WHAT IS CULTURE?

Culture is the people’s totality way of life. Culture is the characteristics of a particular group of people, defined by everything that distinguishes them from other group. This can be seen in their language, religion, food, social habits, music and arts. Culture can be influenced by the many groups of people that live within the entity. This means that culture is dynamic.

Culture is a complex system of behaviour, values, beliefs, traditions and artefacts, which is transmitted through generations 

Culture is a learned pattern of behaviour, and is a way in which a person lives his life. It is an integral part of every society, and creates a feeling of belonging and togetherness among the people of that society. 

Culture encompasses various aspects of communication, attitude, etiquette, beliefs, values, customs, norms, food, art, jewellery, clothing styles, etc. Every society has a different culture, which gives it an identity and uniqueness. 

In spite of the vast cultural diversity, there are certain elements of culture that are universal. They are known as cultural universals, which comprise certain behavioural traits and patterns that are shared by all cultures around the world. For instance, classifying relations, having some form of art and music, use of jewellery, classifying people according to gender and age, etc., are common in all cultures of the world. 

"A culture is a configuration of learned behaviours and results of behaviour whose component elements are shared and transmitted by the members of a particular society" (Linton R. 1945) 
From the definitions above, one can extract the elements of culture 
Language: The various languages are essentially an important part of the culture. 
Norms: Every society or every civilization has a set of norms, which are an inseparable part, and an important element of the culture. This can include the folk ways  mores, taboos and rituals in a culture. 
Values: The social values of a particular civilization are also considered as an element of the culture. The values of a culture often refer to the things to be achieved or the things, which are considered of great worth or value in a particular culture. 
Religion and Beliefs: The religion and the beliefs of the people in a civilization play an important role in shaping up of the culture as well. 
Social Collectives: Social collectives refer to the social groups, organizations, communities, institutions, classes, and societies, which are considered as symbolic social constructions. 

Status and Role in Society: A status or a social role is nothing but a slot or position within a group or society, which gives an overall idea of the social structure and hence is an important element of culture. This can also include traditional gender-based or age-based roles. 

Cultural Integration: This includes the degree of harmony or integration within the various elements of culture. This can include elements like sub-cultures, local cultures and the difference between historical and cultural traditions. 



BASIC CULTURAL CHARACTERISTICS

The basic characteristics of a culture are that it is cumulative, dynamic, shared and learned.

Culture is cumulative, it embrace all aspect of life. Ranging from language, custom, food, norms, values, to religion and beliefs. This means that culture is the sum total of peoples life. This is what makes the group unique. It also distinguishes the group from other groups. 

Culture is dynamic. The culture of any particular group is constantly evolving and undergoing slow changes. Each generation brings along a new set of changes and developments in the culture of that society. Moreover, long-term exposure to different cultures leads to the exchange of certain cultural aspects. Due to the dynamic nature of a culture, it should reflect and be influential to its citizen. 

Culture is shared, by which we mean that every culture is shared by a group of people. Depending on the region they live in, the climatic conditions they thrive in and their historical heritage, they form a set of values and beliefs. This set of their principles of life shapes their culture. No culture belongs to an individual. It is rather shared among many people of a certain part of the world. It belongs to a single community and not to any single human being. 

Culture is learned. The members of a culture share certain ideals, which shape their lives. Generations learn to follow these ideals and principles. Culture propagates through generations, which adopt their old customs and traditions as a part of their culture. The ideals they base their lives on is a part of their culture. Cultural values are imparted from one generation to another, thus resulting in a continual of traditions that are a part of culture. The language, the literature and the art forms pass across generations. Culture is learned, understood and adopted by the younger generations of society. No individual is born with a sense of his/her culture. He/she has to learn it. 

The importance of culture lies in the fact that it is a link between people and their value systems.

OBAMA ACCEPTANCE SPEECH, NOVEMBER 7, 2012

Civigraphics is using this opportunity to thank all the men of goodwill who joined me in congratulating President Barack Obama of The United States. This master piece graphic was widely twitted, shared in many facebook pages. It is indeed the highest artefact of civigraphics that has gotten the highest ovation. Though Obama is not an Igbo man but he is very paradigmatic like an Igbo man. The Igbo man love his fellow man differential in colour race, status or profession not withstanding. Igbo man is cultural rooted and bestow honour to one who deserves it. It was on this premise therefore that I, Kelechi Amucha, the creator of civigraphics decided to depict Barack Obama in a chieftaincy regalia of Igbo culture. The kolanut is antidote to peace, love, unity and progress, We offered kola nut to you to chew and palm wine to drink. its chewing and drinking Sir, will diminish hunger and fatigue as you lead the United States. Elders of Igbo land agree that once the kola nuts are blessed with incantations, the visitor  will feel ensured that he is welcome. It's my desire that before the elapse of Obama's tenure, we shall welcome him with a physical kolanut in Igbo land.
Let me introduce you to President Barack Obama's acceptance speech after winning his re-election bid on November 7, 2012.
THE PRESIDENT OBAMA:


Thank you. Thank you. Thank you so much.

Tonight, more than 200 years after a former colony won the right to determine its own destiny, the task of perfecting our union moves forward.

It moves forward because of you. It moves forward because you reaffirmed the spirit that has triumphed over war and depression, the spirit that has lifted this country from the depths of despair to the great heights of hope, the belief that while each of us will pursue our own individual dreams, we are an American family and we rise or fall together as one nation and as one people.

Tonight, in this election, you, the American people, reminded us that while our road has been hard, while our journey has been long, we have picked ourselves up, we have fought our way back, and we know in our hearts that for the United States of America the best is yet to come.

I want to thank every American who participated in this election...

... Whether you voted for the very first time or waited in line for a very long time.

By the way, we have to fix that.

…Whether you pounded the pavement or picked up the phone...

... Whether you held an Obama sign or a Romney sign, you made your voice heard and you made a difference.

I just spoke with Governor Romney and I congratulated him and Paul Ryan on a hard-fought campaign.

We may have battled fiercely, but it’s only because we love this country deeply and we care so strongly about its future. From George to Lenore to their son Mitt, the Romney family has chosen to give back to America through public service and that is the legacy that we honor and applaud tonight.

In the weeks ahead, I also look forward to sitting down with Governor Romney to talk about where we can work together to move this country forward.

I want to thank my friend and partner of the last four years, America’s happy warrior, the best vice president anybody could ever hope for, Joe Biden.

And I wouldn’t be the man I am today without the woman who agreed to marry me 20 years ago.

Let me say this publicly: Michelle, I have never loved you more. I have never been prouder to watch the rest of America fall in love with you, too, as our nation’s first lady.

Sasha and Malia, before our very eyes you’re growing up to become two strong, smart beautiful young women, just like your mom.

And I’m so proud of you guys. But I will say that for now one dog’s probably enough.

To the best campaign team and volunteers in the history of politics...

The best. The best ever. Some of you were new this time around, and some of you have been at my side since the very beginning.

But all of you are family. No matter what you do or where you go from here, you will carry the memory of the history we made together and you will have the life-long appreciation of a grateful president. Thank you for believing all the way, through every hill, through every valley.

You lifted me up the whole way and I will always be grateful for everything that you’ve done and all the incredible work that you put in.

I know that political campaigns can sometimes seem small, even silly. And that provides plenty of fodder for the cynics that tell us that politics is nothing more than a contest of egos or the domain of special interests. But if you ever get the chance to talk to folks who turned out at our rallies and crowded along a rope line in a high school gym, or saw folks working late in a campaign office in some tiny county far away from home, you’ll discover something else.

You’ll hear the determination in the voice of a young field organizer who’s working his way through college and wants to make sure every child has that same opportunity.

You’ll hear the pride in the voice of a volunteer who’s going door to door because her brother was finally hired when the local auto plant added another shift.

You’ll hear the deep patriotism in the voice of a military spouse whose working the phones late at night to make sure that no one who fights for this country ever has to fight for a job or a roof over their head when they come home.

That’s why we do this. That’s what politics can be. That’s why elections matter. It’s not small, it’s big. It’s important. Democracy in a nation of 300 million can be noisy and messy and complicated. We have our own opinions. Each of us has deeply held beliefs. And when we go through tough times, when we make big decisions as a country, it necessarily stirs passions, stirs up controversy.

That won’t change after tonight, and it shouldn’t. These arguments we have are a mark of our liberty. We can never forget that as we speak people in distant nations are risking their lives right now just for a chance to argue about the issues that matter, the chance to cast their ballots like we did today.

But despite all our differences, most of us share certain hopes for America’s future. We want our kids to grow up in a country where they have access to the best schools and the best teachers.



A country that lives up to its legacy as the global leader in technology and discovery and innovation, with all the good jobs and new businesses that follow.

We want our children to live in an America that isn’t burdened by debt, that isn’t weakened by inequality, that isn’t threatened by the destructive power of a warming planet.

We want to pass on a country that’s safe and respected and admired around the world, a nation that is defended by the strongest military on earth and the best troops this -- this world has ever known.

But also a country that moves with confidence beyond this time of war, to shape a peace that is built on the promise of freedom and dignity for every human being. We believe in a generous America, in a compassionate America, in a tolerant America, open to the dreams of an immigrant’s daughter who studies in our schools and pledges to our flag.

To the young boy on the south side of Chicago who sees a life beyond the nearest street corner.

To the furniture worker’s child in North Carolina who wants to become a doctor or a scientist, an engineer or an entrepreneur, a diplomat or even a president -- that’s the future we hope for. That’s the vision we share. That’s where we need to go -- forward.

That’s where we need to go.

Now, we will disagree, sometimes fiercely, about how to get there. As it has for more than two centuries, progress will come in fits and starts. It’s not always a straight line. It’s not always a smooth path.

By itself, the recognition that we have common hopes and dreams won’t end all the gridlock or solve all our problems or substitute for the painstaking work of building consensus and making the difficult compromises needed to move this country forward. But that common bond is where we must begin. Our economy is recovering. A decade of war is ending. A long campaign is now over.

And whether I earned your vote or not, I have listened to you, I have learned from you, and you’ve made me a better president. And with your stories and your struggles, I return to the White House more determined and more inspired than ever about the work there is to do and the future that lies ahead.

Tonight you voted for action, not politics as usual.

You elected us to focus on your jobs, not ours. And in the coming weeks and months, I am looking forward to reaching out and working with leaders of both parties to meet the challenges we can only solve together. Reducing our deficit. Reforming our tax code. Fixing our immigration system. Freeing ourselves from foreign oil. We’ve got more work to do.

But that doesn’t mean your work is done. The role of citizens in our Democracy does not end with your vote. America’s never been about what can be done for us. It’s about what can be done by us together through the hard and frustrating, but necessary work of self-government. That’s the principle we were founded on.

This country has more wealth than any nation, but that’s not what makes us rich. We have the most powerful military in history, but that’s not what makes us strong. Our university, our culture are all the envy of the world, but that’s not what keeps the world coming to our shores.

What makes America exceptional are the bonds that hold together the most diverse nation on earth.

The belief that our destiny is shared; that this country only works when we accept certain obligations to one another and to future generations. The freedom which so many Americans have fought for and died for come with responsibilities as well as rights. And among those are love and charity and duty and patriotism. That’s what makes America great.

I am hopeful tonight because I’ve seen the spirit at work in America. I’ve seen it in the family business whose owners would rather cut their own pay than lay off their neighbours, and in the workers who would rather cut back their hours than see a friend lose a job. I’ve seen it in the soldiers who reenlist after losing a limb and in those SEALs who charged up the stairs into darkness and danger because they knew there was a buddy behind them watching their back.

I’ve seen it on the shores of New Jersey and New York, where leaders from every party and level of government have swept aside their differences to help a community rebuild from the wreckage of a terrible storm.

And I saw just the other day, in Mentor, Ohio, where a father told the story of his 8-year-old daughter, whose long battle with leukaemia nearly cost their family everything had it not been for health care reform passing just a few months before the insurance company was about to stop paying for her care.

I had an opportunity to not just talk to the father, but meet this incredible daughter of his. And when he spoke to the crowd listening to that father’s story, every parent in that room had tears in their eyes, because we knew that little girl could be our own.

And I know that every American wants her future to be just as bright. That’s who we are. That’s the country I’m so proud to lead as your president.

And tonight, despite all the hardship we’ve been through, despite all the frustrations of Washington, I’ve never been more hopeful about our future.

I have never been more hopeful about America. And I ask you to sustain that hope. I’m not talking about blind optimism, the kind of hope that just ignores the enormity of the tasks ahead or the roadblocks that stand in our path. I’m not talking about the wishful idealism that allows us to just sit on the sidelines or shirk from a fight.

I have always believed that hope is that stubborn thing inside us that insists, despite all the evidence to the contrary, that something better awaits us so long as we have the courage to keep reaching, to keep working, to keep fighting.

America, I believe we can build on the progress we’ve made and continue to fight for new jobs and new opportunity and new security for the middle class. I believe we can keep the promise of our founders, the idea that if you’re willing to work hard, it doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from or what you look like or where you love. It doesn’t matter whether you’re black or white or Hispanic or Asian or Native American or young or old or rich or poor, able, disabled, gay or straight, you can make it here in America if you’re willing to try.

I believe we can seize this future together because we are not as divided as our politics suggests. We’re not as cynical as the pundits believe. We are greater than the sum of our individual ambitions, and we remain more than a collection of red states and blue states. We are and forever will be the United States of America.

And together with your help and God’s grace we will continue our journey forward and remind the world just why it is that we live in the greatest nation on Earth.

Thank you, America. God bless you. God bless these United States.

ALL SOULS' DAY NOVEMBER 2

The commemoration of all the faithful departed is celebrated by the church on 2 November

Often overshadowed by the two days preceding it, Halloween (October 31) and All Saints' Day (November 1), All Souls Day is a solemn feast in the Roman Catholic Church commemorating all of those who have died and now are in Purgatory, being cleansed of their venial sins and the temporal punishments for the mortal sins that they had confessed and atoning before entering fully into Heaven.

For My Departed Loved Ones

O Almighty God, Who by the love which You have for men, have willed to take our humanity, to live a life of hard work, to suffer a most cruel Passion, and finally to die on the Cross, I beseech You, by the infinite merits purchased for us with Your Precious Blood, look mercifully on the suffering which is endured by the holy souls in Purgatory. Accept, O merciful God, the prayers which I offer for them, and call them to the glory of heaven. I recommend to You the souls of my relatives, friends, and benefactors, and in a special manner of those to whom I may have been an occasion of sin by my bad example.

Most Holy Virgin, Mother of Mercy, Comforter of the Afflicted, intercede for those souls, that, by your powerful intercession, they may be admitted to enjoy that kingdom which is prepared for them. Amen.

for more insight about this feast http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/religion/re0199.html

ALL SAINTS DAY. NOVEMBER 1

All Saints Day is when the Church commemorates all saints, known and unknown. The eve of All Saints is known as All Hallows Eve, or Halloween. All Saints Day is November 1

Father, All-Powerful and ever-living God,
today we rejoice in the holy men and women
of every time and place.
May their prayers bring us your forgiveness and love
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

EID-UL-ADHA: THE FEAST OF SACRIFICE IN ISLAM

Eid-Ul-Adha (a.k.a. the Feast of Sacrifice or Day of Sacrifice) is observed after the Hajj -- the annual pilgrimage to Makkah (Mecca) in Saudi Arabia.

A duty of each Muslim, as described in the Five Pillars of Islam, is to go on Hajj at least once once during their lifetime, unless they are prevented by finances or ill health. "The Hajj consists of several ceremonies, meant to symbolize the essential concepts of the Islamic faith, and to commemorate the trials of prophet Abraham and his family...The pilgrimage also enables Muslims from all around the world, of different colors, languages, races, and ethnicities, to come together in a spirit of universal brotherhood and sisterhood to worship the One God together." 1

It is the second of the two major Muslim holy days. The other is Eid-ul-Fitr which follows Ramadan -- a lunar month of partial fasting.


When is it celebrated?

Eid-Ul-Adha is observed after the conclusion of the Hajj. The first day of this celebration is held on the 10th day of Duhl-Hijja, which is the last month of the Muslim year. In most areas, the Feast of Sacrifice is celebrated over several days. 2

Islamic months begin at sunset on the day when the lunar crescent appears after the new moon, and can be sighted by the unaided eye . "Visibility depends on a large number of factors including weather condition, the altitude of the moon at sunset, the closeness of the moon to the sun at sunset, the interval between sunset and moonset, atmospheric pollution, the quality of the eyesight of the observer, use of optical aids etc." 3 As a result, although the phases of the moon can be predicted accurately, the moon's visibility at a given place on Earth cannot be estimated in advance. Thus, the feast day has always been celebrated on different days in various areas of the world.

Because the date of the Feast of Sacrifice is determined by a lunar calendar, it is observed about 11 days earlier each year. According to the Gregorian calendar:

2012 edition is celebrated on 24th - 26th October.

culled from http://www.religioustolerance.org/isl_feast.htm

52 YEARS OF TODDLING

52 YEARS OF TODDLING

The above graphic representation shows the developmental stage of Nigeria. At 52 years the country is toddling. Its toddling has many impediments. A country that ought to be a grand mother is yet to walk. The question is… any hope for Nigeria?

Imagine the situation Nigeria is undergoing. Are we ready to define our objectives and actualise them? What is wrong with the nation, Nigeria.  How long shall we stay on the ground before we move up ladder of life? How true is the assumption that we are the giant of Africa?

Is Nigeria a developing nation?  Yes, problems are inevitable, what effort is Nigeria making to come out of these problems. Let us tell ourselves the truth, and it would be naive for Nigerian citizens to contemplate of no problem and expect a life of bliss. Man is an imperfect being. The fact that we need a serious overhauling and attention to our welfare cannot be over emphasized. No nation can rise above the quality of its citizens. In most cases, that will involve a lot of sacrifices from the government and the entire citizenry. Though there may be more severe challenges that threaten the foundation of the country. At times one wonders if we were ripe before agitating for independence from the Great Britain. It is not a taboo for us to ask for help from experienced nations, but charity must begin from home. However, these situations do not mean that Nigeria as a country is a failure. They merely highlight the importance of adhering closely to the yearning of the citizens in working out solutions.

My fellow Nigerians, no matter what, let us shun selfish tendencies and display genuine love among ourselves. The sound of the gun doesn't frighten the gods. We need to respect the rule of law. Reduce corruption to its minimal percentage. The government should formulate and implement feasible plans to develop Nigeria. Creation of jobs to accommodate the teeming population and curb unemployment should be paramount. "An idle mind is a devil's workshop" Power supply should rank the number one in our economic plans, while security should not be politicised rather assured.

Our leaders need to be gentle, kind and forgiving - even when the followers repeatedly manifested negative traits. I am also urging the followers to respect the leaders and the constituted authorities. Open communication between the leaders and their subjects should not be a routine only or during the electoral campaigns. Open communication will initiate expressions on matters concerning our national development and interest. We shall likely find that such communication will be more pleasing and effective.

We have been test– running Nigeria for the past 52 years. For how long must we be in this level? My expectation is as good as you think! Try to contribute your own quota towards the betterment of Nigeria. May God continue to bless all Nigerians both at home and in Diasporas.

IN LOVING MEMORY OF JOY CATHERINE SHERBINO. MAY HER SOUL REST IN PEACE. AMEN

Sherbino, Joy Catherine

Saginaw, Michigan

Our loving mother and grandmother passed away Tuesday, August 28, 2012 at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, age 70 years.

Joy was born in Saginaw, Michigan April 25, 1942 the daughter of the late David Alfred and Irene Florence (Lawrence) Letourneau. She was a member of Old Town Christian Outreach and loved her time spent at church.
She enjoyed playing cards and crocheting.

Joy is survived by three children, David (Linda) Sherbino, Kim Dennings and Marcus Sherbino; five grandchildren, Melissa, David, Kelsey, Kaitlynn and Kennedy; a great-grandson, Michael; two brothers, Mike (Debbie) Letourneau, Jake Letourneau and two sisters, Donna Cronkright and Carol (Bill) Allen.

According to her wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial service will take place 5:00 p.m. Saturday, September 1, 2012 at Old Town Christian Outreach, 600 Gratiot. Rev. Donald Dinninger will officiate. Friends may visit with the family at the church on Saturday from 4:00 p.m. until time of the service. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider a donation to Old Town Christian Outreach.
Eternal rest grant your servant O Lord. May the soul of JOY and the souls of the faithful departed ...rest in peace. Amen

TO GOD BE THE GLORY