C U LT U R A L

H I S T O R Y.
C U LT U R A L
IDENTITY
• Cultural history records and interprets past events involving
human beings through the social, cultural,
and political milieu of or relating to the arts and manners that
a group favors. Jacob Burckhardt (1818–1897) helped found
cultural history as a discipline. Cultural history studies and
interprets the record of human societies by denoting the
various distinctive ways of living built up by a group of
people under consideration. Cultural history involves the
aggregate of past cultural activity, such as ceremony, class in
practices, and the interaction with locales. It combines the
approaches of anthropology and history to examine popular
cultural traditions and cultural interpretations of historical
experience.
 A S U RV E Y O F C U LT U R A L
H I S T O R Y: E X P L O R I N G T H E
DIVERSITY OF HUMAN
EXPRESSION

• Before we can begin to explore the impact of cultural history, we must first define what culture is. According
to anthropologist Clifford Geertz, “culture is an historically transmitted pattern of meanings embodied in
symbols, a system of inherited conceptions expressed in symbolic forms by means of which men
communicate, perpetuate, and develop their knowledge about and attitudes toward life.”1 In other words,
culture is a set of shared beliefs, values, and behaviors that are passed down from generation to generation.
• Cultural expression takes many forms, including language, music, art, literature, technology, cuisine, clothing,
and dance. Different cultures around the world have developed their own unique ways of expressing
themselves. For example, in India, the classical dance form of Bharatanatyam is used to tell stories and express
emotions, while in Japan, the tea ceremony is used to honor guests and promote harmony. In Mexico, the
tradition of Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is celebrated to remember and honor deceased loved ones.
 T H E I M PA C T O F
C U LT U R A L H I S T O R Y O N
MODERN LIFE
• Cultural history has had a profound impact on modern life. It shapes our identities,
beliefs, values, and behaviors, as well as our relationships with others. Our
experiences are informed by the cultures we come from, and this affects how we
view the world and interact with others. Studies have shown that people who have
strong ties to their cultural heritage feel more connected to their community and
have a greater sense of belonging.
• Cultural history also shapes our beliefs and values. Studies have found that people
are more likely to believe in certain values when they are surrounded by people
who share those same values. For example, if you grow up in a family or
community where education is valued, you are more likely to value education than
if you were raised in a place where education is not seen as important.
• Finally, cultural history has a significant impact on our behavior. Research has
shown that people who strongly identify with their cultural heritage are more likely
to engage in culturally specific behaviors. This could include anything from
participating in traditional ceremonies to speaking a particular language or
following certain dietary restrictions.
 I N V E S T I G AT I N G
THE ORIGINS OF
C U LT U R A L
•
TRADITIONS
In order to understand the influence of cultural history, it is
important to investigate the origins of cultural traditions.
Geography plays a major role in shaping cultures. Different
climates, terrain, and resources influence the way people live
and the type of lifestyle they adopt. Religion and philosophy also
have a major impact on culture. People often use religious and
philosophical beliefs to explain their surroundings and make
sense of the world.
• Historical events can also shape culture. Wars, migrations, and
conquests can all have a lasting impact on cultural development.
For example, the Spanish conquest of the Aztecs led to the
spread of Catholicism throughout Latin America, and the slave
trade had a major impact on African-American culture in the
United States.
 C U LT U R A L I
DENTITY
• Cultural identity is a part of a person's identity, or
their self-conception and self-perception, and is
related to nationality, ethnicity, religion, social
class, generation, locality, gender, or any kind of
social group that has its own distinct culture. In
this way, cultural identity is both characteristic of
the individual but also of the culturally identical
group of members sharing the same cultural
identity or upbringing. Cultural identity is a
unfixed process that is continually evolving
within the discourses of social, cultural, and
historical experiences. Some people undergo
more cultural identity changes as opposed to
others, those who change less often have a clear
cultural identity. This means that they have a
dynamic yet stable integration of their culture.
• There are three pieces that make up a person's
cultural identity: cultural knowledge, category
label, and social connections. Cultural
knowledge refers to a person's connection to
their identity through understanding their
culture's core characteristics. Category label
refers to a person's connection to their identity
through indirect membership of said culture.
Social connections refers to a person's
connection to their identity through their social
relationships. Cultural identity is developed
through a series of steps. First, a person comes
to understand a culture through being
immersed in those values, beliefs, and
practices. Second, the person then identifies as
a member of that culture dependent on their
rank within that community. Third, they
develop relationships such as immediate
family, close friends, coworkers, and
neighbors.
• Culture is a term that is highly complex and often
contested with academics recording about 160 variations
in meaning. Underpinning the notion of culture is that it
is dynamic and changes over time and in different
contexts resulting in many people today identifying with
one or more cultures and many different ways.
• It is a defining feature of a person's identity, contributing
to how they see themselves and the groups with which
they identify. A person's understanding of their own and
other's identities develops from birth and is shaped by the
values and attitudes prevalent at home and in the
surrounding community.
 QUESTIONS
• What is Cultural history?
Cultural history records and interprets past events involving human beings through the social, cultural, and politi
cal milieu of or relating to the arts and manners that a group favors.
• What is cultural identity?
Cultural identity is a part of a person's identity, or their self-conception and self-
perception, and is related to nationality, ethnicity, religion, social class, generation, locality, gender, or any kind
of social group that has its own distinct culture.
• What are the parts of a person's Cultural identity?
There are three pieces that make up a person's cultural identity: cultural knowledge, category label, and social co
nnections.