Culture
Diversity, the engine that drives innovation
UNDERSTANDING CULTURE
As I began to study the origin of mankind, it became quite apparent that we, the collective of human beings that share this beautiful place we all call earth, are more alike than different. Yes… we are comprised of a variation of cultures, customs, facial and physical features. But at the end of the day, we all can trace our [humble] beginnings back to “Mother Africa.” A finding that historians, paleoanthropologist, and archaeologist found that Africa is the Cradle of all humankind because all human life originated there. What I hope to accomplish through this extraordinary pictorial by a collection of “talented” multicultural photographers* is to help you to see and appreciate the essence of the diverse cultures on display, and celebrate our differences while indulging in our similarities. Perhaps, as I am hopeful, we can stop the hate, bigotry, senseless wars — the murders of our brothers, sisters, and children over territory disputes, power, and money. Henceforth, let us begin to share the earthly resources this planet offers and love one another unconditionally as intended.
— Bruce T. Osborne, Sr.
Empowerment's Rebirth
The strength of African American women in the U.S. is deeply rooted in their resilience, determination, and contributions across various fields. Historically, and to this very day, black women made significant contributions to America and its culture (while facing enormous turmoil and discrimination in the process). Yet, at the same time, Black women played a pivotal role in social justice movements, politics, literature, sports, arts, science, and much more. Black women was brought to America under duress and brutal treatment by her slave master, and still she continued to oversee and defended her family—teaching them survival skills to keep them alive. Her strength is apparent as seen in her leadership and advocacy skills for civil rights as well as their ability to effect positive change despite systemic barriers. These beautiful women are the offspring of strong Africans of the “Motherland,” and those women who made it and continued to rise after the middle passage. Women such as Harriet Tubman, the black female “Moses” who fought and save countless of other slaves. Shirley Chisholm, the political trailblazer who was the first black woman to run for “President of the United States of America.” Adding to this list are Rosa Parks, a civil rights activist, who refused to give up her seat on a bus in the “Jim Crow” racist south, and Michelle Obama, the country’s first Black “First Lady” of the United States to represent America. In following, their have been countless of other strong black women like Oprah Winfrey, Maya Angelou, Sojourner Truth, Mary Mcleod Bethune, Fannie Lou Hamer, Dorothy Height, Barbara Jordan, etc. It is all of these remarkable women who have worked tirelessly to save every women, man, and child throughout the world, regardless of race or culture to succeed in life.
Rituals and Traditions
In Papua New Guinea, rituals are highly important to the various ethnic communities because they empower the performer(s) by reaffirming their identity as leaders or worriers of a group or society. Additionally, as with the Southern Highlands of Papua New Guinea, one’s hair dress and fashion statement is a part of each influencer’s ongoing fashion trend. Their fashion statement, Grooming with a view (lifeasahuman.com/2011/travel-adventure/adventure/papua-new-guinea-part-1groom-with-a-view/) is also shared by fancy handmade nose rings, Jewelry, face-painting, necklaces to stark native dress codes that is “Avant-Garde.” For the People of New Guinea, fashion is seen as Innovative, experimental, and highly unconventional. The whole idea of fashion is to challenge conventional ideas of beauty and masculinity through shared customs and radical concepts which debunk Western concepts of beauty and fashion — sending shock-waves through other cultures. Very similar to what is now occurring today in the United States of America by its’ youth. The tattoos, face painting, piercings, colored hair, wardrove, etc. We are not as different as one would think.
The Life of an Eskimo
The life of an Eskimo, more appropriately known as the Inuit, is deeply rooted in a unique cultural heritage shaped by the harsh Arctic environment. Here’s an overview of key aspects of their traditional way of life. The Inuit rely on hunting, fishing, and gathering for subsistence. Seal hunting is particularly significant, as seals provide meat for food, skins for clothing and shelter, and blubber for fuel and oil. Their families are organized into small groups or bands. Social roles are typically flexible, with both men and women contributing to hunting, childcare, and community governance. Their clothing is made from the animal skins and furs they gathered such as: Seal skins, caribou, and polo bear. They take only what’s needed, thereby by not interrupting the existing natural animal welfare. The Inuit’s culture reflect their close relationship with nature and their spiritual beliefs. They are avid believers in passing-down traditional knowledge, such as weather predictions, navigation, and survival skills. Challenges are very similar to most throughout the world, facing climate change, loss of land, and social issues like disparities, cultural identity, and autonomy.
Myths and Legends
The street hustler and entertainer. A well-known practice in the Eastern hemisphere — Snake Charming. These witty performers have mesmerized on-lookers for years with their magical talents as they appear to control one of the most deadliest snakes in the world, the King Cobra. This snake in particular is the longest venomous snake, growing to approximately 18 feet long. A single bite from this snake can kill an elephant or 15 to 20 humans. Snake Charming is done by playing a Hindi instrument called the pungi which is played without pausing and conducting circular motion while breathing into the reed pipes. This type of street hustle seems dangerous buy not really. It’s been revealed that the snake charmer were removing the snakes fangs or it protective venom glands, drugging the snakes or even sewing the snakes mouth shut. Some even starved the snakes making them sluggish. Consequently, the “Wildlife Protection Act, of 1972 kicked in slowing the process down. The practice is still in existence, but at much reduced rates. (Please do not attempt to copy this dangerous act and get a real job!)
Cultural Expression
The singing, art, dancing, eating, drinking, laughter, are all forms of “Cultural Expressions” to offer friendship to visitors in order to make individuals feel comfortable and engaged. For the people of “Rio de Janeiro”, the most famous know for their cultural expression of carnival. Notwithstanding, Carnival is celebrated by a host of other countries including Brazil, Trinidad and Tobago, Italy, Switzerland, and the United States of America among many others. Typically, Carnival or Mardi Gras involves shared public celebrations of events likened to parades, street parties, live entertainment in a circus like atmosphere. Individuals wear elaborate costumes and mask to hide their identity in order to experience a thorough and elevated sense of unity and program involvement without mockery and finger pointing as it is a time for a free-for-all and great indulgence. Carnival is normally performed right before Lent (A time for repentance) as many will need to repent. …
The Holy Men Of India
Customs similar to many religions themes in America and around the World is the “Holy Men of India — Sadhus.” The Sadhus are of Varanasi” — [The most respected and holiest city in Hinduism]. Although some of these spiritual leaders may look quite menacing, these Sadhus’ or holy men are generally peaceful and have renounced all worldly possessions and are extremely kind-hearted. Unlike the Western concept of religion as an individualized faith, Sadhus believe that humans are born into a cosmic order making all individuals part of a divine essence due to being created by Him and embodying elements of His thoughts. They, at times, project themselves as “God” and are avid representatives of the Hindu deities. Sadhus are typically peaceful but can be as all other religious doctrines, predatory of those who seek to convert its people. Hindus are ascetics: practitioners of severe self-discipline and abstention, as well as wanderers who travels aimlessly in search of divine knowledge. They are private, selfless people and loners. As a caveat, for your information, Hindus for the most part don’t eat meat, and cows are traditionally seen as sacred. In India 81% of the people limit meat in their diet and 39% say they are vegetarians. (pewresearch.org) The more we know about other cultures, the better humans we become.
Thailand's Magic
The extraordinary and historical culture of the Thailand heritage has been shaped by a unique blend of various influences as well as culturally driven interactions with neighboring cultures. As a matter of fact, part of the Thailand’s influence was derived from its interactions with far-reaching cultures such as Chinese, India, Portuguese, Japanese, and Persian. These varing cultures helped to shaped the way Thai people dress, cook, honor religious values and the way Thai people see the world. Buddhism is the dominant religion in Thailand (having more than 40,000 temples). Additionally, religions such as Islam and Christianity as well as a host of other faith-base institutions also practiced in Thailand today. The Thailand cuisine is a staple part of restaurant menus worldwide, along with its’ martial arts as a global combative sport. Festivals are an integral part of Thai’s culture, especially the Thai New Year celebration, also known as the “Songkran Festival.” Songkran is celebrated on April 13 every year. However, the time frame has been extended beyond one day to allow for citizens living outside the country to travel home to take part in the celebrations.
Cultural Leadership
African kings, particularly in various historical kingdoms and societies across the continent, often wore distinctive mask and body armor that were not only practical in battle but also carried significant cultural and spiritual meaning. The great kings of Africa wore mask because of their importance to ceremonial and ritualistic performances, i.e. royal events, festivals, and battle. Often they used material liken to metal, wood, cloth, beads, and animal skins. The armor can include leather vest, chainmail, metal breastplates, or layered fabric garments fortified with materials like iron or animal hide. The mask they wear at the time could very well represent a host of spiritual entities such as: ancestors, or deities which are highly important to the king’s lineage or his kingdom. These unearthly ancestors are believed to embody the spirit of the entity the earthly Kings are portraying at the time, serving as a conduit between the earthly and the spiritual realm. Beyond the mere spiritual significance, mask played a more practical role. They served as a means of intimidations of rival enemies during warfare and in negotiations, while instilling respect and awe among their subjects.
Spiritual Queens Traditions
The ”Tribal marks” on African Queens (and more broadly worn among the various ethnic groups in Africa) have cultural and symbolic significance. These marks are used traditionally for identification, beautification, and as well as a symbol of belonging to a specific ethnic group, tribe, or family thereof. The Queen’s tribal marks distinguish her lineage within a community. they serve as visual identification of her heritage and social status. The meaning of tribal marks are many. They can signify anything from family lineage, social status, bravery, beauty, or protection of the tribe and spiritual forces attempting to breach the group’s sacred traditions and loyalty. The markings carry specific spiritual significance that is passed down through generations similar to the experimental marking of the African American women above. As the actual act of carving the face with metal tools are not customary in the U.S., the essence of the tradition carries over through sampling and light modification. The types or styles of marking vary in different forms — from the linear incisions, dots, pattern of the marks on the face, hands, or body. Markings that have different meanings and affiliations within the community. As she (the African Queen) played significant roles in the governance, diplomacy, and cultural preservation within their respective societies and kingdoms. Holding positions of authority parallel to or in collaboration with the king. In many African societies, the customs of tribal markings have declined as a result of cultural norms and urbanization, plus government regulations moving more towards the U.S. culture.
Respect and Love
Thanks!*
Thanks to the many creative photographers, and the design team of Osborne Strategic Marketing Group (OSMG), for providing their superb artistry shown in this pictorial display of culture and diversity. Their (the photographers) individual images(s) have formed a collection of cultural epitomes of diverse cultures we all can appreciate. Cultures that not only educate and inspire us as humans, but to serve as a uniting force for a better exchange of ideas, understanding of human existence, and the broader sense of brotherly/sisterly love. The feelings of humanity and compassion towards one’s fellow human and their respective cultural differences. These delightful images and text, are a gift to the world!
— Bruce T. Osborne, Sr.,
BUTO Women
TEACH ONE, EACH ONE...
This is a phrase that was born in the United States during the time of “slavery in America.” It was a time when it was illegal for slaves to read and try to learn. Many slaves struggled to acquire knowledge by studying by candle light when the slave master or his slave overseers were present. Its purpose was to keep the enslaved people ignorant and dumb about anything beyond their immediate control as designated by their colonizers, authorities, and law makers. As they knew knowledge is power. Consequently, it is was incumbent and the duty of each slave to educate someone outside the ordinary practice customary to slaves so they can mover forward and beyond the cotton fields and the tortuously degrading work assigned to them by the slave masters.
"Sometimes you must go backwards in order to move forward, as our history dictates our future."
— Bruce T. Osborne, Sr.