VERITAS UNIVERSITY, ABUJA (The Catholic University of Nigeria) Obehie Campus

COLLEGE OF MANAGEMENT SCIENCE, ARTS AND THEOLOGICAL STUDIES (POLITICAL SCIENCE AND DIPLOMACY)

COURSE: NIGERIA PEOPLES AND CULTURE (GES 1031) SUBMITTED BY SHONLANKO LINDA AUGUSTINE VUG/POL/11/296

SUBMITTED TO DR. EKPEYONG Assignment: CULTURE AS A SOCIAL HERITAGE DATE: MARCH 9TH 2012

INTRODUCTION
Culture is derived from a Latin word cultura. Culture is a term that has many different inter-related meanings. However, the word "culture" is most commonly used in three basic senses:

Excellence of taste in fine arts and humanities, also known as high culture. An integrated pattern of human knowledge, belief, and behavior that depends upon the capacity for symbolic thought and social learning.

The set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterizes an institution, organization, or group. As described by Velkley,The term "culture," which originally meant the cultivation of the soul or mind, acquires most of its later modern meanings in the writings of the eighteenth-century German thinkers, who on various levels developing Rousseau's criticism of modern liberalism and Enlightenment. Thus a contrast between "culture" and "civilization" is usually implied in these authors, even when not expressed as such. Two primary meanings of culture emerge from this period: culture as the folk-spirit having a unique identity, and culture as cultivation of inwardness or free individuality. The first meaning is predominant in our current use of the term "culture," although the second still plays a large role in what we think culture should achieve, namely the full "expression" of the unique of "authentic" self. The word culture has many different meanings. For some it refers to an appreciation of good literature, music, art, and food. For a biologist, it is likely to be a colony of bacteria or other microorganisms growing in a nutrient medium in a laboratory Petri dish. However, for anthropologists and other behavioural scientists, culture is the full range of learned human behaviour patterns. The term was first used in this way by the pioneer English Anthropologist Edward B. Tylor in his book,

Primitive Culture, published in 1871. Tylor said that 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 of society." Of course, it is not limited to men. Women possess and create it as well. Since Tylor's time, the concept of culture has become the central focus of anthropology. Culture is a powerful human tool for survival, but it is a fragile phenomenon. It is constantly changing and easily lost because it exists only in our minds. Our written languages, governments, buildings, and other man-made things are merely the products of culture. They are not culture in themselves. For this reason, archaeologists cannot dig up culture directly in their excavations. The broken pots and other artefacts of ancient people that they uncover are only material remains that reflect cultural patterns-they are things that were made and used through cultural knowledge and skills. Social heritage is the legacy of physical artefacts (cultural property) and intangible attributes of a group or society that are inherited from past generations, maintained in the present and bestowed for the benefit of future generations. Cultural heritage includes tangible culture (such as buildings, monuments, landscapes, books, works of art, and artefacts), intangible culture (such as folklore, traditions, language, and knowledge), and natural heritage (including culturallysignificant landscapes, and biodiversity). Social heritage refers to the history and cultural identities of people in a particular region. It includes physical elements such as monuments, documents, and artefacts. It also includes oral traditions, customs, folklore, languages, music, dance, celebrations, and special skills. Heritage of a nation is the wealth of the past .Culture takes its birth from the heritage .But it changes with time , as the people of a particular heritage change their life -style .If the human body is heritage , then its dress and countenance are the cultures .Another example is diamond with its reflecting light .Here the light is the

heritage .Again culture in a particular time may be a mixed one , but the heritage among some races would always remain different .

CULTURE AS A SOCIAL HERITAGE Heritage represents the "cultural capital and inspirational power" of people and communities. It is how they shape their identity and their image. Heritage makes a society aware of its origins and its culture. The meaning of heritage in society: 1. Social support: heritage points the way to the future By preserving its cultural heritage, a society makes the past meaningful and points the way to its future. The process of preservation is influenced by the spirit of the times and the associated ideas and opinions. 2. Cultural: heritage fosters mutual respect and appreciation Heritage teaches us about other people's backgrounds and fosters mutual respect and appreciation in this way. The Council for Culture calls this "cultural citizenship". 3. Social: heritage influences recognition, acknowledgement and appreciation When an historic building or monument or other cultural artefact helps define the setting of a residential area, local people recognise, acknowledge and appreciate what makes their particular street, neighbourhood or district unique. In that sense, heritage can help to resolve social issues. 4. Economic: heritage attracts people Urban renewal projects can incorporate historical elements into new developments with new functions. An environment of this kind can grow into a cultural hotspot that attracts both businesses and people. Heritage also has an economic meaning in the tourism industry. Locations that

showcase their heritage tend to welcome large groups of tourists from home and abroad. 5. International: a common heritage, a common past It is impossible to pose questions about the meaning and the role of heritage in society without considering the international dimension. For example, the Netherlands shares a common past (and a common heritage) with such countries as Ghana, India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Surinam and South Africa.

RYDES SOCIAL HERITAGE GROUP

RSHG was formed by a small group of friends in 2002 and became a formally constituted group in 2005. RSHG exists to research, document and share information about the history of Ryde, Isle of Wight, UK, including the development of the town, the people, their lives and deaths, businesses and entertainments. Since 2002 we have been recording information from Ryde Cemetery producing maps and recording inscriptions and we search through archives to find biographical information relating to the people buried there. We are also researching about the people, businesses, development and significant events that happened in Ryde. We collect documents, information and artefacts relating to Ryde and have a growing archive which we make available to the public at Open Days and exhibitions. We produce books and leaflets, hold exhibitions and give guided walks and presentations to help people understand the rich history and the significance of our town.

REFRENCES Benedict, Ruth (1934). Patterns of Culture. Boston: Houghton Miflin Company. Adolf Bastian", Encyclopedia Britannica Online, 27 January 2009. Barbara T. Hoffman, Art and cultural heritage: law, policy, and practice, Cambridge University Press, 2006. Dallen J. Timothy and Gyan P. Nyaupane, Cultural heritage and tourism in the developing world : a regional perspective, Taylor & Francis, 2009.