Society and culture .

Society – a group of people in a common place or location .

Culture – a way of life of a people.

Cultural identity- the feeling of belonging, to any kind of social group that has its own distinct culture.

Types of culture.

Culture can be tangible/ material or non tangible / non material .

Tangible culture-is things we can see, feel ,taste and touch .

Intangible culture- are things we cannot see, feel, taste and tough- eg ,ideas and beliefs.

Material culture/ tangible.

These are skills ,products, processes and practices like

Architecture

Dress

Jewelry

Cuisine

Technology

Festivals

Farming practice

Festivals

Art ,music

Religious practices.

Non material culture

Language

Norms and roles.

Moral codes and ethics .

Societal institutions including family and religion and the attitudes and beliefs enshrined within them.

1. Popular culture – mainstream culture based on the tastes of ordinary people rather than elite or high
culture.
2. Folk culture- traditional aspects of everyday life, usually in defined rural areas.

Characteristics of society.

1.Shared common purpose .

 Society is defined as a group of people who share common experiences ,interests and values. In the Caribbean,
the people of the various territories share a common history of colonialism, slavery and plantation system.
These shared experiences have given rise to a common culture in the Caribbean. It also helps to structure
people’s interactions and relationships.

Despite being a common entity, the Caribbean is also viewed as culturally diverse or a plural society.

Cultural diversity is the existence of a variety of cultural forms based on race, ethnicity ,religion and other
beliefs or values within a society.

Plural society – a society consisting of two or more distinct ethnic or racial groups who retain their cultural
traditions.

Though these groups interact with each other, they retain their separate identities in areas of food ,religion
and family life .

2.Defined territorial space

A basic characteristic of society is the sharing of physical space by a group of people who have similar
cultural identity. This physical or territorial space can be used to define the area where a society exists
Example, the Caribbean society is identified on a map as those countries whose shores are washed by the
Caribbean sea.

3.Contiunity over time and space .

The existence of a group and its most permanent aspects of their culture within a space over a particular
period of time .Eg, Mexico is a physical space or society where specific forms of language dance and
cuisine have been identifiable in that space of Central America.
4.Citizenship within space
This aspect of society identifies the group of people native to a state / country of which they are citizens
or nationals .This is the political characteristic of society. Nationals are part of a society through their
birthright.

What makes Caribbean society?

Indicators of our Caribbean society .
A. A common history of colonialization by European powers. These European colonizers have left their
legacies in societal institutions such as family structure ,education and religion as well as cultural
legacy such as language ,architecture, food ,sport or dress .
B. A common geographic location
C. A commonality in race ,ethnic heritage and migratory patterns of its inhabitants.
D. Shared common language and forms of communication.
E. Similarities in religious influences and beliefs that help to form the general value systems of the
groups that make up the society.

Note – any complete definition of the Caribbean society must include the space called the diaspora: This is any area
outside of the Caribbean where there is a strong presence of Caribbean natives practicing Caribbean culture.

CHARACTEROSTICS OF CULTURE .

Culture is learnt behavior .

Culture is learnt and it shapes our behavior .

Enculturation is the process by which culture is passed on from one generation to the next and from one society to
another. This is passed on through the use of symbols such as language and value system.

CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS

Customs and traditions are expressions of culture based on practices that was passed from one generation to the
next. These customs and traditions help to determine the minds of Caribbean citizens and what they stand for.
While at the same time enables other societies to identify people from the Caribbean. Examples of cultural
traditions- dance ,arts ,crafts, festivals, celebrations etc .

NORMs AND BELIEFS.

Norms – unwritten rules that guides our behavior.

Beliefs – are convictions based on values, scientific facts and religion.

Note – values and norms changes over time.

Cultural values – the things that are regarded as worthy and acceptable in society .

Both values and beliefs acts as guides of acceptable social attitudes and behavior that help to form what is
considered normal behavior or norms.

Adherence to norms usually brings with it rewards such as praise, acceptance or advancement while those who go
against norms are criticized, or ridiculed .

SOCIETAL INSTITUTIONS- these are intangible bodies that exist within society and represents standardized pattern
of behavior.

Examples of social institutions are

-religion

Justice system.

Education

Economy

Family

All these institutions are an important part of the socialization process. They serve to teach and influence what is
accepted as normal behavior.

The societal institutions defends and uphold society’s cultural forms and reinforced its value in society.

In our modern society globalization is bringing about cultural imperialism.

Cultural imperialism which is also referred to as neo colonialism is the culture of a large and powerful country have
a great influence on another ,less powerful country .

It is the institutions of religion ,family and education in the Caribbean that continues to promote and protect local
forms of culture.

Gender Roles
 - In the Caribbean, the role of each gender has been perpetuated from one generation to the next as a
result of enculturation
- Gender Roles and positions are therefore practiced in society, becoming enshrined in the code of conduct
within that society. For example, in the Caribbean, boys are taught from a young age that they are the
protectors and the ones sturdy enough to do outside chores. Also Caribbean women are taught to
perform nurturing chores indoors. Any gender who does the opposite can be frowned upon for defying
what is considered normal.
- Nb – this is evidence of the overlap between society and culture where the code of conduct in society
stems from what is considered a normal way of life ( culture)
- Exam alert
3 ways society and culture overlap.
1. Values and beliefs acts as a guide for acceptable social behavior , forming norms .Members of a
society follow the cultural norm they were socialized in like greeting someone with a handshake ,
open doors for a woman etc.
2. Caribbean Christians believe in going to church every Sunday, thus making it a habit which is now
deemed normal (norm) in social life .This general acceptance of behavior that is now a routine has
now become part of the way of life (culture)
3. Socialization.

The aim of institutions is to socialize the young on how to practice their culture. This is done throughout a child’s
life into adolescence, so that he / she becomes useful adults u society. Here we see an overlap between society and
culture where we see the teaching of culture from one generation to the next enculturation. This is necessary for
the young to become acceptable and useful members of society.