Cultural Differences Social Studies 9

Symbols What does this symbol mean to you? Where do you recognize it from?

Symbols Have you seen it like this before? What do you think this means?

Swastika The Swastika can be found throughout the world including India, Greece, and Egypt. The Swastika can mean: Eternity Harmony Balance of opposites Protection from evil.

Culture What do you think when you see her? In the African tribe Ndebele these elongated necks symbolizes… Marriage Beauty Status (as they can afford to buy the rings)

Culture Look at her waist, what are your thoughts about this? A small waist was considered beautiful and fashionable. Now people only do it as a hobby.

Culture What is this? What do you think about it?

Culture This is called foot binding and it was a practice done by the wealthy in some areas of China. Having binded feet symbolized wealth as women with binded feet were unable to work. Therefore, her father and husband could support her. This also symbolized beauty. The ideal foot size was 3 – 3.5 inches.

Culture Look at the scares on their back. This symbolized: Beauty Strength/courage Family honor Protection from death.

Culture What have we noticed about the pictures? Think about what they represent in their cultures. That things we think are weird, are accepted in their culture. Every culture has their own traditions and symbols.

Religion Who is this? His name is Buddha and he is a important person to Buddhists.

Religion Who is this? His name is Ganesh and he is a deities (or god) in Hinduism. He is the remover of obstacles.

Religion Who is this? His name is Jesus Christ. He is the creator of Christianity

Who did we know? Which one of the three religious symbols did the most students recognize? Why do you think that this person was recognized the most?

Flags What Country’s flag is this? United States

Flags What Country’s flag is this? India

Flags What Country’s flag is this? Pakistan

What did we know? Which one of the three flags did the most students recognize? Why do you think that this flag was recognized the most?

Ethnocentrism What do you think Ethnocentrism is? Ethnocentrism: is the tendency to believe that their ethnic or cultural group is more important or superior than other ethnic or cultural groups. They also judge other cultures behavior, language, customs, and religion in relation to their own. This attitude may produce hostility, aggression, and violence towards the other cultures.

Ethnocentrism What are some examples of extreme ethnocentrism? The enslavement of African people: European’s though African people were a lesser human. Therefore, they kidnapped them and forced them into enslavement. However, African people are just as human and important as everyone else on the planet.

Ethnocentrism What are some examples of extreme ethnocentrism? The “discovery” of North America: When European’s first “discovered” North America it was in habited by First Nations. However, the Europeans considered the First Nations to be “savages”. They then claimed the land as their own and mistreated the First Nations people. However, the First Nations people were not “savages” and were just as human and important as the Europeans.

Ethnocentrism. How does this relate to what we just learned? When you looked at the custom’s of other cultures you thought they were weird or bizarre. However, you are looking at it from your cultures perspective. In their culture, these practice are normal. These cultures might also think some of our customs are strange as well.

Ethnocentrism. How does this relate to what we just learned? Many of us were unaware of other cultures religious symbols and flags. However, if we were to go to their country they quite possibly would know the United States flag and who Jesus is. Why is this? This is because Western (American) culture is present and shown all over the world.

Ethnocentrism. Why is this important? It is important to realize that there are lots of different cultures throughout the world. We must remember this and be respectful of these differences.