South African Culture

Introduction

South Africa is a multiethnic country where people of different races reside together. Just like the United States, the population of South Africa is divided into white and black people. Since the time Cape Town was founded, ethnic origin served as the foundation of forming social classes and caste system in South Africa. However, this was the case of history, in the present days even colored people have obtained a high social class by getting a quality education and adopting the middle class style of Europeans. Thus, the patterns of kinship, family, gender roles and religion also have myriad forms in South Africa. This paper aims to discuss the social classes and hierarchy, gender roles, religion and family and kinship of South Africa.

Discussion

Social Classes

In order to group individuals different forms of rankings are used in the South African culture, this may range from cast-hierarchy to the class system. Based on these rankings, different people are given a status in the society. Moreover, in colored people a complex system of class developed with the passage of time. The social status of an individual is based on his/her color in South Africa. Along with various cultural and economic factors, pigmentation is the primary determinant of social status in the country. In colonial societies; however, the determinants of social class are different and usually involves race and color. In societies, where social status is determined on the basis of color, people who have become acculturated show more willingness to obtain a higher social status. One utmost concern, in the present days, is that black people are developing an assumption which qualifies them to attain the higher level in society along with an assumption of leadership (Patterson, pp. 8-34).

Symbols of Social Stratification

After, the spread of colonial capitalism, luxury goods, European education, high quality items are considered as emblems of social status. Adoption of European fashion in transport, housing, dressing are also included in the list of factors symbolizing high social status expect for the traditional Africans who live in rural areas.

Religion

Taking into consideration the demographics of the country, South Africa is multi-religious. Regardless of the claim of more than 60 percent of South African national for Christianity, the country is home for a number of other religions, as well. Muslims, Hindu, Jews, Buddhist and a lot of other religions are preached in the country. Although, South Africa embraces world religions, the spiritual heritage has its roots in African Religions. All of the above mentioned religions have their own way of living and understanding life. Many South Africans developed understanding of non-religiously bound human values and ethical principles with the passage of time. (Tayob and Weisse, pp.2)

Rituals and Holy Places

People belonging to different religions have the independence to create shrines as per their religious traditions where events can take place. In such place, miracles are believed to occur. For instance, the grave of Muslim influential leader, Sheikh Omar, who came to Cape from East Indies, is a sacred place for the Muslims of South ...