Acculturation is an anthropological and sociological concept that is related to the fusion of elements belonging to two or more cultures.
It is determined by a dynamic process of social and cultural change that takes place through contact (direct or indirect) between different social groups.
These groups are influenced by different elements, and thus, create new structures. As an example, we can mention the fusion between Greek and Roman culture that generated the Greco-Roman culture.
Remember that culture is a very broad concept that involves knowledge, values, customs, ways of doing things, practices, habits, behaviors and beliefs of certain people. It is not static and is therefore in a continuous process of modification.
Acculturation in Brazil
In Brazil, the concept of acculturation can be exemplified by the encounter between Portuguese and Indians during the period of the great navigations.
As we know, this acculturation was imposed. In other words, when the Portuguese arrived here they forced the indigenous people to abandon their beliefs. An example is the catechization of these peoples through the Jesuits.
In addition to the Portuguese, we must remember that black slavery was a determining factor in the creation of Brazilian culture as we know it today. With that, we can conclude that the acculturation between these three cultures originated ours: the Brazilian culture.
It is easy to notice several Portuguese, indigenous and African elements that still belong to our culture today. Cuisine, objects and words are some examples that acculturation took place and still takes place in Brazilian lands with different groups of immigrants.
Acculturation and Globalization
Currently, globalization is a process that has provided greater interaction between different peoples in the world. Along with this, we can mention the technological advance which has facilitated the breaking of barriers between different social groups.
In the age of communication mediated by the speed of information, people have incorporated some cultural and social elements from other groups.
If on the one hand "cultural globalization" enhances the loss of cultural identity, on the other hand, it reduces xenophobia among the peoples of the world.
Read too:
- What is Culture?
- African culture
- cultural relativism
Types of Acculturation
Basically there are two types of acculturation which depend on the type of contact between the cultures involved.
- direct acculturation: happens through processes that involve colonization, wars, immigration, etc.
- Indirect Acculturation: it occurs indirectly, for example, the means of communication (television, social networks, newspapers, etc.) that indirectly affect the ways of thinking and acting of certain social groups.
Acculturation and Cultural Assimilation
As we have seen above, acculturation can take place directly or indirectly. Along with this, we can also include other aspects related to these.
By deepening the types of acculturation, we have a process that arises from the assimilation of different cultural elements; and another, in a destructive way, in which the culture that had been dominated is in part extinguished. Both processes will depend on how this interaction takes place.
The first is developed by the cultural and social influence of different groups, however, without extinguishing elements of both.
In this case, it occurs peacefully and enriches cultural heritage, for example, the influence of globalization on current cultures.
In the second model mentioned, acculturation happens through imposition. A notorious example is the colonization of America in which Europeans hostilely imposed their customs on the peoples who lived here.
Having made this observation, we can conclude that cultural assimilation is a concept that is closely related to acculturation. This is because it allows the inclusion of cultural characteristics and elements from other social groups.
Transculturation and Enculturation
Transculturation is a concept that comes close to acculturation. It is characterized by the adoption of cultural forms and patterns from a different culture. This process takes place gradually, until it reaches that of acculturation characterized by the blending or imposition of another culture.
Another cultural process similar to acculturation is enculturation, also called enculturation. It is the process by which we learn, acquire and internalize values, norms and behavior throughout life.
Learn more about the concept of cultural appropriation.
