1. Culture In SWANA

2. Culture
Many aspects of Culture in SW and Central Asia are determined by harsh physical geography and tribal traditions -
food and shelter
relationships to family and others
security/protection
political and social organizations
creative expression
Other aspects of culture are determined by the crossroads of physical geography, trade and the areas history as a cultural hearth
Language
Education
Religion

3. Cultural Images of SW/Central Asia – food, family, and shelter

4. Impact of trade on culture
Language and Religion follow trade routes – through the crossroads
Traders also take their religion – Islam becomes the primary relgion – BUT other religions also begin here.
What evidence of the impact of Physical
Geography can you see here?

5. Language of SW and Central Asia
Kurdish
Turkish
Persian
Hebrew
Arabic
Languages of the “Stans”
Many of the nations of the “stans” will also speak Russian. Many nations in Southwest Asia will also speak Arabic.

6. Impact of Religion on SW/Central Asia
Religion is one of the KEY cultural differences in SW and Central Asia
The area is home to 3 of the world major religions – Judaism, Christianity, and Islam

7. RELIGIONS FROM THE MIDDLE EAST
Judaism
Islam
Christianity

8. All Three Religions Believe in…
One God (Monotheistic) – The God of Abraham
One Chance to live a good life – No Reincarnation. You know “the rules” for a good life from the text for your faith.
Judgment Day – at the end of life – heaven or hell for all eternity
All have historic ties to the city of Jerusalem.

9. JUDAISM 2% of people in the Middle East are Jewish
Oldest of the three religions – 1300 B.C.
Began as a set of beliefs and practices by ancient Hebrews
Historically (ancient times) Jews were forced out of Israel. Idea of DIASPORA.
Believe that God made a promise to Abraham, that his descendants would inherit Historic Israel
Historic
Israel

10. CHRISTIANITY
Christianity began with the birth of Jesus Christ, around 33 AD. Christ was born and raised a Jew.
2. Christians believe Jesus Christ IS the MESSIAH
3. Christians believe that Christ is God : he was born human and died for the world’s sins.
4% of people in the Middle East are Christians

11. ISLAM 1. Islam began in 610 AD in Saudi Arabia
2. The Prophet Muhammad was said to have had a series of visitations from God and the angel Gabriel
3. Muslims believe that they are the descendants of Abraham’s other son, Ishmael
4. Muslims believe that they should inherit Israel
92% of people in the Middle East are Muslim
Abraham
Isaac
Ishmael
Jacob
Muhammad
Jews
Muslims

12. Sects
All religions have sects- separate branch within a religion (ie. Roman Catholic and Lutheran are both Christian sects)
Within each religion, a range of thought has always existed from traditional to radical, from fundamentalist to modernist.
In SW and Central Asia there is conflict both between religions and within religions.

13. Traditional (Orthodox,
Spectrum of Beliefs
Traditional (Orthodox,
Fundamentalist)
Modern

14. Varying Degrees of Islam

15. Hajj Video