By Ruby Silvia
Culture is a varying factor in every
society on the earth. Each culture has its own set of values, norms and beliefs
that it lives by. (Meriam-Webster) Every culture also has symbols that are held
sacred that may not be outwardly obvious to someone of a different culture. The
Nkisi is a religious symbol of people from West Africa. (Khan Academy) For someone who is unfamiliar with the
significance of the symbol, it can be easily misunderstood. When approaching a
new aspect of another culture there are many ways it can be approached. Two of
these ways are ethnocentrism and cultural relativism. This paper will discuss
the meaning of those two terms, explore how a newcomer may react to a Nkisi
statue from each of those view points and compare the situation as viewed from
each approach.
Ethnocentrism is the idea that the beliefs
and customs held by our own culture is the best and right way to live while
simultaneously believing that any other culture’s contrasting way of life is
wrong. (Welsch & Vivanco 2015, p. 11) Viewing another culture’s rituals or
beliefs in this manner can make it easy to misunderstand and potentially be
offended by that which differs from your own. The ethnocentric response to the
scenario provided about the Nkisi statue might first lead someone to believe
the statue represented a form of voodoo or witchcraft. It may appear that my
new roommate was a follower of dark magic and the statue needs to be removed. Coming
from a culture where the only religious tolerance seems to be for those of the
Christian or other mainstream faiths that follow the word of God, this would
appear to be a threat to that belief system.
Cultural relativism is the idea that you
should approach another person’s culture and beliefs free from preconceived
judgments and absorb the information from the perspective a person within that
culture. (Welsch & Vivanco 2015, p. 12) This way of viewing and learning
about another culture gives you the best opportunity to truly understand the
beliefs and customs, even if they are vastly different from your own.
Responding to the statue from a point of view of cultural relativism, the best
approach would be to ask the new roommate about the statue and what it
represents. Try to listen to the explanation with an open mind and set aside the
first impression that this statue has anything to do with voodoo or dark magic.
When it is understood that the statue really represents positive energy for the
owner, it would be easier to accept it in the apartment. Acceptance does not
mean that you have to agree and like the statue; but that you understand the
importance it holds for the owner and can appreciate the value perceived by the
owner.
When being confronted with a belief or
symbol that is unfamiliar, most people would likely respond in a mixture of
these two ways. Generally the first reaction is that of an ethnocentric
background, assessing what you see or hear and comparing that to what you
already know. My first view of the Nkisi statue reminded me of movies I have
watched with voodoo dolls and pins sticking out of them. Just because the first reaction had a
negative connection does not mean it is the only way to react. I would next
want to know what the statue was and why my new roommate owned such a statue.
Only by asking questions can we be an informed and alert society. Looking at
the statue after reading the true meaning of the symbol, I still see a voodoo
doll, but that is not the only thing I see and I find it fascinating the
positive meaning behind the statue.
No one culture is better than another.
Every culture has merit and meaning. Just because we do not all follow the same
belief systems or the same morals, does not make our society superior or
inferior to another. This paper has explored the different ways a scenario can
be viewed from both an ethnocentric and a culturally relative stance. It has
explored the benefits and limitations of responding in both manners and brought
to light the idea that generally people respond in a mixture of the two.
Works Cited
Culture. (n.d.).
Retrieved June 8, 2016, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/culture
Welsch, R. L.,
& Vivanco, L. A. (2015). Cultural anthropology: Asking questions about
humanity. New York, NY.
"Khan
Academy." Khan Academy. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 June 2016.
By Samantha Bond
When
different cultures meet, there are often many reactions to the differences
between the people. These interactions are filled with many various emotions,
both negative and positive, from fear and anxiety to excitement and curiosity. Others
judge and close their minds to the unfamiliar beliefs of other cultures. Some
try to understand and accept the diversity. The two reactions to a new culture
are known as ethnocentrism and cultural relativism. The reactions of the two
tenants to the Nkisi idol are examples of these two responses.
Ethnocentrism
is “the assumption that one’s own way of doing things is correct, while
dismissing other people’s practices or views as wrong or ignorant” (Welsch). Ethnocentrism is
often a negative reaction of one person toward another person from a different
culture. The ethnocentric approach is often seen as an intolerant attitude
toward different cultures. Although ethnocentrism is often seen as negative,
there are some positive aspects. People from the same culture will feel a
special bond with each other especially when exposed to another culture.
The first tenant’s
reaction to the Nkisi is an ethnocentric response. According to Dr. Boston’s
blog the “Minkisi, which are now appropriately referred to as power figures,
fertility figures, or dance staffs, were used to cure illnesses and disease,
solidifying social and political alliances, and/or predispose an individual or
entity to harm or assistance” (Boston). The tenant does not
see or understand how the Nkisi idol has a protective quality for the student
just as the Saints have the same sentiment for Catholics. The reaction of
finding the Nkisi disgusting and that it should be destroyed is a negative and
close minded response. The first tenant believes that the foreign exchange
student’s culture is inferior and the student should adapt to the culture of
where they are going to school. The second tenant’s reaction is an example of
cultural relativism.
The
other reaction to an encounter between two different cultures is cultural
relativism. Cultural relativism is “the moral and intellectual principle that
one should withhold judgment about seemingly strange or exotic beliefs and
practices” (Welsch).
Cultural relativism is about accepting other people’s beliefs whether you agree
with them or not. The cultural relativistic approach is often seen as a
tolerance attitude toward different cultures. Cultural relativism is a more
positive approach than ethnocentrism but there are times when complete
acceptance can be harmful, such as total acceptance of practices which violate
human rights.
The
second tenant was more open minded and was able to take a more culturally
relativistic attitude toward the Nkisi. The second tenant saw the Nkisi as
having a similar protective quality for the foreign exchange student as the
Virgin Mary is for Catholics. Even though the second tenant may not have fully
agreed with the foreign exchange student’s belief in the Nkisi, he or she saw
there was no harm in letting the student keep the figure. The Nkisi does not
violate any human rights, therefore a cultural relativistic approach is not
harmful for anyone involved. The reaction of the second tenant was one of
equality and not of judgment toward the different culture.
I
believe in taking a more cultural relativistic approach to this situation and
any other event involving a culture different from my own. My first reaction to
this situation was anger toward the first tenant for being so unaccepting
toward the foreign exchange student’s beliefs. I was glad to find there was
someone who was willing to stand up for the foreign exchange student. I would
have reacted the same way as the second tenant. I try to take a cultural relativistic
approach to situations, news articles, and cultural practices. Often by taking
a cultural relativistic viewpoint to a situation, you are opening yourself up
to new ideas and beliefs which may change your perspective of your own culture.
In
this situation between the two tenants and the foreign exchange student and his
Nkisi figure, there are two clear examples of ethnocentrism and cultural
relativism. The two vastly different reactions were one of superiority and the
other of equality. Both methods of viewing a culture have their positive and
negative aspects. The dangers lie in taking a stance in one extreme of either
cultural relativism or ethnocentrism.
Bibliography
Boston, Dr. Christine Elisabeth. The Truth of
the Nkisi. 23 January 2016. Blog. 6 June 2016.
<http://humerusrevelations.blogspot.com/2016/01/the-truth-of-nkisi.html>.
Welsch, Robert L. and
Luis A. Vivanco. Cultural Anthropology Asking Questions About Humanity.
New York: Oxford University Press, 2015.
14 comments:
This was an interesting topic, we discussed this in class. There is a lot of Ethnocentrism that goes on til this day. People see what the other cultures are doing judging them, rather then trying to see from their perspective.
Ethnocentrism is something that goes on all the time even if you go a few hours away and you see people doing things that you don't do where you live. Its not just something that happens between you and other countries culture you do it with anyone.
This blog was very interesting because I think we judge people everyday. In middle school there was a girl who wore the wrap around her head sometimes people made fun of her but we never knew it was because of her culture. I also had a cousin who experienced the same thing in her deployment. she told me stories of how they used there left hand for nothing but wiping their behinds and how it was disrespectful to use your left hand in the country she was in. I found that weird but its how different cultures operate I guess and we have to accept that others are different.
To Ruby, I like the fact that you acknowledged no one culture is better than another. Even when you don't understand why they do what they do, it doesn't make what you do better if that makes sense. Samantha, I feel your anger as well. I can't stand when people form an opinion of someone or treat them differently because they were raised by a different culture and see different perspectives.
I remember this topic that we talked about in class. Its very interesting that lots of people judge others without actually getting to know them first or think about how they could've been feeling.
Before reading this blog post i thought ethnocentrism meant something that someone does in their own culture bacause of the country that their from. I knew that it meant that some people like "americans" would think that another person is doing something wron just because their from a different country.
-Daisha Benton
I automatically think of adolph hitler when it comes to being ethnocentric. I enjoyed the assignment that I did in my anthropology class about ethnocentrism. Wish I would have read this article before doing the assignment.
"Ethnocentrism is the idea that the beliefs and customs held by our own culture is the best and right way to live while simultaneously believing that any other culture’s contrasting way of life is wrong."
I disagree with this quote for many reasons. One reason is when you grow up you are taught to follow certain rules, you are somewhat told what your beliefs will be. For example most people who are Christian are Christian because they were raised by a Christian family not because they chose to be Christian. This being said you can't blame someone for being raised differently than you were raised.
-apreshana page
These two papers were an interesting read. Growing up I was not around much diversity until I got older and expanded my horizon. I much enjoy learning about other cultures and their beliefs even if it doesn't fit my lifestyle I still respect theirs.
My family, in itself, is diverse, but there are so many cultures and beliefs out there that i feel like you have to open to everything. There are things that people do and believe in that outsiders don’t and wont understand. It is important to try and keep an open mind about those things. Great read!
Kahla Perry
Even though no two cultures are the same, we should respect and try to understand another persons culture and beliefs other than just our own.
Cultural relativism is basically telling people to acknowledge another person culture with an open mind/no judgement. Ethnocentrism is stating that its an assumption that another persons cultural ways are better. I have been in plenty of situations when i had to be open minded and not judge others ways.
-Jasmine busby
The reason I like talking about these two topics is because I feel the knowledge of these terms can bring peace to a lot of the universe as well as form peace makings. This helps people understand that not only do different countries practice things different ways that we do, but different races can do similar things like this.
Christopher McFadden
My name Aleisha watts, I like this post. when we discussed this in class I realized there is a lot of people is ethnocentric people in the world. People have their own opinions about things but, it doesn't make it right to say what they are doing is wrong because everyone doesn't live the say and doesn't go by the same moral. It's best to find out why someone does or acts the way they do without judging them first. I know im a cultural relativism type of person now than I have ever been in my life because I have grown to not judge people but to understand them. I can't say when I was young I thought about this cause I didn't.
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