Minggu, 21 Oktober 2012

Arab Culture

Arab culture refers to the culture in the countries in which the official language is Arabic(although the Arabic language in some of them is the language of minority), and the west officials and scholars used to call them "Arab countries" of West Asia and North Africa, from Morocco to the Persian Gulf. Language, literature, gastronomy, art, architecture, music, spirituality, philosophy, mysticism (etc.) are all part of the cultural heritage of the pan-Arab world.

It is sometimes difficult to translate Islamic concepts, and concepts specific to Arab culture at the beginning, without using the original Arabic terminology. The Qur'an is written in Arabic, and Muslims traditionally deem it impossible to translate in a way that adequately expresses its exact meaning; until recently, some schools of thought maintained that it should not be translated at all. 

A list of Islamic terms in Arabic covers those terms which are too specific to translate in one phrase. While Arabic is strongly associated with Islam (and is the language of salah), it is also spoken by Arab Christians, Oriental Mizrahi Jews, and smaller sects such as Iraqi Mandaeans.

Most of the world's Muslims do not speak Arabic, but only know some fixed phrases of the language, such as those used in Islamic prayer. However, learning Arabic is an essential part of the curriculum for anyone attempting to become an Islamic religious scholar.








Culture India

The culture of India refers to the religions, beliefs, customs, traditions, languages, ceremonies, arts, values and the way of life in India and its people. India's languages, religions, dance, music, architecture, food, and customs differ from place to place within the country. Its culture often labeled as an amalgamation of these diverse sub-cultures is spread all over the Indian subcontinent and traditions that are several millennia old.

Several elements of India's diverse culture, such as Indian religions, yoga, and Indian cuisine, have had a profound impact across the world. Pakistan and North Indian States follow the medieval Indo-Persian culture, exemplified by it's musical, culinary and architectural designs like the Taj Mahal, while South India is largely independent from foreign influences — three of the four languages classified as classical languages of India belong to the Dravidian language family, namely Kannada, Tamil and Telugu.






Culture United States

The culture of the United States is primarily a Western culture, but is also influenced by Native American, Asian, Polynesian, African, and Latin American cultures. American culture started its formation over 10,000 years ago with the migration of Paleo-Indians from Asia into the region that is today the continental United States. It has its own unique social and cultural characteristics such as dialect, music, arts, social habits, cuisine, and folklore. The United States of America is an ethnically and racially diverse country as a result of large-scale immigration from many different countries throughout its history.

Its chief early European influences came from English, Scottish, Welsh and Irish settlers of colonial America during British rule. British culture, due to colonial ties with Britain that spread the English language, legal system and other cultural inheritances, had a formative influence. Other important influences came from other parts of western Europe, especially Germany, France, and Italy. 

Original elements also play a strong role, such as the invention of Jeffersonian democracy. Thomas Jefferson's Notes on the State of Virginia was perhaps the first influential domestic cultural critique by an American and a reactionary piece to the prevailing European consensus that America's domestic originality was degenerate. Prevalent ideas and ideals that evolved domestically, such as national holidays, uniquely American sports, military tradition, and innovations in the arts and entertainment give a strong sense of national pride among the population as a whole.

American culture includes both conservative and liberal elements, scientific and religious competitiveness, political structures, risk taking and free expression, materialist and moral elements. Despite certain consistent ideological principles (e.g. individualism, egalitarianism, and faith in freedom and democracy), American culture has a variety of expressions due to its geographical scale and demographic diversity. The flexibility of U.S. culture and its highly symbolic nature lead some researchers to categorize American culture as a mythic identity; others see it as American exceptionalism.

It also includes elements that evolved from Indigenous Americans, and other ethnic cultures—most prominently the culture of African Americans, cultures from Latin America, and Asian American cultures. Many American cultural elements, especially from popular culture, have spread across the globe through modern mass media.

The United States has often been thought of as a melting pot, but recent developments trend towards cultural diversity, pluralism and the image of a salad bowl instead. Due to the extent of American culture, there are many integrated but unique social subcultures within the United States. The cultural affiliations an individual in the United States may have commonly depend on social class, political orientation and a multitude of demographic characteristics such as religious background, occupation and ethnic group membership.

Culture Philippines

The culture of the Philippines reflects the country's complex history. It is a blend of the Malayo-Polynesian and Hispanic cultures, with influence from Chinese. The Philippines was first settled by Melanesians; today they preserve a very traditional way of life and culture, although their numbers are few. After them, the Austronesians or more specifically, Malayo-Polynesians, arrived on the islands.

Today the Austronesian culture is very evident in the ethnicity, language, food, dance and almost every aspect of the culture. These Austronesians engaged in trading with China, India, Japan, the Ryukyu islands, the Middle East, Borneo, and other places. As a result, those cultures have also left a mark on Filipino culture.


When the Spanish colonized the islands, after more than three centuries of colonization, they had heavily impacted the culture. The Philippines being governed from both Mexico and Spain, had received a little bit of Hispanic influence. Mexican and Spanish influence can be seen in the dance and religion many other aspects of the culture. After being colonized by Spain, the Philippines became a U.S. territory for about 40 years. Influence from the United States is seen in the wide use of the English language, and the modern pop culture.









Jumat, 19 Oktober 2012

Culture Thailand



The culture of Thailand incorporates cultural beliefs and characteristics indigenous to the area known as modern day Thailand coupled with much influence from ancient India, China, Cambodia, along with the neighboring pre-historic cultures of Southeast Asia. It is influenced primarily by Animism, Hinduism, Buddhism, as well as by later migrations from China, and southern India.


Culture Singapore

Singapore was a part of British Malaya for many centuries. It was ruled by the Sultanate of Johor. In 1819, the British came to the Island and set up a port and colony. During British rule, the port of Singapore flourished and attracted many migrants. After World War 2, Singapore became an independent nation and a republic, which it remains today.

Singapore has a diverse populace of nearly 5 million people which is made up of Chinese, Malays, Indians, Caucasians and Eurasians (plus other mixed groups) and Asians of different origins, which is in line with the nation's history as a crossroads for various ethnic and racial groups. The temples of Chinatown can still be seen in certain towns in Singapore.
In addition, 42% of Singapore's populace are foreigners, which makes it the country with the sixth highest proportion of foreigners worldwide.

Singapore is also the third most densely populated in the world after Macau and Monaco.
Singaporean culture is best described as a melting pot of mainly Chinese, Indian, British, and Malay cultures, a reflection of its immigrant history

Culture Malaysia

The culture of Malaysia draws on the varied cultures of the different people of Malaysia. The first people to live in the area were indigenous tribes that still remain; they were followed by the Malays, who moved there from mainland Asia in ancient times. Chinese and Indian cultural influences made their mark when trade began with those countries, and increased with immigration to Malaysia. Other cultures that heavily influenced that of Malaysia include Persian, Arabic, and British. The many different ethnicities that currently exist in Malaysia have their own unique and distinctive cultural identities, with some crossover.

Arts and music have a long tradition in Malaysia, with Malay art dating back to the Malay sultanates. Traditional art was centred around fields such as carving, silversmithing, and weaving. Islamic taboos restricted artwork depicting humans until the mid-20th century. Performing arts and shadow puppet shows are popular, and often show Indian influences. Various influences can be seen in architecture, from individual cultures in Malaysia and from other countries. Large modern structures have been built, including the tallest twin buildings in the world, the Petronas Twin Towers, . Malaysian music has a variety of origins, and is largely based around percussion instruments. Much early Malaysian literature was based on Indian epics, which remained unchanged even as Malays converted to Islam; this has expanded in recent decades. English literature remained restricted to the higher class until the arrival of the printing press. Locally created Chinese and Indian literature appeared in the 19th century.

Cuisine is often divided along ethnic lines, but some dishes exist which have mixed foods from different ethnicities. Each major religious group has its major holy days declared as official holidays. Official holidays differ by state; the most widespread one is Hari Merdeka, which celebrates the independence of Malaya. Although festivals often stem from a specific ethnic background, they are celebrated by all people in Malaysia. Traditional sports are popular in Malaysia, while it has become a powerhouse in international sports such as badminton. Malaysia hosted the Commonwealth Games in 1998, the first Commonwealth Games where the torch passed through more countries than England and the host.


The Malaysian government has taken the step of defining Malaysian Culture through the "1971 National Culture Policy", which defined what was considered official culture, basing it around Malay culture and integrating Islamic influences. This especially affected language; only Malay texts are considered official cultural texts. Government control over the media is strong, and most media outlets are related to the government in some way.

Culture Indonesia


The culture of Indonesia has been shaped by long interaction between original indigenous customs and multiple foreign influences. Indonesia is centrally-located along ancient trading routes between the Far East and the Middle East, resulting in many cultural practices being strongly influenced by a multitude of religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Islam and Christianity, all strong in the major trading cities. The result is a complex cultural mixture very different from the original indigenous cultures.

Examples of cultural fusion include the fusion of Islam with Hindu in Javanese Abangan belief, the fusion of Hinduism, Buddhism and animism in Bodha, and the fusion of Hinduism and animism in Kaharingan; others could be cited.
Indonesian art-forms express this cultural mix. Wayang, traditional theater-performed puppet shows, were a medium in the spread of Hinduism and Islam amongst Javan villagers. Both Javanese and Balinese dances have stories about ancient Buddhist and Hindu kingdoms, while Islamic art forms and architecture are present in Sumatra, especially in the Minangkabau and Aceh regions. Traditional art, music and sport are combined in a martial art form called Pencak Silat.

Western culture has greatly influenced Indonesia in science, technology and modern entertainment such as television shows, film and music, as well as political system and issues. India has notably influenced Indonesian songs and movies. A popular type of song is the Indian-rhythmical dangdut, which is often mixed with Arab and Malay folk music.

Despite the influences of foreign culture, some remote Indonesian regions still preserve uniquely indigenous culture. Indigenous ethnic groups Mentawai, Asmat, Dani, Dayak, Toraja and many others are still practicing their ethnic rituals, customs and wearing traditional clothes.

Culture Japan

This time, aq want to discuss about Japanese culture. There are at least 4 things Japanese culture interesting to talk about.1. Work-> Most of the Japanese people are a workaholic, her work is a second home. and co-workers are family. Working late into the night is not uncommon dsini.My workplace there are two Japanese people who are aged 50 years and above, every day after work between 8-9 hours a night. Morning around 8 o'clock already come. Usually on Saturday also came to the office until 7 pm. So time for the family for they are Saturdays and week talaga.All types of jobs here does not distinguish gender. Girls become truck drivers or taxi drivers are not unusual here. Japan did not embrace gender differences as in Indonesia. Whole together, there is no term 'first woman' here.2. Decorum-> Japanese people are very familiar with manners. If you compare it with Java, probably about the same or even more polite Japanese people. Japanese language has penggolongan2 words based on the level of courtesy. Well, the same Java language lah .. no chromo, ngoko etc.. Here are the forms of Keigo, futsuke, etc..Are treated most polite customer. For the Japanese customer just like God, they would be very indulgent customer. (Basic people Atheism)3. Drink-> Maybe if the culture is almost negara2 forward (west) are the same. Drinking culture is often performed to glue relations / relationships. Well, klo already minum2, isininya cman mlulu laugh ..... any diketawain ..When I came home last week from the same hanami orang2 office, we stopped at a tavern. Party beer and sushi ..... (aq klo enough coca cola) ... Wow .. Kaco .. orang2 japan at all .... but drunk drunk Japanese people do not cause problems safer .. instead it talaga laugh .....4. Religion-> Most of the Japanese people embraced Buddhism. But in kenyataaanya .. they were actually not religious even many who do not believe in god. The Japanese birth is celebrated with shinto culture (sun worship), married in the church, such as Buddhist klo dead (cremated). Essentially they are just doing good for others, they do not do worship sprituil, but enough to do good.

Cultures Asian

The Asian century is symbolized by Indian genre films (Bollywood), Hong Kong genre films, Japanese Animation, and the Korean Wave. The awareness of the different Asian cultures may be a part of a much more culturally aware world, as proposed in the Clash of Civilizations thesis. Equally, the affirmation of Asian cultures has an impact on the identity politics of Asians in Asia and outside in the Asian diasporas.

 The Gross National Cool of Japan is soaring; Japanese cultural products, including TV shows, are undoubtedly “in” among American audiences and have been for years. About 2.3 million people studied the language worldwide in 2003: 900,000 South Koreans, 389,000 Chinese, 381,000 Australians, and 140,000 Americans study Japanese in lower and higher educational institutions.
Feng Shui books topped the nonfiction best-seller lists and Feng Shui schools have multiplied. Major banks and multinational corporations admit to employing Feng Shui consultants to advise them on the organization of their offices. There has been a readiness to supplement eastern forms of medicine, therapy, and massage and reject traditional western medicine in favor of techniques, such as acupressure and acupuncture.
And practices such as moxibustion and shiatsu enjoy enormous popularity in the west. So too for that matter, do virtually all the Eastern martial arts, such as Judo, Karate, Aikido, Taekwondo, Kendo, Jujitsu, Tai Ji, Qigong, Ba Gua, and Xing Yi, together with their many associated schools and subforms. Even the smallest town in Britain, Scandinavia, or the United States generally has at least one Indian or Chinese restaurant.
Though the use of English continues to spread, Asian languages are also becoming more popular to teach and study outside of the continent. The study of Chinese has recently gained greater attention in the United States, owing to a growing belief in the economic advantages of knowing it. It is also being encouraged through PRC's support of Confucius Institutes, which have opened in numerous nations to teach the Chinese language and culture.
Chinese has been rated as the second most used language on the internet with nearly a quarter speaking Chinese, Japanese came as fourth, and Korean as the tenth as of 2010. According to the CIA, China is the country that hosts the most users, Japan the third, India the fourth, and South Korea as the tenth as of 2008.
 India has the largest film industry in the world, and Bollywood produces even more films than Hollywood. Bollywood's annual growth is at 12.6%, higher than Hollywood's 5.6%.
There has been a rapid rise of what has been called the animal rights movement, and also in the growth of vegetarianism which stem from the principle of Ahimsa in the religions of Hinduism, Buddhism, and especially Jainism. In the past popular sports of cockfighting and bull, bear, and badger baiting. What is more such conduct was not considered un-Christian or unethical in any way.
In the early years of the twentieth century very few people indeed were vegetarians. The figure given for the United Kingdom during World War 2 was a mere 100,000 out of a population of some 50 million...around 0.2 percent of the total. However, by the 1990s the figure was estimated as between 4.2 percent and 11 percent of the British population, and rising rapidly (Cohen, 1999). As Porritt and Winner observe, as recently as the sixties and early seventies, "being a vegetarian was considered distinctively odd", but "it is now both respectable and common place".