INTRODUCTION

• Culture, like society, is a term often used vaguely; this chapter aims to define it more precisely and explore its aspects.

• In everyday use, culture is often confined to the arts or refers to the way of life of certain classes or countries.

• Sociologists and anthropologists study the social contexts of culture and examine relationships between its various aspects.

• Culture acts like a map to navigate society; it provides common understanding learnt and developed through social interaction.

• A common understanding within a group distinguishes it from others and gives it an identity.

• Cultures are dynamic and constantly changing; elements are added, deleted, expanded, shrunk, or rearranged.

• The human capacity to develop shared meanings from signs and symbols distinguishes humans from other animals.

• Creating meaning is a social virtue learnt in families, groups, and communities.

• We learn the use of tools, techniques, and non-material signs and symbols through interaction with family, friends, and colleagues.

• Much cultural knowledge is systematically described and conveyed orally or through books.

• Communication involves words and facial expressions conveying meaning in social interaction.

• People adapt differently to social densities in villages, towns, and cities, leading to diverse ways of life or cultures.

• Disparities in coping strategies were evident during the 2004 tsunami affecting Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

• Those in more integrated, modern ways of life experienced different impacts compared to less integrated communities.

• Learning culture prepares individuals for roles and responsibilities in society; primary socialisation occurs in the family, while secondary socialisation occurs in schools and other institutions.

DIVERSE SETTINGS, DIFFERENT CULTURES

• Humans live in a variety of natural settings such as mountains, plains, forests, cleared lands, deserts, river valleys, islands, and mainlands.

• Different communities are adapted to their specific environments, including fisherfolk and service personnel in islands.

• During the 2004 tsunami, modern communities in the islands were caught unawares and suffered large-scale devastation and significant loss of life.

• Tribal communities in the islands, such as the Onges, Jarawas, Great Andamanese, and Shompens, used experiential knowledge to foresee the calamity.

• These tribal communities saved themselves by moving to higher ground despite lacking access to modern science and technology.

• This demonstrates that modern cultures are not inherently superior to tribal cultures.

• Cultures cannot be ranked hierarchically but can be evaluated as adequate or inadequate based on their ability to cope with natural strains.