Key Issue 1: Where Are Cultural Groups Distributed?
Culture is defined as the body of material characteristics, customary beliefs, and social forms that together embody the distinct tradition of a group of people. These three components of culture capture the interest of geographers. This chapter focuses on material culture, the visible elements of culture that a group possesses and leaves behind for the future, are discussed. Following the examination of migration in Chapter 3, links can be made to the discussion of culture in this Chapter; two locations have similar cultural beliefs, objects, and institutions because people bring along their culture when they migrate. Differences become apparent when two groups have limited interaction.
To analyze the relationship between culture and the behavior of people, geographers differentiate between habit and custom. Habit is a repetitive act that a particular individual performs, such as wearing jeans to class every day. A custom is a repetitive act of a group, performed to the extent that it becomes characteristic of the group, such as many students typically wearing jeans to class.
Wine Geography The spatial distribution of wine production is indicative of the importance of both environmental and cultural elements. Grapes needed for making decent wine grow better in some places compared to others. The distinctive character of a wine stems from the unique combination of soil, climate, and other traits at the place where the grapes are grown. Cultural elements also influence where wine is produced.
Folk & Popular Culture Geographers have identified two major categories of culture: folk and popular culture. Folk culture and popular culture differ in their patterns of origins, diffusion, and distribution. Folk culture is practiced by small homogenous groups living in isolated rural areas. Popular culture is found in large heterogeneous societies that share certain customs despite differences in other personal characteristics. Landscapes heavily influenced by folk culture change relatively little over time, while popular culture’s foundation rests on rapid simultaneous global connections through communications systems, transportation networks, and other modern technology. Rapid diffusion promotes persistent changes in popular culture. Scalar differences are observed in folk and popular culture, as well. Globally, popular culture is becoming more dominant (at least for those with the income to have access to it), while many folk cultures are locally based. This global phenomenon threatens the existence of unique folk cultures, potentially reducing local diversity the world over. Popular culture may also pose negative environmental effects, with “built environments” being unsustainable.
This chapter focuses on two facets of material culture: (1) culture deriving from the necessities of daily life such as food, clothing and shelter, and (2) leisure activities such as the arts and recreation.
Elements of Cultural Geography The distribution of folk and popular culture can be explained by two basic factors: the process of origin and the pattern of distribution.
Origin Customs originate from hearths. Folk culture hearths are often anonymous while popular culture hearths can be traced to a specific place.
Diffusion Folk culture diffuses slowly primarily through relocation diffusion (migration). Popular culture diffuses rapidly (usually hierarchically) through electronic communications and transportation networks.
Distribution Popular culture is distributed widely across many countries, with little regard for physical factors. The primary barrier to access is lack of income to purchase the materials of popular culture. The distribution of folk culture is influenced by both environmental and cultural factors. Folk cultures often (though not always) incorporate elements of the local environment. Groups with relatively little contact with others develop unique folk cultures. Himalayan religious art is used as an example of how isolated religious groups, Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, and folk religionists, depict the same environment much differently in their art.
Diffusion of Electronic Communications The diffusion of popular culture is facilitated by the use of electronic media. Anyone in the world who has access to the media can view the latest trends in material culture and leisure activities. The access to folk culture is also increased through the use of electronic media.
Diffusion of Cell Phones & Smartphones Cell phones have diffused rapidly throughout the world. Cell phone technology has eliminated the need for telephone wiring and so their use has widespread in Africa and other places with limited access to electricity. The number of cell phones has increased from 338 per 1,000 in 2005 to 1,045 in 2017. Smartphone ownership is more prevalent in developed countries.
Most Popular Social Network Facebook is the leading social media network widely diffused throughout the world. China’s government supports its own social media platform, QZone, and as Russia discourages Facebook use. The principal obstacle to the diffusion of popular culture is lack of access to electronic media.
4.1 Key Terms
Artifacts The material manifestation of culture, including tools, housing, systems of land use, clothing, etc. "What a culture uses"
Cultural homogenization The process of reduction in cultural diversity through the diffusion of popular culture.
Custom Something that a group of people does repeatedly that becomes part of their culture (for example, bowing instead of shaking hands in Japan)
Habit A repetitive act performed by a particular individual.
Mentifacts The central, enduring elements of a culture expressing its values and beliefs, including language, religion, folklore, and etc. "What a culture believes"
Multiculturalism When various ethnic groups coexist with one another without having to sacrifice their particular identities
Sense of place A strong feeling of identity that is deeply felt by inhabitants and visitors of a location
Sequent Occupance The idea that the current cultural landscape is a combination of all the societies who lived there previously and the changes each group made
Sociofacts The institutions and links between individuals and groups that unite a culture, including family structure and political, educational and religious institutions. "What a culture does"
I Key Issue 1: Where are Cultural Groups Distributed?
A Culture, Social Media, & Geography
1 Terms
a Culture—body of material traits, customary beliefs, and social forms that together constitute the distinct tradition of a group
b Habit—repetitive act that a particular individual performs
c Custom—repetitive act of group, that becomes a characteristic of a group
2 Wine Geography
a distinctive characteristics of soil, climate, and physical characteristics b cultural tradition of drinking wine
3 Folk & Popular Culture a folk culture—traditionally practice primarily by small, homogeneous groups living in isolated rural areas
b popular culture—found in large, heterogeneous societies that share certain habits despite differences in other personal characteristics
c Elements of culture daily necessities of food, clothing, and shelter
4 Leisure activities, arts and recreation
B. Elements of Cultural Geography
1 Origin
a folk culture—anonymous hearths, unknown originators, unknown dates, multiple hearths
b popular culture—traceable to a particular person or corporation in a particular place
2 Diffusion a folk culture—relatively slow, small scale, primarily spread through relocation diffusion b popular culture—rapid, process of hierarchical diffusion, extensive spread through modern communication
3 Distribution
a popular culture—widely distributed, influenced by access to content
b folk culture—physical and cultural factors
C Diffusion of Electronic Communications
1 Diffusion of Cell Phones & Smartphones
a developing countries without traditional landlines
b smartphone ownership higher in developed countries
2 Most Popular Social Network
a Facebook
b QZone in China