Republic of the Philippines

Mariano Marcos State University

GRADUATE SCHOOL
Laoag City 2900

Name: Cabrera, Rama Grace T. Major: MAEd Lang/Lit

Date of Submission: December 29, 2016 Final Requirement

Parallelisms in Asian and African Cultures and Histories

Culture is defined as the shared patterns of behaviors and interactions, cognitive
constructs, and affective understanding that are learned through a process of socialization. These
shared patterns identify the members of a culture group while also distinguishing those of another
group. The highest degree of culture is embodied within a virtue of respecting other humans,
either as an individual or a part of community. It is no surprise that, in this phase, people of Asia
and Africa adapt the culture of mutual cooperation.

A popular African proverb comes to mind here to express the African sense of community.
It says: "Go the way that many people go; if you go alone, you will have reason to lament". The
African idea of security and its value depends on personal identification with and within the
community. Communalism in Africa is a system that is both supersensible and material in its terms
of reference.

Since the well-being of the larger group is most important in Asian culture, great
importance is placed on maintaining harmony. The greatest virtue that can achieve is not greatness
of one’s self, which is viewed as being selfish and self-centered, but of fulfilling his or her role in
the whole of the family or group. The achievement of an individual may be seen as really the result
of the effort of one’s family, or group. In the name of conformity, one tries not to draw attention
to oneself by showing off his talent, riches, or anger. Conflict is to be avoided. Society is viewed
as an extended family whose relationships and obligations are to be preserved. Official position is
honored, not personal stardom. Frugality is sometimes a manifestation of this as one lavishes
money not on one’s self, but on children, or friends. Maintaining harmony also creates a bias
against change and “rocking the boat”, as opposed to African and American values, which
encourage change

Afro-Asian Literature mirrors not only the customs and traditions of African and Asian
countries but also their philosophy of life which on the whole are deeply and predominantly
contemplative and hauntingly sweet. African countries and Asian countries focus on their family
and ancestors. Both cultures revere the family as the most important social group. Both continent
is a hierarchical society. People are respected because of their age and position. Older people are
viewed as wise and are granted respect. In a social situation, they are served first and their drinks
may be poured for them. Elders are introduced first, are provided with the choicest cuts of meat,
and in general are treated much like royalty.

They expect the most senior person, by age or position, to make decisions that are in the
best interest of the group. Titles are very important and denote respect.

A salient aspect of the belief systems of many African and Asian communities is the belief
in the duality of existence between man and animals, between humans and the beings of the wild.
Humans are sometimes given animal characteristics and some animals are given human
characteristics. More importantly, among some ethnicities in Africa, such as among the Dagaare-
speaking people of the central parts of West Africa, every person born has a totem, an animal that
lives somewhere in the wild. The fate and destiny of a human and their totem are intricately linked.
If the totem gets sick, the human gets sick, if the totem gets scratched by some thorns of the bush
the man gets scratched in one way or the other. Is the totem happy, satisfied and enjoying life? The
man is in the same situation. Man takes on the personality of the totem. Is the totem kind and
gentle, then man is kind and gentle. The life of the totem is the life of the human. If the totem dies
the human dies.

The Afro-Asian countries are fond of their social values; and specially, their love for their
own country. They are also active in celebrating festivals that reflects their own characteristics as
an Asian. They are religious because they give importance to 'The Creator' by giving thanks and
offering prayers to Him.

The Afro-Asian sense of hospitality is one of the values that is still quite alive. Inevitably,
the tension between traditional and modern, native and foreign, and individual and communal that
has permeated contemporary Afro-Asian society has spilled over into culture. In general, in the
visual arts and music, utility and ritual have given way to pleasure and decoration. In the process,
they have been affected to a certain extent by foreign influences, but have retained their distinctive
characteristics. Wood carving, metalwork, painting, and sculpture, for example, have preserved
their traditional forms but are now increasingly adapted to serve the tourist industry and the export
market.

References:

The Cultural Values of Asian-African Countries in Global context

http://www.academia.edu/11940572/The_Cultural_Values_of_Asian-African_Countries_in_Global_context
What are the differences and similarities between African and Asian.
https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-differences-and-similarities-between-African-Arabs-and-Asian-Arabs