual is born with a sense of his/her culture. He/she has to learn it. What are the elements of culture? The language, other forms of expression as also the thoughts and emotions of the people, their social and cultural norms, their principles and beliefs are the basic elements of culture. For an effective transfer of culture from one generation to

another, it has to be translated in terms of symbols, which represent the cultural values of a community. Language, art and religion form the system of symbols that render a deep meaning to culture. Despite the efforts of the older generations to transfer their cultural values to the forthcoming generations, many tend to remain unaware of their culture. People are often found to have an incomplete knowledge of their culture. People seldom know their culture completely. A gradual change is characteristic to almost every culture. Cultures are subject to change. Culture loses some of its traits and gains new ones. The aspects of culture that change vary across societies. With the passage of time, new technologies emerge, new modes of work come up, social thinking undergoes transitions and so does culture. Every culture changes in time although the rate of change of every culture varies. Studies have brought out a fact that no culture can remain in isolation. There is hardly any social community that is completely isolated from the rest of the world. Every culture hence, is mostly influenced by cultures of the surrounding regions. Cultural values are prone to be affected by the values of communities in close vicinity. The cultures, which emerged during the same periods of time often, show certain similarities. Modern times have witnessed an intermix of cultures. Cultures are blended together giving rise to shared cultures.

COMPONENTS OF CULTURE : COMPONENTS OF CULTURE : COMPONENTS OF CULTURE : COMPONENTS OF CULTURE : ----

Anyway , Cultue has so many components of Culture as : Norms

-often described as social norms -guides or models of behavior which tell what is proper and what is not, appropriate or inappropriate, right or wrong -set limits within which individuals may seek alternatives or ways to achieve goals -regulates people’s behavior in a given society -come in the form of rules, standards, or prescriptions followed by people

-for instance : norms of conduct for doctors, teachers, military, engineers, nurses etc .

Forms of social Norms:

• Folkways : There are Customary patterns of everyday life that specifies what is socially correct and proper…. It’s also Customary ways of repetitive or typical habits and patterns expected behavior followed within a group of community that Gained the support of public opinion and tradition; serve as regulators of people’s sentiments and attitudes toward given issue or topics as well as Producing habits in individuals and customs in the group , Examples: shaking of hands, taking a bath frequently and regularly, keeping one’s lawn cut and orderly; not drinking liquor in the church…considered the “right way” not rigidly enforced by society and sanctions are ridicule, raised eyebrows, critical and sarcastic remarks, disapproval, or embarrassment to those who do not confrm .

• Mores : It defines what is morally right and what is morally

wrong and it’s also folkways with ethical and moral significance strongly held and emphasized , besides, it’s associated with strong feelings of right or wrong and the embodies codes of ethics and standards of morality , and we can find also that Mores include standards on sex behavior, family relations, attitudes toward authority, religion and the unfortunate sectors of society , and the violations of them result in strong disapproval and even severe punishment .

• Laws : Are enforced by a special political organization;

enforcing agencies , police, courts , and Laws differ from folkways and mores because it’s enforced by Police organization and they are the results of conscious thought and deliberate planning , besides that , degree of disapproval and punishment depend on which law was violated .

• Values : represent standards use to evaluate desirability of

things and they define what is right, good and moral , furthermore , we can find some major value orientations of many society such as :

1. Achievement and success – emphasis on personal achievements, especially occupational success; admiring rags-to-riches stories and the value of a self-made man.

2. Activity and work- works as a means to success and an end in itself; placing high value to work and dedication to it.

3. moral orientation- judging people through ethical principles 4. humanitarianism- material generosity; helping others

individually and collectively thru organized charities and philanthropies

5. Efficiency and practicality- efficiency as standard by which people judge activities; emphasis on efficiency is associated with the importance they place on practicality and technology.

• Language : It refers to a system of symbols that have

specific and arbitrary meaning in a given society and it also sets human beings from other species and it enables us to talk about past and future and makes us able to learn about other’s experiences .

• Fashion , fads , crazes : Can operate as a force for social

change , as examples: new style of clothes, bags, shows, and hairdo …

Cultures of the world Cultures of the world Cultures of the world Cultures of the world

Example: NorthExample: NorthExample: NorthExample: North----AfricaAfricaAfricaAfrica

Ø Morocco:

Al Maghrib, the Arabic name for Morocco, means "far west" or "where the sun sets." When the Arabs first arrived in northern Africa in the seventh century C.E. , Morocco was believed to be the westernmost point in the world. At that time, the Maghrib region included the countries that are today Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. The countries of the Maghrib share many common historical and cultural features. All have indigenous Berber populations and a strong Islamic base. Similarly, all were colonized by France, and remain largely bilingual, with both French and Arabic being spoken. Although European influence in Morocco is strong, it is still a country of distinctly Arabic tradition. The vast difference between the crude life on the streets and the hospitality and intimacy found in the home reflect the duality that is deeply ingrained in Moroccan culture. But one aspect of Moroccan life that is distinctly unified is religion. The king has declared that all citizens are born Sunni Muslims, and Islam is an important part of everyday ritual life. The Moroccan government is a constitutional monarchy, with a very powerful king. It is this mix of European and Arab influence, loyalty to the king and a strong Islamic base, that creates the uniquely Moroccan identity.

§ Language in morocco :

Moroccan Arabic is the official language of Morocco. It is spoken by roughly three-quarters of the population and differs slightly from modern standard Arabic and other dialects in grammar and vocabulary. Although half a century has passed since the French colonial period in Morocco ended, French remains the official language in business, government, and diplomacy. Before the Arabs spread their language and culture across northern Africa, Berber dialects were spoken in Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia. Although the dialects can still be heard in some rural areas, the Berber linguistic tradition is oral rather than literary, and there is no formal alphabet or standard written form of the language. There are three main Berber dialects in Morocco. Rifan is the dialect spoken in the Rif Mountains as well as in some rural areas of eastern Morocco along the Algerian border. In the High and Middle Atlas region the dialect spoken has many names; it may be called Amazigh, Zaran, or Tamazight. In the southwestern oasis and the Anti-Atlas region, the dialect may be called Soussi, Celha, Tashelhait, or Chleuh. Spanish is widely spoken in the northern parts of the country, and English is commonly spoken to international tourists. Multi-lingualism exists to such a degree that Moroccans may switch from one language to another midsentence.

§ Moroccan Society & Culture

Islam

Islam is practised by the majority of Moroccans and governs their personal, political, economic and legal lives. Islam emanated from what is today Saudi Arabia. The Prophet Muhammad is seen as the last of God's emissaries (following in the footsteps of Jesus, Moses, Abraham, etc) to bring revelation to mankind. He was distinguished with bringing a message for the whole of mankind, rather than just to a certain peoples. As Moses brought the Torah and Jesus the Bible, Muhammad brought the last book, the Quran. The Quran and the actions of the Prophet (the Sunnah) are used as the basis for all guidance in the religion.

Among certain obligations for Muslims are to pray five times a day - at dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset, and evening. The exact time is listed in the local newspaper each day. Friday is the Muslim holy day. Everything is closed. Many companies also close on Thursday, making the weekend Thursday and Friday.

During the holy month of Ramadan all Muslims must fast from dawn to dusk and are only permitted to work six hours per day. Fasting includes no eating, drinking, cigarette smoking, or gum chewing. Expatriates are not required to fast; however, they must not eat, drink, smoke, or chew gum in public. Each night at sunset, families and friends gather together to celebrate the breaking of the fast (iftar). The festivities often continue well into the night. In general, things happen more slowly during Ramadan. Many businesses operate on a reduced schedule. Shops may be open and closed at unusual times.

The Concept of Shame - Hshuma

. Moroccans' most cherished possession is their honour and dignity, which reflects not only on themselves but on all members of their extended family. . Moroccans will go out of their way to preserve their personal honour. . Hshuma occurs when other people know that they have behaved inappropriately. . A Moroccan's sense of self-worth is externally focused, so the way others see them is of paramount importance. . If someone is shamed, they may be ostracized by society, or even worse by their family. . To avoid hshuma, many Moroccans will say or do things publicly because it makes them look good or helps them avoid embarrassment or awkwardness. . In business it is extremely important to verify anything that has been agreed to in front of others as it may not have been a sincere agreement and the person may have no intention of following through.

Moroccan Family Values

. The family is the most significant unit of Moroccan life and plays an important role in all social relations. . The individual is always subordinate to the family or group. . Nepotism is viewed positively, since it indicates patronage of one's family. . The family consists of both the nuclear and the extended family. . The elderly are revered and respected and often exert a great influence on the rest of the family.

Ø Algeria :

The name Algeria is derived from the name of the country's oldest continuous settlement and modern capital, Algiers, a

strategically located port city with access to both Europe and the Middle East. Most of the population of the country is in the north. While the majority of the population who are Arab (or mixed Arab and Berber) identify with the common Algerian culture, the Berber tribes, particularly in the more isolated southern mountainous and desert regions, retain more of the indigenous Berber culture and

identity.

§ Language in Algeria :

According to the census of 1966, Arabic is the language of 81% of Algeria's population; in addition to this, non-native speakers learn Arabic at school. In Algeria, as elsewhere, spoken Arabic differs very substantially from written Arabic; Algerian Arabic has a much-simplified vowel system, a substantially changed vocabulary with many new words and many words from Berber, Turkish, and French, and, like all Arabic dialects, has dropped the case endings of the written language. Within Algerian Arabic itself, there are significant local variations; Jijel Arabic, in particular, is noteworthy for its pronunciation of qaf as kaf and its profusion of Berber loanwords, and certain ports' dialects show influence from Andalusi Arabic brought by refugees from al-Andalus. Algerian Arabic is part of the Maghreb Arabic dialect continuum, and fades into Moroccan Arabic and Tunisian Arabic along the respective borders.

In the Sahara, more conservative Bedouin dialects, grouped under the name Saharan Arabic, are spoken; in addition, the many Sahrawi refugees at Tindouf speak Hassaniya Arabic.

Most Jews of Algeria once spoke dialects of Arabic specific to their community, collectively termed "Judeo-Arabic"; however, most came to speak French in the colonial period even before emigrating to France after independence.

§ Algerian Culture and Society :

Islam

o Islam is practised by the majority of Algerians and to a certain extent still governs their personal, political, economic and legal lives. o Islam emanated from what is today Saudi Arabia. The Prophet Muhammad is seen as the last of God's emissaries (following in the footsteps of Jesus, Moses, Abraham, etc) to bring revelation to mankind. He was distinguished with bringing a message for the whole of mankind, rather than just to a certain peoples. As Moses brought the Torah and Jesus the Bible, Muhammad brought the last book, the Quran. The Quran and the actions of the Prophet (the Sunnah) are used as the basis for all guidance in the religion. o Among certain obligations for Muslims are to pray five times a day - at dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset, and evening. The exact time is listed in the local newspaper each day. o Friday is the Muslim holy day. Everything is closed. Many companies also close on Thursday, making the weekend Thursday and Friday.

o During the holy month of Ramadan all Muslims must fast from dawn to dusk and are only permitted to work six hours per day. Fasting includes no eating, drinking, cigarette smoking, or gum chewing. Expatriates are not required to fast; however, they must not eat, drink, smoke, or chew gum in public.

The Family

- The family is the most important unit of the Algerian social system and defines social relations. - The individual is always subordinate to the family or group. - The family comes above all else and we see this manifest in nepotism and the importance of honour.

The Concept of Honour

- Honour is a foundation block of Algerian society. - Honour is delicately intertwined with a family's good name their reputation. - If someone is honourable, the family is honourable and if an individual is shamed the family is shamed. - As a result the behaviour of individual family members is viewed as the direct responsibility of the family. - Honour can be lost in many ways, for example Algerians believe that turning down a friend's request for a favour causes the other person to lose honour. Therefore, they will agree to do something rather than risk either party losing face. o Things to watch out for are criticizing others, insulting them, or putting them in a position that will be uncomfortable. By dishonouring someone you also spoil the relationship.

Ø Tunisia :

Originally Tunis was a satellite town of Carthage, located about 6.2 miles (10 kilometers) inland from the Mediterranean Sea. Carthage with its port was the historic urban center in the region from the ninth century B.C.E. through the eighth century C.E. Since Carthaginian times the rural hinterland around Carthage, later Tunis, has approximately corresponded to the contemporary boundaries of Tunisia. It has sometimes been part of a larger empire, as when it was the Roman province of Africa, sometimes an independent unit, as under the medieval Hafsid dynasty, but always distinct. Today Tunisia is part of the larger Arab world, with which it shares a language and many cultural elements, including a political identification. Within this broader identity, the sense of Tunisian uniqueness remains strong.

§ Tunisian Society & Culture

Islam

Islam is practised by the majority of Tunisians and governs their personal, political, economic and legal lives. Islam emanated from what is today Saudi Arabia. The Prophet Muhammad is seen as the last of God?s emissaries (following in the footsteps of Jesus, Moses, Abraham, etc) to

bring revelation to mankind. He was distinguished with bringing a message for the whole of mankind, rather than just to a certain peoples. As Moses brought the Torah and Jesus the Bible, Muhammad brought the last book, the Quran. The Quran and the actions of the Prophet (the Sunnah) are used as the basis for all guidance in the religion.

Among certain obligations for Muslims are to pray five times a day - at dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset, and evening. The exact time is listed in the local newspaper each day. Friday is the Muslim holy day so many men will go for afternoon prayers but unlike many Muslim countries the weekend is still Saturday and Sunday.

During the holy month of Ramadan all Muslims must fast from dawn to dusk and are only permitted to work six hours per day. Fasting includes no eating, drinking, cigarette smoking, or gum chewing. Expatriates are not required to fast; however, they must not eat, drink, smoke, or chew gum in public. Each night at sunset, families and friends gather together to celebrate the breaking of the fast (iftar). The festivities often continue well into the night. In general, things happen more slowly during Ramadan. Many businesses operate on a reduced schedule. Shops may be open and closed at unusual times.

Tunisian Family Values

- The family is the most significant unit of Tunisian life and plays an important role in all social relations. - The individual is always subordinate to the family or group. - The family consists of both the nuclear and the extended family.

Ø Libya :

The Socialist Popular Libyan Arab Jamahiriya—literally, "state of the

masses," is a nation that has been undergoing a radical social experiment over the last thirty years. This experiment has been

underwritten by massive oil revenues and directed by the revolutionary government of Muammar Qaddafi.

§ Language in Libya :

The main language spoken in Libya is Arabic, which is also the official language. Tamazight (i.e. Berber languages), which do not have official status, are spoken by Libyan Berbers. Berber speakers live above all in the Jebel Nafusa region (Tripolitania), the town of Zuwarah on the coast, and the city-oases of Ghadames, Ghat and Awjila. In addition, Tuaregs speak Tamahaq, the only known Northern Tamasheq language. Italian and English are sometimes spoken in the big cities, although Italian speakers are mainly among the older generation.

§ Libyan Society and Culture :

The People

Most Libyans consider themselves Arabs, although there is a strong Berber influence in the population. Nearly 98% of the population is

Berber-Arabic. There are small communities of Greeks, Maltese, and Italians.

About 20% of the population are foreign workers, mostly from other Arab countries such as Egypt, the Sudan, and Tunisia.

Religion

As Arabs the vast majority of Libyans are Muslim. Colonel Qaddafi states that Islam is the only viable system that can help answer man's political, economic and social problems on earth and provide him with happiness in the world to come. In November 1973, a new code of law appeared emphasizing Sharia law in all facets of the Libyan legal system. After the Revolution in September 1969 and in compliance with Islamic law, alcoholic beverages were outlawed. Bars and nightclubs were closed, and modest and provocative entertainment was banned. The use of the Islamic Hijri calendar was also made mandatory.

Family Life

Until fairly recently the extended family was the norm. Today it is increasingly common for young couples to set up home on their own. This is especially true of Tripoli.

It is important for Libyans to maintain the dignity, honour and a good reputation of their families through their own conduct. This is a collective culture. In order to maintain a sense of harmony, people will act with decorum at all times and not do not do anything to cause someone else public embarrassment. Personal feelings and needs are often subjugated for the good of the group.

Ø Egypt :

Egypt is the internationally used name but not the name used by the people of the country. It derives from the Greek Aegyptos, which in turn probably comes from ancient Egyptian words referring to the land ( Hut-ka-ptah, or "house of the essence [ka] of Ptah," a local god). Western names derive from this, as does the word "Copt" (in Arabic, qibt ). "Copt" can be taken to mean "Egyptian" in general, but now commonly means an Egyptian Christian, technically one belonging to the majority Coptic Church.

In Arabic, the name is Misr. This name is older than the Muslim conquest, but is attested to in the Koran. It can refer to either the whole country or the capital city. The name itself is an icon, spoken, written, or sung.

§ Language in Egypt :

For almost 13 centuries Arabic has been the written and spoken language of Egypt. Before the Arab invasion in AD 639, Coptic, the language

descended from ancient Egyptian, was the language of both religious and everyday life for the mass of the population; by the 12th century, however, it had been totally replaced by Arabic, continuing only as a liturgical language for the Coptic Orthodox Church. Arabic has become the language of both the Egyptian Christian and Muslim. The written form of the Arabic language, in grammar and syntax, has remained substantially unchanged since the 7th century. In other ways, however, the written language has changed the modern forms of style, word sequence, and phraseology are simpler and more flexible than in classical Arabic and are often directly derivative of English or French .

§ Egyptian Society & Culture :

Islam

Islam is practised by the majority of Egyptians and governs their personal, political, economic and legal lives. Islam emanated from what is today Saudi Arabia. The Prophet Muhammad is seen as the last of God's emissaries (following in the footsteps of Jesus, Moses, Abraham, etc) to bring revelation to mankind. He was distinguished with bringing a message for the whole of mankind, rather than just to a certain peoples. As Moses brought the Torah and Jesus the Bible, Muhammad brought the last book, the Quran. The Quran and the actions of the Prophet (the Sunnah) are used as the basis for all guidance in the religion.

Among certain obligations for Muslims are to pray five times a day - at dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset, and evening. The exact time is listed in the local newspaper each day. Friday is the Muslim holy day. Everything is closed. Many companies also close on Thursday, making the weekend Thursday and Friday.

During the holy month of Ramadan all Muslims must fast from dawn to dusk and are only permitted to work six hours per day. Fasting includes no eating, drinking, cigarette smoking, or gum chewing. Expatriates are not required to fast; however, they must not eat, drink, smoke, or chew gum in public.

Each night at sunset, families and friends gather together to celebrate the breaking of the fast (iftar). The festivities often continue well into the night. In general, things happen more slowly during Ramadan. Many businesses operate on a reduced schedule. Shops may be open and closed at unusual times.

Family Values

. The family is the most significant unit of Egyptian society.

. Kinship plays an important role in all social relations.

. The individual is always subordinate to the family, tribe or group.

. Nepotism is viewed positively, since it is patronage of one's family.

. The family consists of both the nuclear and the extended family.

Egyptian Honour

. Honour is an important facet of interpersonal relationships.

. Respect and esteem for people is both a right and an obligation.

. An individual's honour is intricately entwined with the reputation and honour of everyone in their family. . Honour requires that Egyptians demonstrate hospitality to friends and guests. . It also dictates that people dress as well as their financial circumstances allow, and show proper respect and deference to their elders and those in authority. . A man's word is considered his bond and to go back on your word is to bring dishonour to your family.

Social Class

. Social class is very apparent in Egypt since it determines your access to power and position. . The social class an Egyptian is born into dictates their everyday life and the opportunities they will have. . There are three social classes: upper, middle, and lower. . Status is defined more by family background than by absolute wealth. . There is little social mobility.

- BibliographyBibliographyBibliographyBibliography ::::

v www.wikipedia.org v www.kwinkessential.co.uk v www.everydayculture.com

v “Culture “by Mohammad Arif Mirza v “Nature of culture “ by Marie Kris G v “Social science “ by Valeri L. Cruze