Describe culture
-Culture refers to the whole way of life of a given people which includes their food, language,
taboos, festivals, values, beliefs and traditions.
– Culture can also be defined as the sum total of behaviour which people have learned over a period of time and defines ways by which they do things.
-Culture is not something that one is born with but it is learnt.
Outline components of culture
A component is a unit or a part of something. It is an element of the whole, for example, two legs are a
component of a human being because they are part of the whole human being.
There are eight major components of culture;
- Language
– Language defines a cultural group even though the same language can be used in different
countries. It differentiates one culture from another.
-It reflects the nature and value of a culture.
– Language is not only spoken, it can also be unspoken. For example gestures are signs used to
express different things such as showing a fist as a sign of strength or violence.
-Language unites one group of people. - Religion
-Religious taboos, customs, ritual, dictate the behaviour of a given society.
-Religion can also dictate the type of food/ drink people take. For example, Hindus do not eat
beef because they believe that when a person dies some of them will be born in an animal.
Devoted Catholics used not to eat meat on Good Friday, while devoted Muslims do not drink
alcohol.
- Values and attitudes
-Values and attitudes constitute the value systems of any given society.
– A society value system guides people in what is considered right or wrong.
– It is the basis of society‟s way of life.
-Most value systems are based on a society central religion.
- Education
-Education is an important part of culture. Since culture is learned behaviour.
There are three types of learning that take place in a society:-
(a) Informal learning
-This is a type of learning in which a child learns by imitating the behaviour of its family
members/friends or by watching characters portrayed in the movies/films.
(b) Formal learning
-This is a type of learning in which adults teach young family members on how to behave in
certain situations. For example, Namwangas, Luvales, Lungus and other cultures teach a child
to kneel down when he/she is greeting/giving elders something as a form of respect.
(c) Technical learning
– This is a type of learning in which teachers instruct a child in an educational environment about
what should be done, how it should be done and why it should be done. It takes place in a
classroom. - Social organizations
-This is the way society organizes itself.
– It relates to how society defines relationships, social institutions such as marriage and status
system such as the role of a woman and children. The extended family system is a common social institution in African societies for it provides mutual protection and social support on a daily basis. - Technology and material culture
-These refer to society‟s ability to create, design and use things.
-Technology and material culture relates to the way society organizes its economic activities.
– Terms like this industrialized nations and developing nations like Zambia refer to different
technologies and cultures.
– Thus, we speak of being in the Stone Age when society used stone tools, Iron Age when iron
tools were used, but now we talk of computer age culture since computers are the means of
story of organizing, calculating etc.
-Developed countries have reached Space Age culture by designing the most modern technology such as E-mail information. - Aesthetics
-This is a society‟s perception of what is considered beauty in art and in persons
– It dictates what is considered good taste, might be considered bad taste in another culture, e g
dressing in mini-skirts, tight trousers are acceptable in towns but condemned in villages in
Zambia.
- Law and politics
These are the rules and structures that regulate the behaviour of individuals.
Legal rules attract punishment when broken.
Laws protect members of the society to live peace and free from in-human treatment.
The political system of a society defines the structure of government and who occupies position
in the structures.
It also defines the roles and responsibilities of the leaders and the people led.
Explain the characteristics of culture.
Characteristics of culture
The following are the characteristics of culture or special features of culture:
Culture is dynamic: Culture changes with time; it is not constant. For example, the use of cellphones has been accepted as part Zambian way of life and yet these were not there a long time ago.
However, there is a great debate on gender balance.
Culture is learnt: it is passed on from generation to generation. It is taught to an individual by
society in which by the society in which an individual is born. The way to speak, what and how to
eat, how to relate to others and what to believe in are taught.
Culture is cumulative: new things in new generations can be discovered and added to the existing
culture. Owing to this cumulative effect, most high school learners are familiar with mathematical
insights and solutions that ancient Greeks like Archimedes and Pythagoras struggled to discover in
the world.
Culture is comprehensive: since culture is the sum total of society‟s way of life, it is therefore
comprehensive.
Culture is based on symbols: in order for culture to be transmitted successfully from one person to
the next, the system of symbols is created that translates the ideals of culture to members this may
be done through language, art, money and religion.
Culture is shared: members of society share a set of ideals, values and standard behaviour this set
of ideals is what give meaning to their lives and what bonds them together as culture.
Culture is integrated: in order to keep culture functioning, all its aspects must be integrated. For
example the language should be able to describe all the functions within the culture in order for
ideals and ideas to be transmitted from one generation to the next.
People are not aware of their culture until they come into contact with other cultures. They
only realise that their pattern of behaviour are universal when they come into contact with people
from other culture.
People do not know all their culture: no one knows everything about their culture. It is not
possible for one to know everything about their culture.
– Culture gives a society a range of permissible behaviour patterns. Cultures commonly allow a
range of ways in which men and women can be who they are.
-Cultures no longer exist in isolation: there is no society that can exist in isolation, thus languages
and indigenous patterns are being replaced rapidly.
Discuss the importance of culture
Importance of culture
The fact that culture is part of us, it is important to study it due to the following reasons:
– It reinforces ones’ identity and ability to critically reflect on that identity. This allows one to
develop and interact with others, thus, bringing mutual understanding between societies and
peoples.
-It is important for the identity of the society. Since culture includes language, music, dances, festivals, rituals and traditional craftsmanship, cultural heritage brings identity of a society. In times of need songs, art works, and texts can bring hope and comfort which reinforces cultural and selfawareness.
-Learning about culture brings about development. If culture is interpreted as a whole of beliefs,
habits and customs of a society, then it is a foundation of development. Economic development
without roots in culture can never result in sustainable development. Thus, the importance of culture. It is a goal, a part of the daily reality and a vital factor in development of the people.
-Everywhere, the impact of culture on individuals and community development are being measured, studied and rediscovered. There is keen interest in the relationship between arts and culture, and the economic and social development of our communities.
– According to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), article 27, affirms every human being to freely participate in the cultural life of one’s country.
Explain types of culture
Types of culture
There are ten types of culture and these include:
- Mass culture
– This culture is produced from machines and consumed on large scale, for example,
record industry, television and video tapes or cassettes.
– It is also spread through electronic media and other types of high technology. Thus,
many children learn new behaviour that their parents did not know through this
culture. - Popular culture
-This is a product of changing needs and innovation of people‟s lives, hence it is short
lived.
-This culture is seen among the youth who have new music, fashion among others in
entertainment. - Folk culture
– Also known as residual culture (remains of the past).
-The past is revived from elements of the forgotten past due to nostalgic tastes
– Nostalgic tastes is a desire of what used to be done in the past
– This culture is seen on the influences of technological changes on old traditions. For
example, playing old music on the national television. - Synthetic culture
– This is also called artificial culture which has mainly destroyed cultural identities of
developing countries like Zambia who adopt Western cultures
– Indigenous culture has only been preserved as a tourist attraction to earn money as
foreign exchange.
– This foreign culture is consumed mainly in form of films, television and radio. Above
all, Western culture due to its high technological advances, it is admired and enjoyed by many.
– An important aspect of this culture is consumerism (popular consumption). Through adverts, people are made to buy and own products such as soap food and modern items like cell phones, televisions and radios.
– This leads to importing than to using local products.
- Idea culture
– Refers to some kind of aspiration of where people would love to be. For example,
every society views itself in a positive way and has the highest virtues and standards it
aspires to be.
– In this regard, people in many cultures would describe their culture in ideal terms and
not what is in reality. Ideals are not realised every day. For example, Zambia was
described as a Christian nation but in reality its people do not live as Christians. - Real culture
– It refers to the real behaviour of people in a society.
– This is the actual culture practiced in a given society. For example, sleeping at a
funeral until burial is Zambia‟s real culture. - Sub – culture
– This is the way of life or behaviour which a small group of individuals belonging to the
same culture may portray.
-Sub- culture may arise due to different occupations in society which results in
variations in power and prestige. For example, within the same cultural group, people
with little education will behave differently from the well educated in society. Between
the two groups, there will be differences in the way they dress, speak, play and will
have different beliefs.
– In reality the rich and the well- educated may form an „‟elite culture‟‟ which is assumed
to be expensive. - Counter culture
– This refers to the behavioural patterns, and life styles shown by a group of people that
are exposed to the generally accepted standard of behaviour in society. A group of
street kids and unemployed youths will have their own way of talking, their leisure and
behaviour, different from the larger society.
– Therefore, their behaviour will would constitute a counter culture of the general
society, which is a form of social rebellion. - Cultural heterogeneity
-This refers to a society that contains a variety of groups of different races, beliefs,
religions and nationalities.
-The republic of South Africa is one of such a culture. It has a slogan of „‟Rainbow
Nation‟‟, to emphasise on the diversities of cultures found there. This promote
Pluralism which unifies recognizes and respects the contributions of different cultures
to the entire society. - Cultural homogeneity
This is a common culture of people of a similar race, beliefs, religion and nationality.
For example, the North African Arabic Countries like Tunisia and Libya are the same
race, share the same religion and nationality, thus, are classified as homogeneous.
Identify Zambia’s societal core values
Zambia’s Societal core Values
Core means essential or very important while value means the quality of being useful. Therefore, core
values are shared values which are practiced in all societies in the world. The following are Zambia‟s core
values:
– Obedience to authority; recognising and obeying those in power.
– Tolerance to other people’s view; allowing the opinions of others to prevail.
– Mutual respect; treating each other with consideration.
– Respect to privacy; everyone requires sometime to be on their own.
– Peaceful resolution of conflict such as litigation, dialogue, counselling among
– Honest; the quality of telling the truth
– Freedom of expression as long as the expression does not injure the other person.
– Belief in the equal worthiness of all human beings.
– Integrity; the quality of being honest and upright.
– Social justice; treating any person fairly regardless of race, sex and tribe
– Co-operation; working together for the common goal.
– Love; the feeling of great affection for the other person
– Loyalty; faithfulness and truthfulness to people or groups or organisations
– Peace; not only absence of war but freedom from any form of disturbance or disorder
– Trust; reliance on the truth
– Attainment of set goals: belief in personal success in whatever one does.
– Hard work; the belief in the value and nobility of work as a working human
understanding
– Nationalism extreme pride of one‟s country or loyalty to the country: a person can do
anything for the country such as carrying the flag everywhere.
– Patriotism; love and loyalty to ones‟ country and willingness to take part in its
protection and development
– Efficiency and practicality: belief in achieving an end with a least cost waste in the
shortest time possible.
– Material comfort: equal distribution of wealth throughout the country to satisfy the
needs of the people.
– Scientific advancement: the belief in science and technology as tools for making
progress to secure material comfort and solving society‟s problems.
– Individualism: an art of concentration of one‟s welfare at the expense of others.
Discuss Zambia’s cultural practices
Cultural practices in Zambia
The ethnic groups in Zambia share the following cultural practices
– Respect for elders; a belief that everyone older than oneself should be accorded
respect in speech and treatment regardless of status, race or blood relation. Young
people are supposed to kneel when speaking to elders.
– Extended family system: the Zambian culture advocates for the family system by
keeping as many relatives as possible in addition to one‟s own nuclear family. In an
event of both parents dying, the children would be taken to a family member.
– Rites of passage: they are rituals that one undergoes to mark an important change in a
person‟s position in society. They include such rituals as the naming of a newly born
baby, initiation, marriage, death and after death ceremonies.
Initiation rituals
Nkolola
Siyeke (Sikenge)
Cisungu
Mukanda
Marriage rituals
Matebeto
Cilanga mulilo
Mungenisa Khaya (M‟thimba)
Mbusa
Death rituals
Kupuzo-Ya-Bafu
Mweesyo
Isambo Lyamfwa
Ukupyana
Ubwalwa Bwe Shinda
Traditional ceremonies: many traditional ceremonies are held to celebrate past events.
Other functions of traditional ceremonies include:
i. Expressing, reflecting and reinforcing cultural relationships and virtues.
ii. Observing certain rituals.
iii. Communicating important cultural themes through the use of special forms of
language, music and dance
iv. Connection to the ancestors
v. Providing oral history of settlement, patterns or migration.
vi. Reconciling inter – group conflict for peaceful co – existence.
vii. Assertion of local traditional leadership.
viii. Displaying symbols of ethnic citizenship or sense of belonging to ethnic
groupings
Types of traditional ceremonies
i. Harvest festivals
ii. Commemorative ceremonies focusing on honouring the dad, migration
histories
iii. Religious festivals
iv. Ceremonies for small intimate groups such as boys or girls when these come of
age.
v. Ceremonies which move with rhythm of nature
Traditional ceremonies practiced in Zambia
i. Kuomboka Ceremony of the Lozi people
ii. Umutomboko Ceremony of the Lunda people of Luapula
iii. Ukusefya pa Ng’wena Ceremony of the Bemba people
iv. Likumbi Lya Mize of the Luvale people
v. Mabadao ceremony of the Tumbuka people
vi. Kulamba ceremony of the Nsenga people
vii. Kulamba Kubwalo ceremony of the Lenje people
viii. Shimunenga ceremony of the Illa people
ix. Malaila ceremony of the Kunda people
x. Lwiindi ceremony of the Tonga people
xi. Nc’wala ceremony of the Ngoni people
xii. Ibwela Mushi ceremony of the Biswalala people
xiii. Chinamanongo ceremony of the Bisa of Mpika
Identify factors that affect the appreciation of cultural diversity in Zambia
Cultural diversity in Zambia
Zambia has heterogeneous culture in terms of race, religion, language, tradition and customs. There are a lot
of common cultural practices among the seventy – three ethnic groups in Zambia. Therefore, in order to
appreciate cultural diversity that exists in Zambia, we should be mindful of certain aspects that affect
cultural diversity negatively. Such are the following:
- Stereotyping
-This is an ever generalized and pre – conceived ideas or impression of what characterises someone.
– Stereotyping is treating someone badly just because he or she is different from you. One may judge
an individual on the basis of how one perceives the whole ethnic group.
– In Zambia for example, there is stereotyping. Some ethnic groups are labelled as thieves, others
stingy, others are backward and others tribal. - Prejudice
– This is biased opinion based on insufficient knowledge or hostility towards particular racial,
religious or ethnic groups.
– It is the practice of thinking badly about someone because he or she is different from you.
– It is illogical, irrational, hatred, and suspicious of particular group.
– Sometimes it can be based on gender, age, place of residence or even occupation.
– Prejudice and stereotyping lead to discrimination and conflict in society.
– If not checked it can lead to serious civil war, for example, the Rwanda genocide and Burundi civil wars.
- Ethnocentrism
– This comes from the word „ethnocentric‟, which is the belief that one‟s‟ own cultural traditional
group or racial group is superior to all others.
– If other cultures are not like one‟s own culture then, they are regarded as inferior.
– People tend to view the custom of others in light with their own beliefs and values.
Ethnocentrism is also a belief that one‟s way of life is best and others are judged by their
standard.
– Ethnocentrism is a form of discrimination and leads to serious conflict even civil war. The
Rwanda 1994 genocide is such a good example. - Cultural relativism
-This is a belief that each cultural group has the right to its own culture even if the culture
does not please you.
– But such cultural practices should not violet individual basic human rights and freedom.
– Cultural diversity is the absence of direct and indirect discrimination in all areas of life.
Identify institutions that preserve cultural heritage in Zambia
(a) Museums- the national museums board administers these. Museums are responsible for;
- Collection of artefacts.
- Restoration of artefacts.
- Display of artefacts of historical, cultural, scientific, technological and economic
significance to the nation.
(b) National Heritage Conservation- administers immovable heritage such as sites and
monuments.
(c) National Arts Council- it promotes artistic and intellectual creativity and art education. - It recognises that freedom of opinion and expression is essential for reactive activities of
artists and intellectuals alike.
(d) International Cultural Cooperation
– The colonial authorities regardless of cultural and ethnic realities arbitrarily drew up the
geographical international boarders of Zambia.
– Zambia acknowledges that international cultural exchanges and encounters contribute to the promotion of global peace, respect, mutual understanding and cooperation.
– Zambia is a member of the following multilateral cultural organisations; - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)
- Southern African Development Community (SADC)
- International Centre for Bantu Civilisation (CICIBA)
- World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO)
- Southern African Development Community Association of Museums (SADCAM)
- World Crafts Council (WCC)
- International Council of Museums (ICOM)
- International Theatre Institute (ITI)
