Types of culture

Culture is usually divided into two main types: material and non-material culture as shown in Figure 1.1

Figure 1.1: Types of culture

Material culture: Refers to the empirical objects that can be touched, seen, tasted and smelt. Objects of such nature are usually made by human beings. They include food, building, furniture and utensils. They also include, artistic works and crafts like traditional basket, paintings, drawings and maps. Figure 1.2 shows some examples of material culture.

Artistic works and craft

A typical African traditional house

Artistic works and crafts in Zanzibar

Figure 1.2: Examples of material culture

Non-material or intellectual culture: Refers to ideas that people have about themselves and the universe or the world around them. More specifically it refers to a people’s world view, which include, values, laws, norms, morals, ideas, education, language, beliefs or religions and behaviours. For example, the concept of religion consists of a set of ideas and beliefs about God, worship, morals, and ethics. These beliefs, then, determine how people respond or behave in difficult circumstances and events.

More often than not, discussion about non-material culture refers to several processes that a culture uses to shape its members’ thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. Four of the most important of these are symbols, language, values, and norms.