Teaching of social studies Concept of culture & cultural diversity

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Concept of Culture & Cultural Diversity
1. Introduction
Socially transmitted knowledge shared by some group of people. Everything that people have,
thinks, and does as members of society. All cultures are made up of material objects, ideas,
values and attitudes and patterned ways of behaving.
In 1873, Edward Tyrol, sometimes called the "father of anthropology" introduced the concept of
culture as an explanation of the differences among human societies. Taylor defined culture as
"that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, law, morals, custom, and any other
capabilities acquired by man as a member of society." He defined anthropology as the study of
culture
1.1. Definition Culture
The set of attitudes, values, beliefs, and behaviors shared by a group of people, but different for
each individual, communicated from one generation to the next.
‘Culture is the collective programming of the mind which distinguishes the members of one
group or category of people from another.’
Culture is the characteristics and knowledge of a particular group of people, defined by
everything from language, religion, cuisine, social habits, music and arts.
2. The Seven Elements of Culture
2.1. Social Organization
Social structure creates by organizing its members into small units to meet basic needs.
 Family Patterns: family is the most important unit of social organization. Through the
family children learn how they are expected to act and what to believe.
 Nuclear family: wife, husband, children. This is a typical family in an industrial society.
 Extended family: Several generations living in one household, working and living
together: grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins. Respect for elders is strong.
 Social classes: rank people in order of status, depending on what is important to the
culture (money, job, education, ancestry, etc.)
2.2. Customs and Traditions
 Rules of Behavior are enforced ideas of right and wrong. They can be customs,
traditions, rules, or written laws.
2.3. Religion
Religion is often a source of conflict between cultures.
 Monotheism is a belief in one god.
 Polytheism is a belief in many gods.
 Atheism is a belief in no gods.

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2.4. Language
 Language is the cornerstone of culture.
 All cultures have a spoken language (even if there are no developed forms of writing).
 People who speak the same language often share the same culture.
 Many societies include a large number of people who speak different languages.
 Each language can have several different dialects.
2.5. Arts and Literature
 They are the products of the human imagination.
 They help us pass on the culture’s basic beliefs. Examples: art, music, literature, and
folk tales
2.5. Forms of Government
People form governments to provide for their common needs, keep order within society, and
protect their society from outside threats.
Definition of government: Person/people who hold power in a society; Society’s laws and
political institutions.
 Democracy: people have supreme power, government acts by and with consent.
 Republic: people choose leaders who represent them.
 Dictatorship: ruler/group holds power by force usually relying on military support for
power.
2.6. Economic Systems
 Traditional Economy: people produce most of what
they need to survive (hunting, gathering, farming,
herding cattle, make own clothes/tools).
 Market Economy: buying and selling goods and
services
 Command Economy: Government controls what/how goods are produced and what they
cost. Individuals have little economic power
 Mixed Economy: Individuals make some economic decisions and the government
makes others.
3. Importance of Culture
According to the behaviorist definition of culture, it is the ultimate system of social control
where people monitor their own standards and behavior. A community's culture lays the
foundation of the living of its people.
 Culture is related to the development of one's attitude.
 One's culture plays an important role in shaping the principles of the individual's life.
 Culture gives an individual a unique identity.
How people use limited resources to
satisfy their wants and needs. What to
produce, how to produce it, and for
whom.

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 The culture of a community gives its people a character of their own.
 Culture shapes the personality of a community.
 The language that a community speaks, the art forms it hosts, its staple food, its customs,
traditions and festivities comprise the community's culture.
 The importance of culture cannot be stressed enough as it is an integral part of living.
4. Pakistani Culture
4.1. Life style of Pakistan
Life style basically shows the living standard of people. All the provinces of Pakistan have
different life style. They spoke different languages; dress up themselves according to their
culture and the variety of food makes them unique from others. Thus cultural effect can be
seemed in their life styles.
4.1.1. Sindhi Lifestyle:
Like the people of Punjab, Sindhi spoke Sindhi language that is an ancient language and speaks
in most parts of the Pakistan. The people of Sindh wear Sindhi dresses i.e. loose kameez and the
shalwar and love to eat Sindhi food.
In typical Sindhi wedding, the food is mostly Sindhi mutton, curry, palak uin chnna daal,
dilpasand curry. Sindhi people are very initiative to work and their handicrafts have a unique and
a different style. Sindhi culture can be seen in Sindhi tablo and shows. Sports that are famous in
Sindhi culture include Malakhiro, kodi kodi, wanjh wati etc. Similarly Sindhi music is unique i.e.
Sufi music is performed at shrines. Sindhi poetry like the poetry of Shah Abdul Latif Bhattai,
Sheikh Ayaz, Ustaad Bhikhari and Sachal Sarmost is very famous in Pakistan.
People of Sindh love to wear Sindhi toppi that is the most eminent feature of Sindh culture. The
Sindhi people are hardworking, hospitable, open minded and peaceful in their nature. Although
in Sindhi temples, images of Sri Rama and Sri Krishna are placed.
Folk lore’s of Sindh also had a great importance
4.1.2. Punjabi Lifestyle:
Punjab is also the province of Pakistan; its land is considered to be the land of five rivers.
Punjabi culture is the culture of Punjabi people that has been the richest and the oldest culture in
the world history. The peoples live in Punjab have different cast like some are of Rajput, Gujjar,
Syed, Sheikh, Arai, these are all cast. The main site of Indus valley civilization in Punjab was the
city of Harappa.
Punjabis speak a language called Punjabi. The language of the region is Punjabi. Punjabis is a
plural and refers to people who come from the area known as Punjab. Punjabi language has its
originating source in Sanskrit Punjab has always been land of great saints and fighters. Music of
Punjab is becoming famous all over the world especially the Bhangra is the most eminent feature
of culture.

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Punjabians are very hardworking love to hear music and dance which can be seen in their
Bhangra beats that is becoming famous day by day. Weather of Punjab is very moderate, which
shows a mild nature of their behavior. The people are also very religious and fashionable the
same. Hence Punjab is famous for its food also that people from all over the world love to eat
and like come to Pakistan.
4.1.3. Balochi lifestyle:
Balochistan is the largest province of Pakistan by geographical areas approximately 48% of
Pakistan. Balochistan culture is primarily tribal and conservatives,
Balochi dry fruits are very famous all over the world. Their special item Sajji is liked and loved
by a lot. They also eat roasted lamb sand mutton. Their dress code is very special i.e. shalwar
qameez and turban. Women like to wear froks and shalwar. Their jewelry is made of metal
which has a great attraction for them. Leather and goat heir works has gain popularity in the
world.
Now shoes, sandals, prayers mats, matting for stone shelter are getting popularity .most of the
woman’s do embroidery on clothes. Thus Balochi culture is also rich in poetry and literature.
4.1.4. Khyber PakhtunKhwa lifestyle:
Khyber PakhtunKhwa, formerly North-West Frontier Province, northernmost province of
Pakistan. Their dress code is shalwar kameez, which differently made for men and women.
Males usually wear Kufi, Kandahari cap, Turban or Pakul as traditional headgear. Leaders some
time wear a karakul hat.
Music – Hindko and Pashto folk music are popular in Khyber PakhtunKhwa and has a rich
tradition going back hundreds of years.
Most popular and famous food of them is Chapali Kabab-a flat beef kabab. Faluda mainly a
sweet dish is also found here Peshawar is known for its Kawa (GREEN TEA) which has a
unique flavor. Kabaddi, Polo Naiza Bazi, Horse Ridding, Perzowal and Gulli danda
5. What is Cultural Diversity?
The phrase 'Cultural Diversity' means a range of different societies or people of different origins,
religions and traditions all living and interacting together.
5.1. Pakistan — a land of cultural diversity
Pakistan has a rich cultural diversity as the society is largely multilingual, multi-ethnic and
multicultural. The Pakistani society comprises various diverse cultures and ethnic communities
that majorly involve Punjabi, Sindhi, Baloch, Pashtun, Seraiki, Mohair, Kashmiri, Makrani, and
the ancient Wakhi and Burusho groups in the north.
The languages claimed as mother tongue include Urdu, Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashto, Balochi, Seraiki,
Kashmiri, Brahui, Hindko and Potohohari. Urdu is the national language and one of two official
languages of Pakistan (the other being English). Although only about 8% of Pakistanis speak it
as their first language, it is spoken as a second and often third language by almost all citizens of

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Pakistan. The Urdu language has a rich tradition of poetry and Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal is
regarded as the National Poet of Pakistan. Apart from Urdu poetry, Pakistani poetry also has
blends of other regional languages. Punjabi, Sindhi, Balochi, Seraiki, and Pashto poetry have all
incorporated and influenced Pakistani poetry.
The variety of Pakistani music ranges from diverse provincial folk music and traditional styles
such as Qawwali and Ghazal Gayeki to modern forms fusing traditional and western music, In
addition, Pakistan is home to many famous folk singers such as the late Alam Lohar, who is also
well-known in the Indian Punjab.
Folk dances are still popular in Pakistan and they vary according to region. The folk dances of
Punjab are Bhangra, Luddi and Sammi, while Jhoomar is the folk dance of Seraiki region. Lewa
and Chap are the most popular folk dances of Balochistan. The folk dances of Khyber
PakhtunKhwa are Attan, Khattak dance and Chitrali dance. While Dhammal and Ho Jamalo are
the popular folk dances mostly performed in Sindh.
A handshake is the most common greeting, although close friends may embrace if meeting after
a long time. It is not appropriate for a man to shake hands with a woman. A title and last name
are used when addressing someone.
Visiting between friends and relatives is a very important social custom and occurs as often as
possible. Hospitality is important and guests are made to feel welcome.
Pakistani cuisine is as diverse as its people. Pakistani diet, whereas vegetables and beans are as
important. The mainstay of the Pakistani diet is chapatti or roti. Pakistani food is generally hot
and spicy. Rice is part of most meals and desserts. Tea is the most popular drink. Meat plays a
much more dominant role in Pakistani food, compared to other South Asian cuisines. Of all the
meats, the most popular are mutton, and chicken. Beef is also eaten, and is particularly sought
after as the meat of choice for Kabab dishes.
6. Conclusion:
Culture is a set of knowledge, attitudes, values, beliefs, and behaviors which shared by a group
of people. Culture develop attitude, shaping principles and given unique identity of the
individual's. Every Country (group of people) has their own Traditions, Religion, Language,
Arts, Literature, Government, Social and Economic Systems. Culture has also affected the life
styles of the people. Life style basically shows the living standard of people. In Pakistan all the
provinces have different life style, they spoke different languages; dress up themselves according
to their culture and the variety of food makes them unique from others.

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References:
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http://www.livescience.com/21478-what-is-culture-definition-of-culture.html
http://www.slideshare.net/labbaikkhan7/culture-of-khyber-pakhtunkhwa-kp
http://www.mylearning.org/global-citizens--make-an-impact/p-2022/
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