Overview of Culture and Heritage (Grade 10 NSC Matric Tourism): Revision Notes
Overview of Culture and Heritage
Introduction to culture and heritage
Culture and heritage are fundamental to understanding who we are as South Africans and form the foundation of our national identity. These two concepts are closely connected and play an important role in the tourism industry.
Culture represents the basis of a country's national identity. It shapes how we live, what we believe, and how we express ourselves as a people.
Heritage consists of things that have survived from our past and are passed down through generations. Examples include archaeological sites, oral traditions, historic buildings, and cultural practices. Both culture and heritage are promoted as valuable tourism products in South Africa.
While culture and heritage are distinct concepts, they are deeply interconnected. Culture is the living expression of a society, whilst heritage is what we preserve and pass on from our cultural past to future generations.
What is culture?
Culture is made up of the values, attitudes, beliefs and practices of a particular group of people. Think of it as the way a community lives, thinks, and expresses itself.
Culture includes both living and non-living things that have been inherited from the past:
Living culture (intangible culture)
Understanding Intangible Culture
This type of culture is intangible, meaning you cannot physically touch it. It is passed on through people and represents the living traditions of a community.
Examples of living culture include:
- Home languages that we speak
- Traditions and customs we follow
- Stories and oral histories
- Beliefs and spiritual practices
Non-living culture (tangible culture)
Understanding Tangible Culture
This type of culture is tangible, meaning it consists of physical things that have been preserved by society. These are concrete objects you can see and touch.
Examples of tangible culture include:
- Historic buildings and monuments
- Traditional clothing and artefacts
- Works of art and sculptures
- Archaeological objects
Common beliefs about culture
Understanding these key characteristics will help you explain what makes culture unique:
Culture is based on symbols: It uses both verbal and non-verbal symbols to communicate meaning. For instance, language allows us to share ideas, whilst wedding rings symbolise marriage and commitment.
Culture is learned and passed down: We don't inherit culture genetically; instead, it is taught through generations. An example is lobola (bride price), which is traditionally passed from parents to children as an important cultural practice.
Culture is shared: It consists of practices that are shared by a community. For example, bridal showers are a shared tradition where communities celebrate together.
Culture is dynamic: This means culture can change over time and adapt to new circumstances. A good example is lobola, which used to be paid with cattle but is now often paid with money in modern society.
Worked Example: How Culture Changes
Consider the practice of lobola in South African culture:
Traditional approach: Families paid lobola using cattle as currency. The number of cattle symbolised the value placed on the bride and her family.
Modern adaptation: Today, many families pay lobola with money instead of cattle, adapting to urban lifestyles where keeping livestock is impractical.
What stayed the same: Despite the change in currency, the cultural significance and respect shown through lobola remains important.
This demonstrates how culture is dynamic and adaptable whilst preserving core values.
Cultural diversity in South Africa
South Africa is known as the 'Rainbow Nation' because of its incredible cultural diversity. This diversity refers to the many different cultures that exist within one region or country.
How did this diversity develop?
Immigrant settlers brought different cultures with them when they came to South Africa. The main cultural influences in our country are:
- African cultures (indigenous peoples)
- European cultures (colonial settlers)
- Asian cultures (traders and indentured labourers)
South African Diversity at a Glance
- South Africa has four major population groups
- We have eleven official languages
- Each group has contributed unique cultural elements
This rich diversity is what makes South Africa's cultural landscape unique in the world.
Examples of cultural diversity in South Africa:
Arts and crafts: beadwork, pottery, knitting
Music and dance forms: Kwaito, Afro-fusion
Cuisine: frikkadelle (meatballs), koeksisters (sweet pastry), umvubo (traditional porridge)
Festivals: Indian Diwali, Mangaung African Festival, Cape Town Jazz Festival
Elements of culture
Culture expresses itself through various elements. As a tourism student, you should be familiar with these different cultural forms:
Literature and story-telling
This includes poetry, recitation of oral histories, and novels. Story-telling is a powerful way cultures preserve and share their histories and values across generations.
Architecture and interiors
Different cultures have distinctive building styles that reflect their values and environments:
- Cape Dutch thatched and gabled houses (influenced by European settlers)
- Rural thatched mud huts (traditional African architecture)
Architecture tells the story of a culture's adaptation to climate, available materials, and social structures. Each building style reflects the practical needs and aesthetic values of the culture that created it.
Arts and crafts
Arts and crafts represent the creative spirit of a culture. They combine functional objects with artistic expression.
Examples include:
- San rock engravings and paintings (ancient indigenous art)
- Contemporary art displayed in galleries
- Traditional crafts like beadwork and pottery
Cuisine
South African cuisine has been influenced by African, European, and Asian cultures, creating a unique blend that tells the story of our diverse heritage:
Worked Example: Cultural Influences in South African Food
African influences: Xhosa Umngqusho (samp and beans) - a traditional dish using locally available ingredients
Asian influences: Cape Malay babotie (spiced mince dish) - brought by Malaysian slaves and incorporating aromatic spices
South African traditions: Braaivleis (meat cooked on an open fire) - a uniquely South African social tradition
Each dish tells a story of cultural exchange and adaptation.
Music and dance
South Africa has rich musical traditions that reflect our diverse cultural heritage:
- Gumboot dancing (developed by mine workers)
- Indlamu (Zulu warrior dance)
- Volkspele (traditional folk dancing)
- Kwela (street music genre)
- Choral music (like the famous Soweto Gospel Choir)
Music and dance are particularly important elements of culture because they combine movement, sound, and story-telling. They are often used to celebrate important events, pass down histories, and bring communities together.
What is heritage?
Heritage refers to things that are inherited from families and society and passed on to future generations. Unlike culture, which is active and living, heritage focuses on what we preserve and protect from the past.
Types of heritage resources
Heritage resources can be classified as either tangible or intangible:
Tangible heritage includes:
- Objects such as furniture and tools
- Structures like historic buildings
- Items of special significance, such as rare plants
Intangible heritage includes:
- Oral traditions and languages
- Performing arts
- Social practices and rituals
Key Distinction to Remember
While both culture and heritage can be tangible or intangible, the key difference is their relationship to time:
- Culture is living and current - it's what we practice today
- Heritage is preserved from the past - it's what we protect for tomorrow
Legal protection of heritage
The National Heritage Resources Act (NHRA) is a law that protects South Africa's heritage. This is important legislation you should know for your exam.
The National Heritage Resources Act (NHRA)
Under the NHRA, our heritage is considered a 'national estate' that belongs to South Africa as a country. The law states that anything that is part of this estate may not be removed without special permission.
This legal protection ensures that our heritage is preserved for future generations and prevents the loss of irreplaceable historical resources.
What is protected under the NHRA?
- Ancestral graves
- Historical settlements and buildings
- Art and military objects
- Archaeological artefacts
- Fossils and meteorites
Importance and value of conserving heritage
Heritage conservation provides multiple benefits to South African society. Understanding these benefits helps explain why protecting our heritage is so important. You should understand three main types of value:
Social value
Heritage sites serve important social functions that benefit communities and society as a whole:
Social Benefits of Heritage Conservation
- Sites are visited for education, helping people learn about history
- They provide entertainment and cultural experiences
- They allow people to appreciate beauty and craftsmanship
- Visiting heritage sites encourages community ownership and builds unity amongst different groups
By connecting people to their past, heritage sites help create a sense of shared identity and belonging.
Economic value
Heritage creates economic opportunities that benefit both individuals and the broader economy:
Economic Benefits of Heritage Conservation
- Heritage sites provide employment for tour guides, curators, maintenance staff, and hospitality workers
- Tourism to heritage sites generates income for local communities and the country
- Cultural tourism supports local businesses and entrepreneurs
The heritage sector is a significant contributor to South Africa's tourism industry, creating sustainable jobs and supporting economic development.
Environmental value
Heritage protection has environmental benefits that extend beyond the sites themselves:
Environmental Benefits of Heritage Conservation
Laws that protect heritage sites also protect and safeguard the environment surrounding these sites. This helps preserve natural landscapes and ecosystems that might otherwise be developed or damaged.
By protecting heritage sites, we also protect the natural environment, creating conservation areas that benefit both cultural and ecological diversity.
National importance
Heritage Day Celebration
Heritage Day is celebrated on 24 September each year. On this day, the entire country celebrates its heritage and cultural diversity.
This public holiday recognises the importance of preserving our past whilst embracing our multicultural identity. It's a day when all South Africans are encouraged to celebrate their unique cultures and appreciate the diversity that makes our nation special.
Remember!
Key Takeaways for Your Revision:
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Culture consists of values, attitudes, beliefs, and practices, whilst heritage refers to things inherited from the past that we preserve for future generations.
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Culture can be living (intangible) like language and traditions, or non-living (tangible) like buildings and artefacts. Heritage can also be tangible or intangible.
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South Africa is the 'Rainbow Nation' with four major population groups and eleven languages, influenced by African, European, and Asian cultures.
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The National Heritage Resources Act (NHRA) protects South Africa's heritage as a 'national estate', and nothing may be removed without special permission.
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Heritage conservation provides social, economic, and environmental value, and is celebrated annually on Heritage Day (24 September).