Culture: Shared Beliefs, Values & Codes of Behavior - Essay Sample

Introduction

Culture can be described as the beliefs, values, and codes of behaviors shared by a group of people from an individual community. Different cultures have been known to have standards that are either similar or different from other cultures. Different cultures contain different values and beliefs, which are demonstrated by how people from a particular culture perceive world events, communication, religion, cuisine, and moral codes of conduct. A community is recognized by the culture built within it, which also determines one's identity. In that case, culture defines the individuality and the behaviors of a person, or a specific group of people. Therefore, the study of culture informs the learner about the beliefs and morals associated with one particular group of people and tells them the ideal principles to observe when dealing with that culture. Moreover, the study of culture helps one to develop multicultural skills that may help them to diversify their beliefs and associate with other cultures in mindfulness and a professional outlook. Multi-cultural knowledge is necessary in ethical dealings as it is related to positive relationships between cultures, leading to the development of values that are relatable and able to associate with the others harmoniously, without discrimination of demography or ethnic origin. America is known for its diversity due to the availability of numerous cultures within it, which have varying origins and backgrounds. Thus, it is considered the most diverse state in the west. Different cultures hold unlike beliefs in the quality of life for women, male dominance, family life, and traditions. Moreover, these cultures show different classes of understanding of the American culture after migration to the United States, and how the Native Americans responded to them, as well as the struggle of women to overcome the challenges faced after migration. The paper argues that different cultures have notable differences and similarities in education, legal authority, the role of women and how they are received in foreign countries.

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Diverse sets and sources of rules govern different cultures. The ancient Egypt culture believed in the form of authority that runs across generations. If a leader issued an order, it was followed without fail, unless someone related to the leader or who had been authorized by the leader decided otherwise. For instance, the story of the chair carrier in the book Arabic Short Stories by Denys Johnson-Davies describes the power of an order issued by a leader in Egyptian culture. The culture of this era believes that instructions given by a leader were supposed to be strictly followed, and a violation of the same would result have harmful effects on an individual. However, the Egyptians were strict followers of instructions from their leaders, as in the short story, Chair Carrier. However, the ancient Egypt culture is linked to the inability to read and write, since most people during these times could not afford education. The man who has been carrying a chair on his shoulder confesses that de does not know how to read (Denys 4). Moreover, the story suggests the power of a political order, where a leader was known as Uncle, was strong enough punish, or assign different tasks to individuals. The Egyptian culture wore tiny pieces of animal hide that covered only the front and the back. The rest part of the body was left naked.

On the other hand, the story The Gap in Kaltouma's Fence shows that the Kabashi community believed that significant decisions and cases, as well as legal advice, were only issued by the Faki, a person who has learned religious laws. The Faki provided the final decision of crucial issues, including marriage. The culture believed in education, and educated people were highly recognized in society, unlike the Ancient Egyptian culture that rarely got an education. Moreover, the community is led by a tribal chief, who is known as the Shartay. However, from the comparison of the two cultures, one notes that both cultures indicate a formality in their legal system. However, they differ in the ways through which an order is delivered as the Egyptians only follow the rules given by a leader, or someone from his lineage, which is referred to as the token of authorization, and the Kabashi culture only receive legal pieces of advice from the Faki through a decent outlook that is based on religious laws (Denys 8).

Women are seen as the ones responsible for raising children in almost all cultures. However, some cultures believe that a man should be married to numerous wives. Women were seen as items of beauty and were supposed to maintain it at all levels. However, in the Ancient African community, women were forced to marry a partner who was selected by their parents. This tradition is seen in the Story of Kaltouma, who marries an educated man, against her will. However, the quality of life among these women is wavy, as some found happiness in their marriages, while others went through intimidation and mistreatment by their husbands. However, the roles of women were to look after her family and care for their husbands (Denys 7). The African culture shows women with specific tasks of taking care of the family, while husbands were the heads of the family. Men played their roles as herders and farmers. They protected the family and took care of the various needs of the family.

The Response of immigration of people from Africa to Europe and other south countries was unexciting and scaring, as existence only sunk in sadness and silence. According to the story Drumming Sands, life in a foreign country was a nightmare for most Africans moving to foreign countries. They faced discrimination and promises that were hard to fulfill. The author states that "it promises you everything that is priceless that can be given to a traveler who has lost his way" (Denys, 86). This shows that the conditions faced by this culture in foreign countries are hostile and the response from other cultures is not very friendly. Although the narrator suggests that he survived all the blemishes and discrimination through resistance, he argues that one can achieve their dreams in those countries even if their existence might be problematic.

Conclusion

In conclusion, distinct cultures show some similarities and some differences with others when it comes to some identifiable features. For instance, the Egyptian culture believed in the form of governance where a leader offers an order that cannot be waivered by anyone else who does not have a token of power. However, the Kabashi culture's laws are enforced by a Shartay, and a group of learned educated lawyers sets them. However, all these cultures contain a legal form of authority. Women in African society are responsible for caring for their husbands and children, although some were married to their spouse by force or married a person who was selected by the parents. Africa-immigrants to Europe were treated with hostility, and their survival became dependent on their resistance. Therefore, the similarities and differences shown by different cultures show that different culture have varying experiences and beliefs.

Work Cited

Denys, Johnson-Davies, "Arabic Short Stories. London, NY: Quartet Books, 1983: 187. Print.