296 Society and Beliefs
DO ALL MEMBERS OF A SOCIETY SHARE ONE CULTURE?
Traditional societies usually share a common culture. People who live in larger,
more diverse societies share a mainstream culture, with which most people can
identify. Societies may also have. SUBCULTURES, alongside their normal
cultures, often based on shared values or interests, especially among immigrants
and young people.Culture is made up of all the shared values, customs,
and beliefs that give a society a common identity. It
includes the. LANGUAGE a society uses, along with
its rituals, fashions, arts, food, stories, and lifestyles.
DO CULTURES CHANGE?
Cultures emerge from the growing history and
experiences of a society, or its. TRADITION. Rapid
social change and revolution can cause changes in
culture. Cultures also change as people make contact
with other cultures. Greater global communications
and opportunities to travel allow people across the
world to study and learn from other cultures.IS THERE A GLOBAL CULTURE?
Cultures spread and influence one another as a result
of increased trade and communication, and modern
technology has brought the world’s cultures closer
than ever. Some cultural events, such as a Hollywood
movie, are shared across the world – but local aspects
of culture, such as language or myth, remain the most
powerful cultural influences in most people’s lives.HOW DO WE LEARN A CULTURE?
Most people grow up immersed in their culture. They
absorb it from their family, through rituals and
customs, through language, through the arts, through
social habits, and through a shared history. People
also learn about culture through school, friends,
television, and books.1 AMISH CULTURE
North America’s Amish people
choose to separate themselves
from mainstream US culture.
Most Amish live without modern
innovations such as electricity or
engines, because their religion
encourages them to question the
need for change. Like their plain
clothing, this sets them apart
from those outside their culture.DAY OF THE DEAD
In this Mexican festival, held
on All Souls’ Day, people pray
to the souls of their dead
relatives, inviting them to
return to the land of the living
for one more celebration.
These are festival-goers in
Los Angeles, USA, a city
that has a large Hispanic-
American population.Culture
MAASAI DANCE
The Maasai men of east
Africa live in age groups called
brotherhoods. The members
of a brotherhood practise this
Eunoto ritual, in which the men
dance with straight-legged
jumps. This is to mark the
passage from a younger age
to an older brotherhood.INDEPENDENCE DAY
Each year, on the fourth of
July, Americans of all cultural
backgrounds mark the
anniversary of US freedom
from British rule. Annual
festivals that mark special
moments in a nation’s history
encourage citizens to take
pride in their country.DUSSEHRA FESTIVAL
The story of Rama’s victory
over Ravana, a battle between
good and evil, is celebrated
in this colourful Hindu festival
in India. In the city of Mysore,
elephants are decorated and
painted, like those used in
India’s past to carry kings
to war.TROOPING THE COLOUR
An annual parade in London
marks the official birthday of
Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s
head of state. The time-
honoured rituals, uniforms,
flags, and the monarch’s
horse-drawn carriage highlight
tradition and stability.HANDS UP
Spectators at this American
football game rise to their feet
to ripple a “Mexican wave”
around the stadium. Joining
a large audience at sports
events, or supporting a sports
team, gives people a powerful
sense of community.4 PATCHWORK OF CULTURE
Each of these cultures is unique.
Together, they build a vast global
culture. A greater understanding
of the world’s cultures means
that people can be influenced
by many different ways of life.CELEBRATING CULTURE ACROSS THE GLOBE
culture