CULTURE
The term culture can be defined as the total way of life in a given society. It involves social, economic and political life of a particular people.
IMPORTANCE OF CULTURE
i) It is a factor for identity. This means that it differentiate one society from another. For example you can identify someone by using the language he uses or his/her dressing.
ii) It directs the society towards social values such as language and beliefs
iii) It promotes cooperation and unity among the people both internally and externally
iv) It enables people to transmit skills, knowledge and wisdom from one generation to another generation
v) It provides the house with necessary materials such as furniture
vi) It prepares youths to take their responsibilities in their adult age
vii) It helps to know the historical background of the society
viii) It entertains the society. For example through songs, dance and music
ix) It is a source of employment to the people
x) It promotes peace and harmony in the society
ASPECTS AND ELEMENTS OF CULTURE
ASPECTS OF CULTURE
There are four aspects of culture
1. Traditional culture
This is that culture which consists of beliefs and practices held by specific human group within a region. For example “Mtori” is a specific food for Chagga and “Matoke” for Haya tribe.
2. Material culture
This is that culture which is obtained when man struggles to master his environment. It involves technical skills and instrument of labor.
3. Foreign culture
Is that culture imported from outside of a particular society. For example colonial culture.
4. Intellectual culture
This includes the achievements reached in science, education, ethics, literature and arts.
ELEMENTS OF CULTURE
TRADITION: These are unchangeable experiences of the past that are inherited by the society from one generation to another. For example marriage, food, funeral ceremonies etc.
CUSTOMS: These are everyday practices of behavior which are passing and are subjected to changes for example dressing styles and greetings.
ARTS: these are manmade objects which are displayed or just for an enjoyment.
CRAFTS: These are real objects and instruments for example furniture, pottery, basketry, graphics etc.
LANGUAGE: This is a system of arbitrary vocal symbol through which people communicate. For example Kiswahili
IDEOLOGY: This combines the people’s beliefs including social, economic or political ideologies. For example “Ujamaa and Self reliance”
IMPORTANCE OF ELEMENTS OF CULTURE
i. Language is used as a tool of communication among the people
ii. Arts provide employment to the people.
iii. Crafts provides household with necessary materials such as furniture.
iv. Traditions are important because they can create harmony in the society such as prayers.
v. Ideology helps the society to attain a common goal
vi. Customs helps the society to abide to rules, principles and laws.
POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE ASPECTS OF OUR CULTURAL VALUES
1. POSITIVE ASPECTS OF OUR CULTURAL VALUES
i. Respect for all people
ii. Proper dressings
iii. Taking care of old, sick and disabled
iv. Cooperation and unity
v. Participation in community works
vi. Hard working
vii. Accountability and transparency
viii. Helping each other
2. NEGATIVE ASPECTS OF OUR CULTURAL VALUES
i. Female Genital Mutilation [FGM]
According to WHO, FGM refers to all procedures that involve partial or total removal of external female genitalia especially clitoris.
ii. Polygamism
This is a practice of having many wives at the same time
iii. Early Marriage
This is a cultural practice where a girl is marriage before the age of 18 years
iv. Bride price
This is an amount of money, livestock or any other asset paid to the family of bride as a sign of sincerity or appreciation.
v. Inheritance of spouse or widow
This is a cultural practice where a widow is inherited by one of the relatives of her late husband
vi. Food Taboos
These are principles which prohibit eating of a certain kind of food. For example in Africa some societies prohibit pregnant woman to eat eggs.
vii. Disregard of time
viii. Forced marriage
ix. Abuse of power
x. Gender discrimination
IMPACTS OF NEGATIVE ASPECTS OF OUR CULTURAL VALUES
1. FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION
i. Prolonged bleeding during and after the mutilation
ii. Disturbance of the natural vaginal elasticity during delivery of baby
iii. Reduction of sexual pleasure during sexual intercourse
iv. Spread of sexual transmitted disease (STDS)
v. It can lead to death due to excessive bleeding.
2. GENDER DISCRIMINATION
i. It can lead to unequal distribution of power in a community
ii. It can lead to poverty among women
iii. It reduces the spirit of competition among women, hence poor academic performance
iv. Presence of few women in managerial and decision levels
v. It can lead to sexual violence and aggression.
3. POLYGAMISM
i. Rapid population growth
ii. Transmission of STDs
iii. Death due to infections
iv. Malnutrition among women
v. It can lead to sexual violence and aggression.
4. EARLY MARRIAGE
i. It can lead to toxemia
ii. It can lead long difficult labor
iii. It can death during child birth
iv. It can lead to diseases such as fistula
v. It can lead to short life marriage
5. BRIDE PRICE
i. Violation of sexual rights
ii. Forced marriage
iii. Early marriage
iv. It can promote crimes such as theft.
CULTURE AND GENDER
GENDER: Refers to the socially constructed roles, behavior, activities and attributed that a particular society considers appropriate for men and women.
GENDER DISCRIMINATION
This is a situation where one kind of sex in a society is denied of its rights and opportunities simply because belonging to that sex category.
CUSTOMS WHICH LEAD TO GENDER DISCRIMINATION
The following are the customs which can lead to gender discrimination in our society
i. Sex preference: This is a cultural practice where one kind of sex is preferred more than the other sex. For example it is common in our societies that boy child is preferred more than girl child.
ii. Religious doctrines: Religious books and teachings such as Bible and Quran prohibit women to take part in leadership. This denies their right to be voted and to be involved in decision levels.
iii. Initiation ceremonies: This involves “Unyago” and “Jando”. In these ceremonies, girls are taught to be subservient to their future husbands. This denies their rights and freedom.
iv. Early marriage: This can deny the right of a girl to get education.
v. Forced marriage: This also can deny the right of a young girl to get education.
vi. Female Genital mutilation: This can lead to the spread of HIV/AIDS infections and ultimately death. This denies the right to life of a girl.
vii. Bride price: This can lead to gender discrimination because in many societies in Africa it is taken as enslaving factor, hence it strict the freedom of a woman.
viii. Food taboos: In some African societies women are prohibited to eat certain kind of foods. This denies their right to get nutritious food.
IMPACTS OF GENDER DISCRIMINATION
i. There is unequal distribution of powers in all spires of life. In politics, economics, military and social sector.
ii. It increases poverty to the women
iii. It reduces the spirit of competition among women hence poor performance.
iv. It can lead to sexual violence and aggression.
v. It can lead to underdevelopment in the nation.
CUSTOMS WHICH CAN LEAD TO THE SPREAD OF HIV/AIDS IN OUR SOCIETIES
HIV is an abbreviation of Human Immune Defiance Virus and AIDS is an abbreviation of Acquire Immune Defiance Syndrome.
The following are social cultural practices which can lead to the spread of HIV/AIDS
i. Female genital mutilation
This will cause HIV/AIDS if the same razor blade or knife can be used to more than one girl, therefore if the first one is affected, all other girls will be affected.
ii. Polygamism
This can lead to the spread of HIV/AIDS because it involve multiple partners hence if one partner is unfaithful all of them are in danger of getting AIDS.
iii. Inheritance of widow
This can lead to HIV/AIDS because in most cases no research is done to find out the case of death of the husband of the widow. Therefore, inherited widow may spread HIV from or to a man who inherit her.
iv. The use of traditional midwives who are not well trained can lead to the spread of HIV/AIDS
v. Traditional dances such as “chagulaga” among Sukuma, can lead to the spread of HIV because these dances are normally accompanied with alcohol drinking.
vi. Forced marriage. This can lead to the spread of HIV because sometimes someone can be forced to marry to a man with HIV.
vii. Cutting of tribal marks. In some African societies it is common for some tribes to put marks on their faces. For example Gogo where it is called “Ndonya”. This can involve sharing of sharp instrument hence spread of HIV.
viii. Religious doctrines. Religious teachings, both Bible and Quran prohibit the use of condom. This may lead to the spread of HIV/AIDS.
ix. Blood transfusion. This refers to the transfer of blood from a donor to recipient. If the donor is affected by HIV, then recipient also gets affected.
CULTURE AND PRODUCTIVE HEALTH
There is a greater relationship between culture and the reproductive health of a given society.
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
Reproductive health as defined by WHO Is a state of physical, mental and social well-being in all matters relating to reproductive system at all stages of life.
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH EDUCATION
This is the knowledge of reproductive system, its functions and processes.
IMPORTANCE OF REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH EDUCATION
i. It helps to prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as HIV/AIDS
ii. It helps to prevent major child diseases after birth
iii. It helps pregnant woman to take precaution during pregnancy for example to avoid smoking
iv. It helps to prevent unwanted pregnancies
v. It helps people to have a safe abortion
vi. It help to ensure steady and healthy motherhood
vii. It reduces the risk of death during child birth either the death of mother or child
viii. It is useful in the family planning
ix. It promotes gender rights and equality.
CULTURAL PRACTICES AFFECTING WOMAN THEIR REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
i. Female Genital Mutilation. This affects reproductive health of woman because the removal of clitoris may lead to excessive bleeding during child birth, also it may lead to the spread of HIV/AIDS
ii. Bearing of many children. This can lead to the poor health to that respective woman.
iii. Exclusion of women. Most women are not involved in family planning hence they are forced to bear many children.
iv. Food taboos. In some tribes women are forbidden from eating certain types of food such as eggs. This can affect the health of pregnant woman.
v. Bride price. This can affect reproductive health of a woman because in many societies for example among Kuria it has been taken as enslaving factor for woman. Women are beaten by their husbands.
vi. Early pregnancy. Research shows that there is a greater risk of death when a girl gets pregnant before the age of 18 years.
vii. Forced marriage. This can affect the reproductive health of a woman because in most cases it is difficult to find love between two partners something which can lead to sexual violence such as beating of woman.
viii. Beliefs in witchcrafts. This can affect the reproductive health of women due to the fact that most of them despise the modern health services. For example to go to hospital.
WAYS TO BE TAKEN AGAINST NEGATIVE ASPECTS OF OUR CULTURAL VALUES
i. Mass education should be given to the people on the impacts of negative aspects of our cultural values.
ii. There should be equal opportunities in political matters between men and women.
iii. The government should enact strictly law to punish those who entertain negative aspects of our cultural values.
iv. Women should be given opportunities to resources such as land
v. More education opportunities should be given to women
vi. There should be special organization responsible for women matters such as TAWLA, TGNP, UWT etc
vii. There should be effort to improve rural technology
PROMOTION AND PRESERVATION OF OUR NATIONAL CULTURE
NATIONAL CULTURE
This is a symbol of national identity; it comprises such things as language, art, science, technology, education, beliefs and values.
EFFORTS TAKEN BY TANZANIA GOVERNMENT TO PROMOTE AND PRESERVE HER CULTURE SINCE INDEPENDENCE
i. In 1962, the government established ministry for national culture and youth
ii. In 9th August 1967, the government established the national Kiswahili council (BAKITA)
iii. In 1967, the government established national sports council (BMT)
iv. The government has established council for national festival and state celebration
v. The government has established the department of museum, antiquates and national archive.
vi. The government established national film censorship board
vii. The government has established department of Arts and Crafts
viii. The government has established a national Arts council (BASATA)
IMPORTANCE OF PROMOTING AND PRESERVING NATIONAL CULTURE
i. Culture is a factor for identification
ii. Culture employs people for example through arts and crafts
iii. Culture helps to transmit skills, knowledge and wisdom from one generation to another
iv. It provides household with important furniture such as chairs table, chairs, sofa etc
v. It brings unity and cooperation among the people
vi. It helps to know the historical background of a given society
vii. It entertains the society for example through music and sports
viii. It directs a society towards social values such as beliefs.
THE ROLES OF DIFFERENT INSTITUTIONS IN PROMOTING AND PRESERVING NATIONAL COUNCIL
1. THE NATIONAL KISWAHILI COUNCIL
The council was established in 1967. The major roles of this institution are:
i. To promote and develop Kiswahili as a national language
ii. To coin new words from local languages
iii. To encourage educated Africans to participate in Kiswahili literature and writing
iv. To encourage high standard of Kiswahili
v. To work with other bodies in the country which are devoted to promote Kiswahili such as TUKI
2. THE NATIONAL SPORTS COUNCIL
This was established in 1967. The major roles of this institution are:
i. To promote, develop and control all Amateur sports in the country. Amateur sports are sports just for enjoyment
ii. To train coaches and sponsor the organizers
iii. To provide grants to national associations such as TFF
iv. To resolve conflicts arising in sports associations such as clubs
v. To bridge up the sports stakeholders and the government
vi. To encourage and facilitate international sports competition
3. THE NATIONAL FESTIVAL AND STATE CELEBRATIONS COUNCIL
The main roles of this council are:
i. To ensure that the government does not engage in meaningless and unending celebrations
ii. To ensure that national celebrations are marked by cultural entertainments such as local dances etc
4. THE DEPARTMENT OF MUSEUM, ANTIQUITIES AND NATIONAL ARCHIVE
Museums: These are places where historical information is preserved.
Antiquates: These are objects of very long time ago. Eg ancient buildings such as mosques, churches and tombs for example Kaole in Bagamoyo, Kilwa and Mikindani.
National Archive: these are places where old written records are kept.
ROLES
i. To provide a safe place for preserving national traditions, customs and work of arts.
ii. To serve education institutions for current and future generations
iii. To serve as cultural and recreational centers for people
iv. To serve as a secondary source of data
v. To preserve cultural heritage
5. THE NATIONAL FILM CENSORSHIP BOARD
This was formed with the following roles
i. To censor a film before it is shown
ii. To ban films which promote bad behavior such as sexual violence, prostitution, drug abuse etc
iii. To supervise the works of artists
FACTORS WHICH HINDER THE PROMOTION AND PRESERVATION OF NATIONAL CULTURE
i. Colonial legacy. This is about the mentality created by whites to the Africans. Many Africans still think that they are inferior before white people. Therefore it is difficult to change their minds.
ii. Low level of science and technology. The capacity of production materially and morally is very low in our country, hence we depend everything from abroad. The important of goods from abroad leads to the spread of foreign culture.
iii. Globalization. This is socio-economic, political and cultural phenomenon where the world has been integrated into a single global village. The phenomenon hinders the promotion of national culture because of greater interaction among the people.
iv. Ignorance. In Tanzania today about 31% of these ignorant people are limited to their environment. Therefore it is difficult to organize them.
v. Lack of fund. Due to the poor economy of our country it is difficult to promote our national culture because no money to conduct research and to document or culture.
vi. Poor government policy. The government provides little support in promoting and preserving our culture, for example the budget set is still very low.
THINGS WHICH CAN BE DONE TO PROMOTE AND PRESERVE OUR NATIONAL CULTURE
i. There should be integrations of culture with education and work
ii. Mass education should be given to the people on the importance of culture
iii. The government should enact laws to protect intellectual property
iv. Establishment of cultural clubs in schools, colleges and in communities
v. The govern should reduce dependency on foreign aids
vi. There should be formulation of good policies which can lead to the development of our culture
vii. The laws should be enacted to punish those who despise culture.
CULTURE OF PREVENTIVE CARE AND MAINTAINANCE OF PERSONAL AND PUBLIC PERSONAL AND PUBLIC PROPERTY
PREVENTIVE CARE: This refers to the situation where there is a wise use of personal or public property with the aim of protecting it from damage.
MAINTANANCE: This involves repairing of personal or public property so that to protect it from more damage.
IMPORTANCE OF CULTURE OF PREVENTIVE CARE AND MAINTANANCE
i. It helps to avoid unnecessary costs
ii. It helps to create conductive environment to workers
iii. It helps to protect and preserve environment
iv. It helps to increase the life span of the property
v. It can maintain the production system
vi. It help to promote the development of an individual or company
CONSEQUENCES OF NEGLECTING TIMELY REPAIR AND MAINTAINANCE
i. It can lead to environmental degradation such as air pollution
ii. It can endangers the life of workers
iii. It can reduce the production
iv. It can cost a lot for example in up-keeping buildings
v. It can lead to underdevelopment of a person or a nation
vi. It reduces the life span of property
PROMOTION OF LIFE SKILLS
Life skills: refers to the ways in which an individual applies self mental ability to control or deal with environment.
IMPORTANCE OF LIFE SKILLES
i. It helps to develop relationship and friendship with other people
ii. It help an individual to attain his or her goals
iii. A health skill helps an individual to learn different types of diseases and how to prevent them
iv. It helps to solve personal or community problems
v. It helps to improve the quality of production
PROBLEM SOLVING
Lives skills constitute a knowledge and aptitude that are necessary for a person to work independently with maximum efficiency.
IMPORTANCE OF PROBLEM SOLVING
i. Helps to tackle problems which seems to be complex
ii. Helps to reduce stress and frustrations
iii. Helps to minimize conflicts in the society
iv. Helps to overcome limitations in human mental machinery
v. It can help to serve the life of an individual
STEPS IN PROBLEM SOLVING
The process of problem solving consists of a sequence of components subjected to the type of problem in place.
1st Problem identification
This involve recognizing and defining a problem
2nd Problem analysis and clarification
This involves analyzing and clarifying the problem
3rd Generating possible alternatives
This is to brainstorm on the number of alternative or options that can be used to solve a problem
4th Analyzing the solutions
This is to list advantages and disadvantages of each option
5th Choosing the best solution or alternative
After you have listed advantages and disadvantages now choose the most appropriate solution to your problem
6th Implementing a solution
This is the application of the solution you have opted
