Rediscovering Culture

Man is a social animal. He lives in an ever-changing society. It is where people interact

and socialize with others. In this stance, it is where the concept of culture predominates. Culture
as defined by social scientists pertains to the set of values, beliefs and attitudes that a person or
group of individuals may possess.
Furthermore, humanistic scholars believed that culture pertains to the “complex whole”
of ideas and things produced by men in their existence. While that of American anthropologists in
1910 used to coin the term as describing the group of traits characterizing tribal societies.
Moreover, Encyclopedia Americana (1992) describes cultures as the human behavior and history.
This has reference to an organized group of people interacting in a structural system and often
exhibiting activities needed to produce and sustain their lives. There have been numerous
accounts of what culture is. Why is this so? This is for the reason that culture may be deemed as
heterogenous. Unlike in the study of biology where a cell can be categorized into one single entity,
culture may not be boxed since this may compromise among other s the ideas, values, objects,
accumulations, tendencies and varying levels of generality.

Culture and Arts

In their early book, Newhill an La Paglia (1997), they testified that to most people the
concept of culture describes refinement or sophistication. With this, they claimed that a “cultured”
person possesses good manners, has the ability to know that to do in all situations, and appreciates
art, music, and literature.
But how could arts explore in the realm of culture? Men have expressed themselves in
various realities and splices of life. A good attribution is on how men maximizes their existence
and through this he utilizes art in order to fully grasp those experiences that better shapes and
molds him. Culture then becomes the getaway to understanding people. And it is through
understanding the concepts relating to motives and norms and in accessing a greater sense of
humanity of other people as well. It is by means of this that our ability to survive depends on our
capacity to dig deeper wisdom and to maintain a livable world.
It is in this aspect that men have utilized different forms of art like dancing, singing, acting,
drawing and the like in order to not only understand themselves and other people but of grasping
their humanness. There could be a hundred or more reasons why people create art. Pre- historic
people have drawn on the walls and ceilings of the caves in Spain particularly in Altamira and in
France specifically in Lascauz. Pictures of their daily activities and sources of livelihood like hunting
for food and the common animals like bison were projected. Since then, man has continued to
draw, carve and paint these things that make him human. These acts further manifest that people
make pieces of art for them to express their thoughts and feelings, commemorate significant
events in their life, and a means to communicate with others. This may have changed over time
as modern men now uses art as a reflection of their culture in a way of effecting social change in
society.
Fernandez (2016) in this manner attested that culture is an accumulation of shared
knowledge, experiences, values, attitudes, hierarchies, meaning, beliefs, notions of time and space
(spatial relationships), religion, roles and concepts of the universe, and material objects and
possessions acquired by people in a contiguous space through generations.

Culture and Society

Newgill and La Paglia (1977) contend that culture and society are two distinct conceptions
and should not be confused. The former denotes the way of living in which has the society creates
to satisfy is basic needs. On the other hand, society comprises of individuals with good interaction
in the carious task needed for survival. More so, these individuals occupy a definite area of land
to which the purportedly have claim.
Social scientists like that of anthropologists claim that a human society cannot exist without
a culture. Similarly, in this respect, societies without culture may be deduced to animal like that of
a baboon, bees, ants and others. For this reason, only human societies make cultures; people
cannot survive without culture.
It can then be viewed that culture and society are interwoven. When we talk about culture,
this comprise of “objects” in a preliterate society. On the other hand, a society is consisting of
people that share a common way of living. These two terms should never be confused. However,
modern view even suggests that people may have the propensity of belonging to a “racial culture”
inhabiting the greater “US society”.

Key Concepts on Culture

Culture is a total pattern
The personality of a person, so with this behavior, is affected by culture. This becomes
evidence in the ways on how a person was raised. His common acts of sleeping, eating, resting,
and even in expressing despair and showing affection such as love are influenced by culture.
People’s way of life can be best viewed in his capacity to manifest ones’ culture. This
surpasses all the things that he has learnt as a member of a particular tribe or community. This
then can be passed on from one generation to the next. The same is true with the songs, dances,
rituals, and other acts that can be handed down to the next era. Newhill and La Paglia (1977) said
that these can be seen in the material objects of a society’s technology, economy, art forms,
literature, music, religion, and even on government system. Lastly, they said that what is becoming
desirable and beautiful is largely determined by the individual by his culture.
Culture has structure
For a culture to exist, it needs a structure, imagine a jigsaw puzzle being put together that
is how a culture is commonly formed. A Filipino tribal village for example may not occur if there
are no units and groupings, like there are zines ad sitios existing within a particular barangay.
Largely, this is attributed to the units of a family, political entities, and economic groupings. These
associations are forming patterns of behaviors and these varying groups relate to others forming
a summed pattern of a Filipino way of life.
In contrast to what was previously mentioned as that of a jigsaw puzzle, culture may
change as with time as there are relatively new factors introduced. This may happen if technology
may permeate in a given community. Before, we used to have a town crier but with the presence
of cellular phone, this concept may have altered their existence.

Culture is learned/adapted
Culture shapes and molds an individual. ‘it is through culture that man learns to adapt in his
present society and acts according to the standards or norms in a particular community. Alongside
with this. he adheres to the customs and traditions of his given village. As previously noted, that
culture co -exists within a structure, this groupings or units binds him to interact with
others. in doing so, man has to constantly learn and adapt with others in order to survive.

Culture is shared

People may often display manners. Attitudes and behaviors which are simitar in nature and not
contradictory. This concept of culture is often manifested as people living together in geographic locations
share the same principles, and practices. Take language for instance, Cebuano-Visayan found its roots in
Cebu but people in Mindanao shares the same language though variations are manifested.

Similarly, beliefs in the existence of supernatural beings are manifested not only y Filipinos but by
Chinese in general. The latter often posits belief on Feng Shui as to observe order and the occurrence of
luck. Filipinos in return if not influence also manifest this belief on nono sa punso, duwende and other
dwellers. Chinese often bring amulets for protection and Filipinos cling unto these during Chinese New
year celebrations too.

Similarly, countries/states which are closely related by region or geographical location may share
the same traits, values and sets of behavior. The case of India, Myanmar and Nepal (which may also
include Tibet), these countries/territories are closely related; hence they share commonalities not only in
their animal distinguished as elephants but also in the form of literature and dances. The list includes
Mahabharata and Ramayana.
Culture is Influential

How many years were we under Spanish dominion? Undeniably, three hundred three years.
During these times, Filipinos were subject to a lot of pressure to extent of losing one’s identity.

Studies have revealed that the pre-historic Filipinos have already manifested its own identity long
before the colonizers came to this land. On a similar note, the historians believed that there is no such
thing as Filipino time, as our ancestors would exhibit strict adherence to time during meetings similar to
gatherings. Yet, one of their meetings, the Spanish arrived late so the following meeting the Filipino came
a little late, that was then the concept of Filipino time began.

This facet of culture as being influential can be traced from the existence of bahala na, ningas
cogon and similar behaviors, which the Spanish conquistadors have imparted to this soil. These might not
be a good contribution but as you see, when one is subjected under influence of another, then greater
chances lie that one will inherit, if not be accustomed, to those things you have been exposed to.

Moreover, how would you totally distinguish Filipino culture now? When much of the Korean pop,
Mexican food and American hip-hop is played and dance simultaneously? Can you determine your culture
at one glance? These are but some questions for you to ponder in realizing and materializing your own
culture.

Culture is transmitted

Another distinguishing characteristic of culture is that this can be passed on from one generation
to the next. In today’s millennial age, youngsters may no longer do the mano po gesture but oftentimes
would exhibit the biso-biso as French people exhibit. Your great grandfather used to serenade your
grandmother just to win that matamis na oo, but now these acts are usually done ligawan sa daan already

It is sufficed to say that culture does not only change but can be transmitted, and on how these
are passed on from one group to another may be affected by various factors.

Books, monographs and other forms of printed literature may serve as a good vehicle for this
transmission, but how about the oral practices and traditions? One good practice that would soon fade
out is found in Leyte and Panay islands. A television documentary entitled Huling Prinsesa featured local
princesses who was kept in her kingdom. She is not allowed to mingle and interact with others. Much
more, she is taken care of by someone who bathes her and attends to herdietary needs. Well, she is even
fed for this purpose. She is only allowed to go out from her bahay kubo when there is a special occasion
such as wedding and other tribal functions. In there, she sings and often recites oral traditions. If you were
her, would you also be delighted? The only problem is, she is already at the dawning she and no one in
her community would like to take her place as succeeding girls would want to go to the city to be educated
and would want to get married. Now, if no one would take her place then their living traditions and
practices may also die with her. Culture is then realized as acquired and passed through learning.
Culture is dynamic/culture change

What have been practiced today may no longer be done in the succeeding generations. Do you
think this is possible?

Children born from 1950’s to 197-‘s might have experienced playing under the moonlight.
However, youngsters of today are now exposed to both online and offline games. These changes may
mark the significant changes that adults of today may have difficulty understanding. We may hear them
saying, ganito kami noon phrase.

Social scientists like anthropologists and sociologists often reveal in their studies that there is a
varying rate of culture change and this is attributed to commitment of culture to growth and
development. The culture of hunting has already extinguished not because men failed to manifest
creativity but relatively due to the social, ecological and population factors, for there are substantial
changes in the pattern of mans existence. Why would one still hunt for animals when there is already
ready to eat meals available at a convenience store?

Culture change and can be viewed as the conscious and directed means. This is evidenced by
man’s ability to react with culture. These are various ways in which man responds and acts with the given
situations around him. Why would you still do the seemingly old fashioned harana when there is a hired
Valentine’s singer who could perform much better than your makabasag pinggan voice?

Culture differences

No two people are alike. This may seem to exist in the realm of what culture is. Though, culture
may be influential and can be influential and can be adaptive and even become dynamic; the basis for this
variation can be attributed to the human brain, such becomes the determinant for its creative and
imaginative faculties.

Well, Filipinos might be know as great imitators but a good improvement on what has been seen
and witnessed had been done by them. When they dance for instance, they appear to be more graceful
than the Koreans or even the Mexicans. Bennet (1992) claimed that this reality can be traced into man’s
artistic, literary, and philosophical aspects of culture, which have increased in variety. He also added that
the spread of Western influence across the continents has suppressed many of these unique differences.

Considerably, the spotted difference in people’s lifestyle are no longer recognized on the basis of
his/her race or even biological distinctions, but most importantly as a result of culture. Fernandez (2016)
testified that cultural differences manifest themselves in varying ways and differing levels of depth of Art.
He cited that the temples of the Greeks mark the distinction from that of the Egyptians so with the Anglo-
Saxon Beowulf to that of the Hindu Ramayana. In the local setting, the Derangan of the Meranao is
spotting the difference when contrasted with the Lam-ang of the Ilocano.
Elements of Culture

John W. Bennet (1992) of Washington University has categorized elements of culture.

And these are enumerated below:

a. Trait. This serves as the quality which makes one person different from another
b. Complex. The situation involved and even the materials used are forming part on how this
element exists
c. Pattern. The existence of regular and repeated way of doing things such as the reliable
sample of traits, acts, tendencies, or other observable characteristics of a person, group or
institution.
i. A good example of these three occurs in the presence of a cellular phone. The
possession of this gadget is the trait. And the communication devices are a
complex that includes the trait of cellular phone; and the styles of
communication are patterns.
d. Meanings. The derived idea represented by a word, phrase or even the idea expressed in a
work of writing, art and others. To put it simply, the emotional symbol which may be found
in the minds of the people who responds to how things were presented. An example of this
is the meaning attached of any item of culture, which can be an idea, behavior, pattern, or
object.
e. Functions. This is identified by the observer and not by culture bearers. As in the previous
example, a cellular phone serves as to facilitate communication in a mass society which is
embedded with high technology and a strong sense of time value.
f. Institutions. Groups of activities with specific need-satisfaction and how they function. These
can be the families and other group of individuals. And most of the time these are social
institutions that cohabit in a given society like that of family; while under political are
community cooperative labor.

Points to remember:

A good facet of man’s existence will never be regarded as essential without valuing what
culture is. In a nutshell, as Newhill and La Paglia (1977) claimed that culture has been called as
“blueprint for living”. They suggested two important aspects that culture and these are (1) it is a
pattern of living which people are expected to follow. And (2) every person is born into an existing
culture which he must learn and which chapes his life.

As Fernandez (2016) testified that culture is an accumulation of shared knowledge,

experiences, values, attitudes, hierarchies, meanings, beliefs, and material objects and
possessions acquired by people in contiguous space through generations.

Similarly, in this respect, a “cultured” person is endowed with a remarkably good set of
manners, knows what to do when confronted with situations, and develops appreciation for
literature, art and music