Meaning, Components and Characteristics of Culture for JSS 1

Meaning, Components and Characteristics of Culture

Performance Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. explain culture;
2. distinguish between material and non-material culture;
3. create a collage or drawings that reflect different aspects of culture;
4. Identify the cultural similarities and differences among Nigerians;
5. create posters showcasing shared norms values of Nigerian communities.

Meaning of Culture

Culture is the complete way of life of a group of people. It includes everything that people in a society learn, share and pass on from one generation to the next.

Culture shapes how people think, act and interact with each other. It is like a blueprint that guides the behaviour of individuals within a community.

Components of Culture

Culture is made up of different parts that work together to form a complete way of life. These parts can be divided into two main types: material culture and non-material culture.

Material Culture

Material culture refers to the physical objects that people create and use. These are things that can be seen, touched and stored.

Examples of material culture include:

1. Traditional clothes and dressing styles
2. Houses and buildings
3. Tools and equipment, such as hoes, cutlasses and grinding stones
4. Food items and cooking utensils
5. Artworks, sculptures and crafts
6. Musical instruments

These objects reflect the skills, beliefs and needs of a community. They are often passed down through generations.

Non-Material Culture

Non-material culture refers to the ideas, beliefs, values, customs and practices that a group of people share. These are non-physical things that cannot be touched but are very important to a society.

Examples of non-material culture include:

1. Language and greetings
2. Beliefs and religions
3. Customs and traditions, such as marriage ceremonies or festivals
4. Values, such as respect for elders or honesty
5. Music, dance and storytelling
6. Laws and rules of behaviour

Non-material culture guides how people behave and interact. It shapes their understanding of the world and their place in it.

Distinguishing Material and Non-Material Culture

The main difference between material and non-material culture is whether they are physical objects or abstract ideas. Material culture consists of tangible items, while non-material culture consists of intangible concepts.

For example, a traditional drum is part of material culture, but the rhythm played on it and the dance steps performed to its sound are part of non-material culture. A church building is material culture, but the prayers and beliefs practised inside it are non-material culture.

Characteristics of Culture

Culture has several important characteristics that define it. These characteristics help to understand how culture works and its role in society.

Language

Language is a system of communication used by a particular community or country. It is a key characteristic of culture because it allows people to share ideas, knowledge and traditions.

Through language, people learn about their history, express their feelings and pass on their culture to new generations. Nigeria has many different languages, such as Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, Efik, Tiv and many others.

Food and Dressing

Food and dressing are important parts of culture. The types of food people eat and the way they dress often reflect their cultural identity, environment and traditions.

Different cultures have unique dishes, cooking methods and eating customs. Similarly, traditional clothing styles, fabrics and ornaments are often specific to a particular cultural group and can indicate status, occasion or identity.

Religion

Religion is a system of beliefs and worship that often includes a moral code and practices. It is a significant characteristic of culture, influencing people’s values, rituals, festivals and daily lives.

Religion provides a framework for understanding the world and often guides behaviour and social norms. In Nigeria, major religions include Christianity, Islam and various traditional belief systems, each with its own cultural expressions.

Cultural Similarities and Differences in Nigeria

Nigeria is a country with a rich diversity of cultures. While there are many different ethnic groups, there are also common elements that unite Nigerians, as well as unique differences that make each culture special.

Cultural Similarities in Nigeria

Despite the many ethnic groups, Nigerians share several cultural similarities:

1. Respect for Elders: Across most Nigerian cultures, showing respect to older people is very important. This is often seen in greetings, how people speak to elders and how they serve them.
2. Hospitality: Nigerians are generally known for their hospitality, welcoming visitors and guests with warmth and generosity.
3. Communal Living: Many Nigerian communities value living together and supporting each other. Family ties are strong, and people often rely on their extended families and communities.
4. Festivals: Many cultures celebrate festivals, often related to harvest, traditional rites or religious events. While the specific names and rituals differ, the idea of communal celebration is common.
5. Food Staples: Common food staples like yam, cassava (garri), rice and maize are consumed across different regions, though prepared in various ways.
6. Traditional Music and Dance: Music and dance are integral to celebrations and ceremonies in almost all Nigerian cultures, even if the styles and instruments vary.

Cultural Differences in Nigeria

The differences in Nigerian cultures make the country vibrant and diverse:

1. Languages: Nigeria has over 500 languages. Major languages like Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba are distinct, with unique vocabularies, pronunciations and grammar.
2. Traditional Dressing: While many cultures use colourful fabrics, the styles of traditional attire vary greatly. For example, the ‘agbada’ is common among the Yoruba, while the ‘wrapper and blouse’ is popular among many southern groups, and the ‘babariga’ is common in the North.
3. Food: Each ethnic group has its unique traditional dishes. For instance, ‘tuwo shinkafa’ is popular in the North, ‘amala and ewedu’ in the South-West, and ‘fufu and egusi soup’ in the South-East.
4. Religious Practices: While Christianity and Islam are widespread, the specific practices, festivals and interpretations can differ among communities. Traditional belief systems also vary from one ethnic group to another.
5. Marriage Customs: Marriage rites and ceremonies differ significantly across cultures, involving different steps, dowry requirements and celebrations.
6. Festivals: Specific festivals like the Argungu Fishing Festival (North), Ofala Festival (South-East) and Eyo Festival (South-West) are unique to particular ethnic groups and regions.

Shared Norms and Values of Nigerian Communities

Norms and values are important parts of non-material culture. They guide how people behave and what they consider important in their society.

Meaning of Norms

Norms are the unwritten rules or expectations that guide behaviour within a society. They tell people what is considered appropriate or acceptable in different situations.

Norms help to maintain order and ensure that people interact smoothly. They can be formal (like laws) or informal (like customs).

Meaning of Values

Values are the shared beliefs about what is good, right, desirable or important in a society. They are the principles that guide people’s choices and actions.

Values often influence the norms of a society. For example, if a society values respect for elders, then a norm might be to greet elders by kneeling or bowing.

Shared Norms of Nigerian Communities

Many Nigerian communities share common norms that guide daily interactions:

1. Greeting Elders: It is a common norm to greet elders respectfully, often by kneeling (for females), prostrating (for males) or bowing.
2. Hospitality: Offering food and drink to visitors is a widely accepted norm.
3. Community Support: Helping neighbours and community members in times of need, such as during celebrations or funerals, is a strong norm.
4. Politeness: Using polite language and showing courtesy in public is generally expected.
5. Respect for Authority: Showing respect to community leaders, traditional rulers and religious figures is a common norm.

Shared Values of Nigerian Communities

Nigerians generally share several core values:

1. Family Ties: Strong family bonds and loyalty to both immediate and extended family are highly valued.
2. Respect: Respect for elders, authority and other people is a fundamental value.
3. Hard Work: Diligence and hard work are often seen as important for success and contributing to the community.
4. Honesty and Integrity: Being truthful and having strong moral principles are highly valued in many communities.
5. Communalism: The belief in the importance of the community over the individual, and the idea of working together for the common good, is a shared value.
6. Spirituality: A strong belief in a higher power or spiritual realm is a common value across different religious groups.

Creating a Collage or Drawings Reflecting Different Aspects of Culture

Creating a collage or drawings is a good way to show understanding of culture. A collage is an artwork made by sticking different materials, such as pictures, paper or fabric, onto a surface.

How to Create a Cultural Collage or Drawing

The procedure involves the following steps:

1. Choose a Theme: Decide which aspect of culture to focus on. It could be material culture, non-material culture, or a mix of both from a specific Nigerian culture.
2. Gather Materials: For a collage, collect old magazines, newspapers, photographs, fabric scraps, coloured paper, glue and a large sheet of cardboard or paper. For drawings, drawing paper, pencils, crayons or markers are needed.
3. Identify Cultural Elements: Think about the specific cultural items or practices to represent. For example, if the theme is “Yoruba Culture,” pictures of ‘adire’ fabric, ‘geles’, ‘amala’, traditional drums or people prostrating might be included.
4. Arrange and Stick (for Collage): Cut out pictures or shapes from the collected materials. Arrange them on the cardboard in a way that tells a story or shows different aspects of the culture. Once satisfied with the arrangement, glue them down firmly.
5. Draw and Colour (for Drawings): If drawing, sketch out the cultural elements clearly. Use colours to make the drawings vibrant and realistic. Different scenes or objects can be drawn on one large paper or several smaller drawings can be created.
6. Add Labels (Optional): Small labels can be added to identify the different cultural items or practices shown in the collage or drawing.
7. Present Your Work: Be ready to explain what the collage or drawing shows and how it reflects different aspects of culture.

Creating Posters Showcasing Shared Norms and Values of Nigerian Communities

Posters are visual tools used to communicate messages clearly and attractively. Creating a poster about shared norms and values helps to highlight what is important in Nigerian communities.

How to Create a Poster on Shared Norms and Values

The procedure involves the following steps:

1. Choose a Message: Decide which shared norms or values to highlight. The focus can be on one value (e.g., “Respect for Elders”) or a few related ones (e.g., “Honesty and Community Support”).
2. Gather Materials: A large sheet of poster board or paper, markers, crayons, coloured pencils, rulers and possibly pictures or drawings are needed.
3. Plan Your Layout: Before starting, sketch a rough plan of the poster. Decide where the title will go, where messages will be written and where any drawings or pictures will be placed.
4. Create a Catchy Title: Write a clear and attractive title at the top of the poster. For example, “Our Shared Values” or “Nigerian Norms: Guiding Our Lives.”
5. Write Key Messages: Write down the norms and values to showcase. Use short, clear sentences or bullet points. For example: “Respect Elders,” “Be Honest,” “Help Your Neighbour.”
6. Add Illustrations or Symbols: Draw simple pictures or symbols that represent the messages. For example, for “Respect for Elders,” a child greeting an older person could be drawn. For “Community Support,” people helping each other could be drawn.
7. Use Colour and Bold Text: Make the poster colourful and use bold letters for important words to make it easy to read and attractive.
8. Review and Refine: Check the poster for any spelling errors or unclear messages. Ensure it is neat and visually appealing.