AMITY UNIVERSITY UTTAR PRADESH, NOIDA

AMITY BUSINESS SCHOOL

SPANISH CULTURE AND TRADITION (SPAN144)

Submitted to:
Mr Atul Kumar
Submitted By:
Soumya Bhardwaj
(A010192289)
MBA General
Culture of Spain
Introduction

Uniquely diverse and rich fields are incorporated into modern Spanish culture. As such,
covering the culture of the whole country within a specific period is almost impossible. The
existing Spanish culture originated from the domination of this country by some people over
a thousand years ago. The culture of these people is indicated by the ancient castles, ruins,
language, festivals, art and music. Stanton notes that Spain is a country that follows its
traditions steadfastly. People in Spain pledge loyalty to the region where they come from
more than they do to their national government. There is cultural diversity in this country and
this diversity is based on the region’s autonomy which is the basis of Spain. Every Spanish
culture depicts a spectacular identity that is created from the characters of the people.
However, this ends up with a celebration in the whole country or region. The aim of this
study is to expound on different customs that the culture of Spain depicts.

Religions and festivities

Spain has remained a strong Catholic state for some time. Christianity was introduced by the
Romans in Spain. Christianization continued until the Romans were invaded by the Muslims
from the Northern part of Africa. Nevertheless, the Christian insurgency won and they
expelled the Muslims from Spain. Spain was ruled by King Ferdinand from 1400 to 1500. At
this time, he ordered Spaniards to transform into Roman Catholics. Consequently, other
religious groups were compelled to adopt Roman Catholicism but others opted to get out of
this country. Over 97% of Spaniards are still Roman Catholics up to now although non-
Catholics are allowed to practice any religion openly. Nevertheless, all Spaniards irrespective
of the faith that they practice live in a catholic surrounding or environment. This comprises of
shrines, churches as well as artistic heritage that is referred to by the religion. The basis of the
national culture of the Spanish is the Catholic environment. Therefore, visitors and citizens
must understand this environment. Saints are honoured by Christians who go on pilgrimages
which entail seeing their statues. An example that can illustrate this is the belief that Mary’s
statue brings good luck.

Festivals or fiestas are usually held by the Spaniards. These are either secular or religious.
They are held every year in urban settlements and rural areas. Businesses are usually closed
during fiestas and people take part in dancing and eating the entire night. Additionally,
attendants call one another Dona or Don and then the person’s first name. Sumana Santa,
Nachleben and Navidad are some of the fiestas of the Spaniards. Most of them have a
Catholicism attachment. There is a fiesta for every city and this is held in honour of their
special cultural identity. An example of this is a fiesta that is held in Pamplona city in honour
of patron saints. Bulls that run in the streets are the most interesting part of the festival.
People wearing white clothes wait for charging bulls which chase them via narrow streets.
Residents come together in Barcelona City during the Day of Saint George, celebrated on the
23rd of April. They celebrate love on this day. The entire nation is usually at a standstill
during public holidays for celebrations. Spaniards observe holidays strictly without extension
in case the day comes on the weekend.
Urbanism and use of space

Spain as a nation started from the early small tribal groups at the time of the rule of the
Romans. The other social and cultural progressions emerged from the presence of the
Romans. Usually, the Spaniards were living in settlements that were tightly clustered. These
structures’ concentration caused urban centres’ emergence. In Spain, the majority of the rural
areas comprised stores, dwelling houses, churches, schools, pastures and gardens. The types
of settlements are associated with the locality. Most houses in rural areas are built
traditionally and they host both humans and animals. This settlement is not preferred by most
Spaniards.

In places with dispersed settlements, people mostly practice livestock keeping and mixed
cultivation. However, most Spaniards hate living in isolation. In rural areas, people have
multi-family villages. Stones, bricks, and timber are the most preferred building materials.
Most Spain cities including Valencia, Barcelona and Madrid attract the rural populace. Each
villager would like to live in the cities because services and opportunities are available there.
Monuments and palaces are located away from rural homes and these show the architecture
of the Spaniards. This country prides itself on having a spectacular Islamic architecture that
includes the Alhambra which is found in Granada and Great Mosque situated in Cordoba.

Food

The traditional food of the Spaniards emerged during the period of the agrarian revolution.
They remain common and their preparation entails the use of hands and fresh ingredients
from the market are used. Different areas in Spain have their cuisines. Comida, which is a
family meal, is preferred by the Spaniards. This can be taken with colleagues and friends.
Food sharing boosts good relationships. As such, seeing a person eating alone at a place
where people eat or drinking alone in a Spanish bar is unusual. Members of a family take
breakfast at varying times on the basis of their work schedules. People take mid-day meals at
around 2.00 pm. This is the main meal of the day. Individuals travel home where they take
comida before returning to work. Siesta is very important and it is part of the Spanish
customs that are recognized by all Spaniards. People rest at this time and it lasts from 1.30 to
5 o’clock.

Drinking and eating are common ways through which the Spaniards spend time together. It
usually happens during special events and every day. Christmas and Easter are among the
common religious events which bring friends and families together. Weddings and birthdays
are also great opportunities during which people eat together. People also gather in social
groups during leisure time and they enjoy drinks and food together. There are also table
customs that are observed in the Spaniard's culture. Hosts are allowed to be the first ones to
eat. The guests are motioned by the host to their seats prior to being served meals.

Social stratification

Individuals’ achievements determine the social classes that they belong to. There are three
classes in Spain society. These include the lower, middle and upper classes. Families with
members who can afford money for hiring babysitters who look after their kids as they go to
work belong to the upper social class. These are represented by large homeowners who have
expensive furniture. Families that send children to public or private schools yet they do not
have much possession similar to those of the families in the upper class represent the middle
social class. Families whose members perform laborious jobs with children attending public
schools belong to the lower social class. The majority of the lower social class families
cannot afford to hire a babysitter. They also struggle to meet their necessary needs.

Professions and occupations also illustrate social stratification. Nevertheless, there is an

interaction among social classes. People interact in bars and hotels regardless of the social
classes that they belong to. Apart from family inheritance, education provides a social
advancement platform. Urban and rural settlements have differences which create distinctions
in society. In Spain, farming is honoured as a self-employed trade although it is not valued
much. As such, traders and farmers residing in Spain’s countryside belong to the lower status.
Material worth exhibits social stratification. This includes jewellery, leisure, clothing and
homes. There is a large gap between the poor and the rich at the economic level in Spain.
There is a class for Spain’s royal family. Although this country endeavours to achieve
equality, there are groups that are discriminated against along tribal and gender lines. Spanish
women still face sexual harassment and low wages.

Political life

The national identity of Spain was acquired when Christians chose to unite in order to fight
Islam. Parliamentary monarchy governs Spain and this includes the bicameral legislature.
The state is headed by a monarch who performs the duties of selecting a government’s head
(Hay 104). Absolute powers are vested in the King. From the time when General Franco died,
the state has been headed by the King. He also promotes order within the government. The
government is headed by a prime minister from a majority party. Many parties are allowed to
take part in the elections.

Political resignations in Spain are virtually unheard of. This is because people see resignation
as a serious political weakness due to the fact that parliamentary democracy was embraced in
this country following Franco’s death in 1975. The dictatorship was the ruling style in Spain
before this time. From 1923 all the way to 1931, a political model that General Primo de
Rivera had designed was used to rule Spain. This leader was associated with Spain’s
modernization. Actually, this political system was fighting for workers’ rights and this was
something rare in a kingdom that was ruled by a dictatorship. More optimism came with the
Second Republic because it brought a separation of the state from the Church since it
restricted Catholicism. Opposition kept growing and this caused a Civil War. The uprising
was led by General Franco. On taking over, Franco established a totalitarian state that aimed
at eliminating enemies.

Spain was influenced by the experience of the Portuguese making it embraces democracy.
This led to the smooth succession of Juan Carlos I from Franco. The free market replaced the
protectionism system that was practised under Franco. Modern Spain is politically organized
into 17 “autonomous regions” as well as 50 provinces. In Spain, leadership is considered an
accomplishment of a person. It is supported by family connections. Party membership relies
on the ability of the government to provide jobs to the citizens. The responsibility of guarding
villages is under informal control in society. Military officers are from the higher classes in
society although people join the army voluntarily. Young men have the freedom to establish
social groups within their villages on the basis of their age.

Gender roles and statuses

In Spain, the family is a very important institution for both females and males. Family is even
more crucial than work since it promotes collectively instead of individualism. Roles are
shared among the Spaniards on the basis of social status and gender. The contracts of
traditional gender assert the main women’s role which is at the centre of a family. Men on the
other hand are the breadwinners in the family . Agriculture is practised as the major activity
in rural areas. Men play the heaviest tasks and women attend to house chores and gardens.
Women and men can perform any task in professional farming and herding.

Managing domestic economies and raising children is the responsibility of married couples.
Women and men across Spain are allowed to engage in leisure activities together even in
public places. Culture permits men to practice politics in their public life while religious
activities are observed by women as well as looking after the children in their homes. Old
women servants mainly provide household help. The culture depicted women as
homemakers. However, women are allowed to run businesses in modern culture and they are
also employed in different professions. Women also engage in politics. Property inheritance
is allowed by Castilian law and they can also dispose of their property whenever they please.
Equal sharing of inheritance is also allowed by the law among members of a family
irrespective of gender. Women retain surnames in most regions even after their marriage.
Family titles’ succession is allowed for royal women if there are no brothers in their family.

Marriage and family

Spanish culture requires marriage to be a partnership in which each partner’s input is

important. Owning property was traditionally more vital than love at the time of courtship.
People were encouraged to court for a long and breaking marriage ties was not allowed.
Remarriage of women who cannot bear children due to their old age and divorce is abhorred
by the Spaniards’ culture. Nevertheless, weddings and these customs are considered special
events and they attract a large gathering of guests. Gender culture is a characteristic of Spain
and family relationships are encouraged as well as individualism levels Families display a
collectivist culture which gives life meaning while bringing prosperity and personal
happiness.
Work is not considered by culture and independent aspect of family and work time cannot
compete with family time. In Spain, the attitude that families have towards life is positive.
Studying is encouraged for children so that they can be successful in life.

Language, arts and humanities

The establishment of the Latin language followed the Roman conquest. This led to the
emergence of Iberian languages. The language that is used the most in Spain is Castilian
Spanish. This is used mostly in courts, offices and schools. Art is highly valued by the
Spaniards. They visit architectural monuments and art museums regularly just to admire
artefacts. Most Spanish artists are treated like celebrities. Humanities and fine arts are highly
valued in universities and professional academies. Decorative arts are an important aspect of
the national legacy in Spain. They are displayed in museums within Spain as well as in other
regions of the world. There are strong architectures that are developed by the Spaniards for
painting and sculptures. Their mode and designs resemble national or regional identities.

Musical instruments, dances and songs are perceived in a unique way more so in the
Andalucía region. The impression that is created by musical expressions is completely
different from power resistance and hierarchy. Flamenco refers to a dancing type whose
characteristic is hands clapping and stomping. This dance includes playing a guitar and
dancers depict emotions. Movies are also loved by the Spaniards and a lot of time is allocated
to them by cultural analysts who spend time studying the film industry in Spain. Soccer is
loved by many Spaniards and they go to the fields to watch their teams playing. There are
clubs where membership in Barcelona FC is passed down the generation tree.

Conclusion

The culture of the Spaniards still values ancient Spain’s customs although they have been
transformed with modern technology and novelty. This culture was influenced by the
Romans. Roman Catholicism is the basis of most customs of the Spanish. Historically, a lot
of emphases was put on relationships in the family in Spain because collectively was valued
more than individualism. This is depicted by the way people leave workplaces to have
midday meals with families. Sisters and brothers share inherited properties equally. There is a
wide gap between the lower and upper social classes but there are free interactions among
people in these classes during public events. Artworks and decorations are valued by the
Spaniards because they are important aspects of their national heritage. People abandon their
activities just to celebrate public holidays. There are different cultures because of
autonomous regions in Spain and every culture exhibits its exceptional identity that is created
from its attributes but these are distinguished in the country or the whole region.
 INTRODUCTION ABOUT MYSELF

Soy Soumya Bhardwaj. Básicamente, pertenezco a Delhi. He estado viviendo en Delhi por 22
años. Me quedo aquí con mi familia. Además de mis padres, hay una hermana menor en mi
familia. Actualmente, estoy persiguiendo a MBA de la escuela de negocios de amity y
recientemente he terminado la informática de BTech de la UIP.

Estoy muy interesado en la ciencia, la tecnología y la administración de empresas. Por eso

elegí realizar estudios superiores en MBA. Después de eso, mi experiencia de pasantía y otros
proyectos prácticos en la universidad aumentaron aún más mi interés en una opción de
carrera a tiempo completo.

No solo me apasiona el campo en el que me gradué en informática BTech . También me

inclino hacia actividades creativas como bailar, pintar, actuar, etc. Siempre he sido un
estudiante activo en la escuela y la universidad. He participado en muchos eventos culturales
durante mis días de escuela y universidad y he ganado muchos premios.

Disfruto salir con amigos y probar nuevas cocinas en mi tiempo libre. También disfruto
viendo películas, escuchando música, leyendo, haciendo ejercicio y haciendo viajes por
carretera.