THE CONCEPT OF CULTURE AS A CAVALCADE OF THE CONTINUOUS EXPERIENCE AND WAY OF LIFE OF A PEOPLE

 All folks have culture which they acquired by virtue of membership in some social group or society. It is an umbrella term which encompasses the social behaviour and norms found in human societies, as well as the knowledge, beliefs, arts, laws, customs, capabilities and habits of individuals in these groups. 

Culture according to Edward Tylor (1870), is that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, law, morals, customs and any other capabilities and habits acquired by men as a member of a society. According to the center for advance research on language acquisition, culture is seen as shared patterns of behaviors and interactions, cognitive construct and understanding that are learned by socialization. 

Culture encompasses religion, marriage, music, food, language, dressing and many other things. for instance the south western part of Nigeria places much value on the consumption of Amala and Ewedu whereas in the south south like Delta State people place more value on the consumption of starch and owo as a result of the prevalent cultural practices. While the western culture permits a child to greet an elder by hugging them, kissing then on the cheek or even shaking hands with them, whereas the Africa culture frown at such practices. 

In Nigeria children greet their elders by kneeling, prostrating, squatting or bowing completely to the ground. 

CULTURAL TRANSMISSION 

Cultural transmission is the process through which experience and way of life in the form of morals, customs, values and beliefs are passed onto and taught to individuals and groups.

 Cultural transmission is the knowledge that is learned and transmitted to later generations. Cultural values, norms etc are transmitted through the agent of culture. 

Examples of these agents of culture are:

The family 

The society 

Religion 

The school 

Peer group 

The media 

SIGNIFICANCE OF SUSTAINING CULTURE AS A CAVALCADE OF EXPERIENCE AND WAY OF LIFE

It gives sense of identity and builds self-esteem: children must be taught that we are all different and that difference must not only be accepted but also celebrated and their culture is something they have to take pride in. our cultural heritage allows us to identify ourselves with others and deepen our sense of unity, belonging and national pride. 

It unites people, integrates them and ensures their strength as a community. 

It sharpens and regulates behavior: culture as a whole determines the framework in which a person can and should act. Culture regulates the behaviour of a person in his family, school, at work, home etc, by putting forward a system of prescriptions and prohibitions.

It is important to preserve our cultural heritage because it keeps our integrity as a people. The importance of intangible cultural heritage is not the cultural manifestation itself but rather the wealth of knowledge and skills that is transmitted through it from one generation to the next. 

NAME: RAPHAEL OGHENELOR OVIEGHARA 

COURSE: EDUCATIONAL MANAGEMENT AND ECONOMICS 

INSTITUTION: UNIVERSITY OF BENIN, UNIBEN. 

STATE CODE: OS/21A/1391

STATE OF ORIGIN: DELTA STATE