What Is My Culture

Question 1: Defining My Culture

As an African, specifically a Nigerian, my culture is a rich fusion of various traditions, practices, and values that have been handed down from generation to generation. (Culture) Community life, family values, and reverence for elders are firmly ingrained in our society. Our dancing, art, and music all reflect our history and tradition, and we are proud of them. Spicy and savory foods are a mainstay in our cuisine, which is a crucial component of our culture (Sinai et al., 2017).

My culture's customary wedding ceremony is one instance that best represents what I cherish about it. With presents and offerings for the bride's family, the groom, and his family attend the ceremony to ask the bride's parents for her hand in marriage. It unites both families to celebrate love and togetherness during the ceremony, which features a vibrant exhibition of our ethnic costumes, music, and dancing.

My culture places a lot of value on family and community, another noticeable element. In our society, the family is regarded as the pillar, and both immediate and extended family members are valued equally.(Culture) We take delight in hosting huge family get-togethers where everyone can celebrate important events and get to know one another better. My culture heavily influences every part of my life as an African Nigerian (Sinai et al., 2017). It is evident in how I behave around others, what I eat, what I wear, what I listen to, and how I dress.

Each tradition and ritual in our society has a specific significance around it, and the culture is rich in symbolism. Generally, the traditions, practices, and beliefs that have been adopted from generation to generation make up a lovely intermingling of my culture.

Question 1: Beliefs and Assumptions

The presumptions we have about the world around us are known as beliefs. They profoundly impact our culture and how we view ourselves and others. I believe certain things because they are ingrained in my cultural heritage as an African Nigerian. I think everyone should adhere to the following five fundamental guidelines:

One of the most critical aspects of our society is respect for elders. Everyone needs to respect those who are more experienced and knowledgeable than they are. We may all benefit from the knowledge and experience of elders, who are a great source of wisdom (O’Neill et al., 2018). Another aspect is hospitality, in which even my culture strongly believes in extending a warm welcome to visitors and anyone else who comes into our lives. In my opinion, everybody should be courteous and welcoming to others, especially those in need. This fosters a sense of belonging and encourages compassion and empathy.

Another characteristic that, in my opinion, should be imitated is the importance of community in our society. We all have a connection, according to my culture. Everyone should collaborate to create strong, encouraging communities that accept everyone's uniqueness and are inclusive. Our society places high importance on education and holds the notion that knowledge is power; thus, this is another essential factor (O’Neill et al., 2018).

Everyone deserves the chance to learn and develop and access an education. In addition to being crucial for personal growth, education also empowers individuals and communities. I also strongly believe in the value of perseverance and hard work. All individuals should always strive to acquire their respective life goals and hunt their dreams despite adversity presence. Various researchers and real-life circumstances have already proven determination and hard work as essential from diverse perspectives, mainly for growth, development, and success (O’Neill et al., 2018).

Question 3: Valuing Unique Beliefs

 Although there are numerous common beliefs in my culture, other beliefs are exclusive to some individuals in the community. From my perspective, I highly believe, adore, and value the significance of environmental conservation and sustainability. I strongly think that we are responsible for taking care of the earth and conserving its natural resources for future generations.

I am passionate about saving the environment. However, I have discovered that certain people in my community do not always appreciate this belief as I do. Human activity's effect on the environment may occasionally need to be noticed or understood (Adams, 2019). In other situations, conflicting priorities or economic interests come first and put environmental concerns on the back burner.

I engage in conversation with those who disagree with me on the value of protecting the environment and enlighten them about the effects of human activities on the world whenever I come across someone who does not share my viewpoint. By trying to lessen my carbon footprint and lead a more sustainable lifestyle, I also attempt to set an example for others.

Although I acknowledge that everyone has distinctive thoughts and viewpoints, I also know that it is not my responsibility to force my beliefs on others. I endeavor to comprehend their viewpoint and instead look for areas of agreement. It is possible to overcome differences and strive toward a more sustainable future for all by engaging in respectful conversation and highlighting shared ideals.

Question 4: Cultural Changes

As a Nigerian, I have observed various alterations occurring in my culture throughout my life. The effects of globalization and the growing sway of Western culture have been among the most significant impacts. This has, in many ways, given our community new opportunities and viewpoints, but it has also called into question some of our long-standing beliefs and customs (Yúdice, 2018).

In contrast to our historical emphasis on community and hospitality, there has been an increasing trend in recent years toward individuality and materialism. Younger generations could be more inclined to place a higher value on individual success and accomplishment than on the common good, which can lead to friction and conflict in the neighborhood.

Positive improvements that show a rising consciousness of social and environmental issues have also occurred during the same period. For instance, in the recent past, there has been a solid and great emphasis on women's education and fights to strengthen their rights, which has assisted in empowering people, especially females, and promoting equality in society (Yúdice, 2018).

Several facets of our culture that I anticipate will improve in the future, especially regarding how we treat underrepresented groups and interact with the environment, are to be seen as positive. In addition to a reaffirmed dedication to our historic ideals of community and hospitality, I hope to see a stronger emphasis placed on social justice and environmental sustainability.

However, there are also aspects of our society that I hope will not change with time. For instance, I think it will be difficult for people to maintain a sense of pride in our rich cultural past and customs while adjusting to the new environment. In my opinion, we can develop a strong, resilient, and dynamic culture by embracing both the old and the new.

Question 5: Learning Culture

Observation and imitation are two of the main ways that culture is taught. This process frequently gets started in early childhood as kids watch how their parents, relatives, and neighbors behave and go about their daily lives (Legare, 2019). As a young child growing up in Nigeria, I picked up a lot of cultural practices through imitation and observation. For instance, I picked up traditional cooking skills from seeing my mother and grandma in the kitchen. My parents' treatment of visitors and interactions with neighborhood residents taught me the value of respect and hospitality.

Oral tradition and storytelling are also crucial ways to learn about my culture. Stories and fables are used in many cultures to teach essential morals and teachings (Legare, 2019). The oral tradition is a common way for these tales to be passed down from generation to generation. Nigerian folktales and legends, for instance, have a long history of telling stories and contain numerous morally significant lessons.

The myth of the tortoise and the hare, which highlights the value of patience and persistence, is one of my favorite fables. Cultural organizations like museums and cultural centers are another way to learn about the culture in addition to these informal teaching approaches. These organizations allow people to learn about their own and other cultures, encouraging respect and understanding between people of different cultural backgrounds.