Culture:- The English word ‘Culture’ is derived from the Latin term ‘cult or cultus’ meaning tilling, or cultivating or refining and worship. Culture includes Science, Social life, Literature, worships, festivals, dressing, sculptures, political system Three words came from this root ‘Kri; prakriti’ (basic matter or condition), ‘Sanskriti’ (refined matter or condition) and ‘vikriti’ (modified or decayed atter or condition) when ‘prakriti’ or a raw material is refined it becomes ‘Sanskriti’ and when broken or damaged it becomes ‘vikriti.
The culture we inherit from our predecessors is called our cultural heritage.
Cultural Heritage:-Cultural heritage includes all those aspects or values of culture transmitted to human beings by their ancestors from generation to generation. They are cherished, protected and maintained by them with unbroken continuity and they feel proud of it.
Characteristics of Culture:-
- Culture is learned and acquired
- Culture is shared by a group of people
- Culture is cumulative
- Culture changes
- Culture is dynamic
- Culture is diverse
- Culture is ideational
Importance of Culture:-
- Without culture, there would be no humans
- Culture is made up of traditions, beliefs, way of life, from the most spiritual to the most material
- Human beings are creators of culture and, at the same time, culture is what makes us human.
- A fundamental element of culture is the issue of religious belief and its symbolic expression.
- The three eternal and universal values of Truth, Beauty and Goodness are closely linked with culture.