Ethnic Culture (Research Paper Sample)

Ethnic Culture
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African Culture
Introduction
In any society, culture is the information that can influence a person’s behavior. It is passed from one community member to another through imitation, training, teaching and other types of socio-cultural transmission. Also, the potential of humanity is recognized in the culture setup by associating with other members. For example, the bond existing between the mother and her baby is perceived to be cultural. Irrespective of the society, African culture constitutes of common characteristics; comprises of behaviors that are learned, which is unceasing through enculturation, and it involves the application of symbols and language.
Understanding the beliefs and values of African culture
African culture shapes the way in which people recognize their tribe. When building communities that can resolve conflicts, people are required to appreciate and develop relationships with different their cultural group (Elashmawi, 2001). Therefore, understanding culture prevents ethnic clashes in the societies. In most cases, clashes spark because of lost opportunities, violence, and other misunderstandings within the community. Ethnic and racial problems drain the financial, as well as human capital of the society (Elashmawi, 2001). Ultimately, they distract the cultural group from solving the pertinent issues that revolve around them.
In Africa culture, every ethnic group has strengths and other perspectives that can benefit the society. Through a range of ideas, wisdom can resolve conflicts, as well as enrich the life of the community (Elashmawi, 2001). Most significant, when cultural groups join hands, they become robust in attaining common goals. Therefore, African community brings many people to work together to build a strong group that can achieve a significant change.
Understanding of the cultural diversity enables people to appreciate a just and equitable society (Gates, 2011). For example, when teachers understand students from different cultures, they are likely to perform well in the examinations. According to Bingham (2004), people miss an accurate view of the society if they fail to recognize the influences of the diverse groups in the making of history and culture. Therefore, it is important to envision the kind of ethnic culture to build.
Diverse cultures across the World depict the type of lives of people living in different parts of the World. African culture is important in shaping a person’s principles in life, as well as the development of one’s attitude (Bingham, 2004). For example, the African values impact the individual’s attitude towards life. As indicated, it is a system of social control where people monitor their standards as well as behavior. As Gates (2011) noted, ethnic values serve as the founding principles that influence a person. Also, culture gives a unique identity of the individual in the society. Thus, it depicts the people’s character and personality of the community such as the language and traditions.
Characteristics of African culture
According to Gates (2011), different cultures across the World possess their characteristics. First, an essential feature is that the African culture is learned. There are chances of a person learning a new culture in a different place from the cradle home (Elashmawi, 2001). African culture transforms the behavior patterns such as language and other living aspects of life. Nevertheless, a person can borrow the culture of other people through their influence such as lifestyle and personality. Secondly, African culture is usually shared and practiced by a group of persons. In contrast, it cannot be considered as the peoples’ culture if they do not share common belief and practices. Therefore, African culture is shared and believed a group of people who share common goals and values.
Thirdly, African culture is passed from one generation to another. As a matter of fact, knowledge accumulates with time. Bingham (2004) argued that understanding ethnic culture may resolve problems that people carry from one generation to another. However, the cycle remains as the particular culture changes with time. Gates (2011) indicated tha...