The role of culture in our lives

Culture if anything is a part of identities and is a component of what makes us human. These are unique traits which help identify who we are and what we represent. These include forms of art like music, dance, and include traditions such as clothing which have been passed down through generations. Our cultures are ever changing and are a part of all of our lives which not just influence the society we live in, but the people we are at heart. The reason I chose to talk about this topic today is the appreciation I have for the great Filipino culture for helping in the creation of one of their natural produce '7D dried mangoes'.

When doing research about Filipino culture I realize that the lives we live are very different due to the circumstances which we grow up in. This environment of theirs is very tropical, humid and gets lots of sun, making it very different from the cloudy climate that surrounds Korea. One form of Filipino culture I find most interesting is the celebration of Christmas starting from around September making it the longest Christmas season celebrated around the world. This also displays how culture is not just limited to a single people but can be shared with others to morph them into something new. I feel that a person growing up in the Philippines would find this as a norm for their life and as a result makes me wonder how they would perceive me as a resident of Korea, celebrating events such as Seollal and Korean independence day.

Another case that displays culture around the world is in Bolivia where the Quechua people who live in the Andes have very different practices than what is seen in more modern societies. This indigenous group has lived in the mountain range since their ancestors and are genetically very short. One cool feature of their culture is the use of Bowler hats worn by women which seems to come from the creation of British railways there in the 1900s. This displays the effect that other cultures have on the traditions of fashion as well which may change how we perceive beauty as well. Overall, this case I feel is quite interesting due to the fact such a niche form of fashion was created in a landlocked country, thousands of kilometers from the origin of the bowler hat.

To conclude, it is quite a sight really to see how our cultures can change and will change over time with the rapid advancements in technology and greater amount of international travel. What we know today will eventually be outdated practices and from here we can either adapt to the new norms or preserve what we hold to heart. I look forward to see what the future comes to hold and the great changes we will see in culture including its effects on our lives.