Culture definition is broad and cannot be summed up in a single
explanation. Culture definition can be complex and philosophical—saying it’s a
people’s drive for perfection. But I choose to see culture as living life. The things
you eat, what you say and how you say it, the language you speak, how you walk,
the music you listen to—your everyday routine, is shaped by what is called
culture—which is unique across space and time.
Culture is ordinary, that is the central idea to Raymond Williams definition of culture and I agree. To me, there is nothing
spectacular about culture because that is what we were thought, that is the way
we were raised. That is our everyday life. We did not go to school to learn it.
There was no ‘culture class’. Our parents did not tell us ‘look, I am about to
teach you culture’. It is something, though we weren’t born with it, but
somehow, it’s become inherent in us, like we were born with it. So when we see
others do otherwise, it looks alien and becomes an avenue for pride and
judgment.
Aime Cesaire said that culture is everything. Even the
littlest thing, as greeting is culture. A particular tribe in Nigeria, Yoruba, has
their young men prostrating flat down on the ground to greet an elder. Such
greeting is strange and considered weird in America. I remember my high school
teacher freaking out when a man from that tribe told his son to prostrate flat,
lying on the floor, to ask for forgiveness from her, because he had acted out.
She was shocked and felt embarrassed. But to that tribe, it is customary, and necessary
to show respect and sincerity.
What am I saying? Culture is simple. I was born, I observed
and followed suit—being scolded when I didn’t. So what we find acceptable and
normal, is a product of where we find ourselves. Therefore, culture is living.
