Culture is a term with many definitions, including “the system of beliefs and values of a social group.” It has been described as the sum total of a society’s knowledge, attitudes, customs, and behaviors that distinguish it from other groups. It is a powerful force that shapes a person’s identity and determines how that person views the world around him. Cultural elements are often a key factor in the development of civilizations, and they can be found on numerous levels of human existence:
It has been argued that every sociocultural system exists within a natural habitat, which exerts a profound influence upon the way in which that culture functions. For example, the cultures of some Eskimo groups have developed remarkable adaptations to the cold environments they inhabit, including tailored fur clothing and hemispherical snow houses (igloos). The cultures of others shifted dramatically after the introduction of horses, which allowed them to travel long distances to hunt large game animals.
According to anthropologist Edward Burnett Tylor, a culture is “that complex whole of learned and shared behavior and beliefs, values, ideals, notions of time, roles, and concepts of the universe, acquired by a people as a result of their interaction with one another over the course of generations.” It is the cumulative deposit of all the knowledge, experiences, skills, knowledge, and attitudes that a society passes on to its members and that it uses to perceive and interpret the world.
A culture can be defined at various levels, such as the national level associated with a country’s history, language, and traditions, or the regional level related to ethnic, linguistic, or religious differences that exist within a nation. It can also be viewed on the generational or family level associated with differences in the opinions, beliefs, and values of grandparents, parents, and children. The level of a corporate or organizational culture is another form of a culture that is often seen.
Cultural change is continuous, occurring on a continual basis as new beliefs, values, and customs replace older ones. It can be accelerated when a society is more open to outside influences, such as societies that engage in cultural exchange activities with other cultures, have high levels of immigration, or participate in globalization through technology and trade.
The concept of cultural is widely used in the context of education, with schools trying to instill a sense of respect for other cultures and perspectives. This is important because it helps create a more understanding and connected world. In a more literal sense, events such as cultural festivals provide an opportunity for individuals to share their own traditions and perspectives with each other, which can help break down barriers and build bridges of connection. Such events can feature music, photography, performing arts, and other forms of expression. For example, the Festival of Lights in India involves lighting oil lamps and fireworks while the Lantern Festival in China includes releasing paper lanterns into the sky.