Malaysian Studies Lesson 4 (1)

The Culture of Malaysian Society

Definition

Culture Culture is that complex whole which

includes knowledge, belief art, law, morals, custom, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member as society. (Edward Taylor, 1871)

Definition A total way of life held in common by a

group of people, including such learned features as speech, ideology, behavior, livelihood, technology, and government.

(http://www.utexas.edu/deprs/grg/sanders/GRG305/glossary.htm)

UNDERSTANDING CONCEPTS OF CULTURE

In general definition, culture is the entire life style of certain community or their entire thinking aspects and behaviour which were inherit from one generation to another through learning process.

UNDERSTANDING CONCEPTS OF CULTURE

Which means culture is the complex entity which including knowledge, beliefs, arts, decency, laws, customs and other ability or habit which are acquire by humans as a part of community.

CULTURE FIELD

Culture can be grouped as:

1) Thoughts/ideasLike knowledge, languages, philosophy, literature, mitos, legend, beliefs and folk stories

CULTURE FIELD2) Materialism

Like buildings, machineries, object de art, costumes, foods, medicines and furniture

CULTURE FIELD

3) ArtsDivided into two field which are acting art (theater, dance, music, songs) and visible art (carvings, engraving, drawings, plaiting and weaving)

CULTURE FIELD4)Values and Norm

Like rules, law, custom, folk-ways & mores, style and behaviour, prohibitions, religious values and politeness

Characteristics of Culture• Each culture has its own history, ideology,

traditions, values, lifestyles and languages that determine how individuals interact with one another.

• Culture provides individuals with both implicit guidelines on how to view the world and behave in relation to others and the environment.

Characteristics of Culture• Beliefs make up the truths of a culture.• Truth for one culture may be radically different

from truths of another culture.• Cultures differ on beliefs regarding family

dynamics, gender roles, sexual behaviors, diet, personal hygiene, body alterations, dress, drug use, leisure, medicine, etc

(http://unr.edu/homepage/dballard/sld009.htm)

Characteristics of Culture• Culture is learned.• Culture is inculcated.• Culture is a social phenomenon.• Culture is a social gratifying.• Culture is adaptive.

(http://mccoy.lib.siu.edu/bruner/culture/tsld003.htm)

Heritage Heritage is related to something that has

been inherited from one generation to the next by someone or a group of people in a community.

It is about the memories of a lifestyle of a people that reflects their civilization.

Heritage Malaysia is a multi-racial country with rich

cultural heritages. Much of its cultural heritages are recorded

in various formats - manuscripts, artifacts, sculptures, traditional motif and designs on textiles and jewelers, etc.

Heritage Some of these items are kept in libraries,

museums, archives, art galleries and cultural centres.

There are also traditional songs and music, poems and rhymes, legends, traditional herbs, and oral traditions, which are handed down from generation to generation.

Heritages’ Recognition at International Level

1. World Heritage List • Kinabalu National Park (Listed in year2002)• Mulu Cave National Park (Listed in year2002)• Pahang-Terengganu-Kelantan National Park (Tentative List)• Niah Cave, Sarawak (Tentative List)

Kinabalu National Park (Listed in year2002)

Mulu Cave National Park (Listed in year 2002)

Niah Cave, Sarawak (Tentative List)

National Cultural Policy The National Cultural Policy was formulated

in 1971. The Policy consists of three important

elements:

National Cultural Policy

1) It must be based on the culture of the indigenous people of this country.

2) Elements from other cultures which are suitable and acceptable may be incorporated into it.

3) Islam will be an important element in the national culture.

Cultural Promoting Agencies

Istana Budaya

National Arts Culture and Heritage Academy

National Art Gallery

Malaysian National Library

Activity “Discuss the importance of preserving our

culture.” Provide a video clip with 2 minutes of time

frame. Method of approach: Interview or feed back

from the public?