What is Culture?
Culture is a term that encapsulates the collective values, beliefs, norms, and practices of a community.
According to Clifford Geertz, a renowned anthropologist, culture is “a system of inherited conceptions expressed in symbolic forms by means of which men communicate, perpetuate, and develop their knowledge about and attitudes toward life” [1]
What Are the Constructs of a Culture?
Cultures encompass tangible artifacts, aesthetics, patterns, motifs, and symbols expressed in traditions and intangible aspects such as shared values and belief systems.
Sociologist Émile Durkheim explains that culture consists of “collective representations” that give a community a unique character. [2]
Analogous to the threads in a fabric, each element contributes to the overall texture and appearance of the cultural landscape.
1. Beliefs and Symbols
Belief systems – whether religious, philosophical, or ideological – define how a community understands the world.
Symbols like flags, religious motifs, artistic patterns, and fashion styles unite individuals under a common identity.
The Bald Eagle, representing freedom and strength, has profound significance in American culture. [3]
2. Practices and Rituals
Practices and rituals are recurring activities or ceremonies that strengthen community cohesion.
The Japanese tea ceremony, meticulously choreographed and symbolic, is essential in Japanese culture. [4]
3. Transmission and Change: The Fluidity of Culture
Far from static, culture evolves through internal transformations and external influences.
Marshall McLuhan’s “global village” concept demonstrates how technological advances in communication have made the transmission of cultural elements more accessible. [5]
As such, essential elements, artifacts, aesthetics, patterns, motifs, and symbols that define a culture are adopted and used across several segments, from architecture to art and clothing manufacturing.
4. Acculturation and Assimilation
Acculturation describes the blending of two or more distinct cultures into a new, hybrid form.
Assimilation describes the absorption of one culture into another; in the process, some of the original cultural markers are lost.
The most visible way of acculturation and assimilation is widespread in the fashion industry, as fashion designers create garments, footwear, and accessories.
Conclusion
Culture is an intricate weave of shared values, beliefs, norms, and practices that collectively shape a community.
Culture is an ever-evolving entity susceptible to transformations from within and without.
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Bibliography
[1] Geertz, C. (2017) The interpretation of cultures. New York: Basic Books.
[2] Durkheim, E. (2016) The elementary forms of religious life, In Social Theory Re-wired, pp. 52-67, Routledge.
[3] Terrell, E. (2019) The Bald Eagle, Creature of Nature and an American Symbol. The Library of Congress.
[4] The Japanese tea ceremony, The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
[5] McLuhan, M. (1994) Understanding media: The extensions of man. MIT Press.
After years of managing hundreds of fashion brands from London’s office of a global retailer, Mandy has ventured into freelancing. Connected with several fashion retailers and media platforms in the US, Australia, and the UK, Mandy uses her expertise to consult for emerging fashion brands create top-notch content as an editorial strategist for several online publications.
