Tradition, Culture and Identity

Tradition, Culture and Identity

By Mark Seeley

Tradition, Culture and Identity

​Group Task: What do these words mean?

With your group, write definitions (in your own words) for these three terms: tradition, culture and identity.​

Some text here about the topic of discussion

Tradition is belief and behavior passed down within a group or society with symbolic meaning or special significance with origins in the past.

Why are traditions important?​

Tradition

Some text here about the topic of discussion

Open Ended

Tell us about a tradition in your family.

Open Ended

What traditions do you think are out-of-date and could be done away with?

Culture is a word for the 'way of life' of groups of people; the customs, habits, attitudes, values, morals and goals shared by a society.

​

Major elements of culture: language, aesthetics, food, education, religion, attitudes and values and social organisation, etc.​

​

Culture

Multiple Choice

In which culture do people greet each other with kisses on cheeks?

• Irish

• Japanese

• American

• French

Multiple Choice

The cheongsam also known as the qipao is a traditional dress in which culture?

• Chinese

• Indonesian

• German

• Japanese

Multiple Select

Thanksgiving is a tradition practiced in which 2 of these cultures?

• Canadian

• Brazilian

• American

• British

Multiple Select

Which 2 of these cultures are influenced by Buddhism?

• Spanish

• Sri Lankan

• Laos

• Mexican

Multiple Choice

In which of these cultures is eating with your hands poor etiquette?

• Indian

• German

• Indonesian

• Ethiopian

Identity is the way you define yourself and how others define you. Some aspects of our identities may stay the same throughout our lives, while others may change over time.

​

​Factors that shape identity:

Family, nationality, race and ethnicity, religion, socio-economic status, school, occupation, hobbies, etc.

​

Identity

Open Ended

How do you think this person identifies herself?

Open Ended

How do you think this person identifies himself?

Open Ended

How do you think this person identifies herself?

Open Ended

How do you think these people identifies themselves?

Open Ended

How do you think these people identify themselves?

Assignment: My Identity

Step 1: Choose 5 words that represent your identity.

Step 2: ​Search for images which represent the 5 words you chose.

Step 3: Create a poster using these words and images.​

​Instructions

This can be a difficult question to answer. People identify themselves in different ways and this will most likely change throughout our lives.

How do you identify yourself?

​Example

5 words

5 images​

We will share our posters with the class. Please don't include anything too personal if you don't want to share it with the class.​