4.

MAJOR CULTURAL WORLDS (1) The Polar Cultural World

Russell and associates (1971) have The polar cultural world includes the
observed that individual assemblages of people land areas situated around the Arctic Ocean
possess characteristic cultural traits that enable extending to the Arctic circle including Tundra
social scientists to group people on the basis of and Taiga climatic regions. The polar cultural
their cultures. The cultural world is the first world is characterised by very cold climatic
conditions which have determined the different
order spatial cultural group, which is the cultural patterns in the cold regions of Eurasia
broadest of these groupings. The cultural and North America (Northern Canada and
worlds are further subdivided into the cultural Alaska).
realms, the second order cultural groups. The polar lands are characterised by
Following are well-recognized cultural words: the long severe winter together with the
(1) The Polar cultural world absence of a summer of reasonable length. In
the long winter season the sun does not appear
(2) The European cultural world above the horizon and continuous nights reigns
(3) The American cultural world for several months. As the temperature remains
(4) The Dry cultural world below freezing point for 8 to 10 months, the
ground is frozen so deeply that summer cannot
(5) The African cultural world bring about acomplete thaw. So harsh climatic
(6) The Oriental cultural world conditions impose an immense effect at
(7) The Pacific cultural world adaptation on living things. The flora and fauna
both adapt themselves to the polar cold. The

3
 75° H60° Cultural Realms
430° 30° 60 S
N
180°E
180°E

-VII
150°
150°

8000

120° 120°
Kilometres
I VI 4000
90° 90°

60° 60°
Worlds

30°
II 30° Cultur
IV
Major
0
26.5:
30° 30° Fig.

60° 60°

90° 90°
world
cultural
European
world
II world
cultural
African
world
world
cultural
world
Polar cultural
worid
cutural
cultural
120° Worlds
Cuitural 120°
cultural
American
Oriental
Pacific
Dry 150
W
1-9W
III IV VI VII
V

75° 60° 30° 30° 60°

S
N
 510
Human Geography
Arctic plants are all dwarfs. Natural
includes mosses, lichens, grass and vegetation The Ameriican
flower plants in the Tundra region. dwarf extends from the Älaskapolar
and
cultural realm
of both the flora and"The in the west
outstandirtg features
fauna of the old regions is their the
homeland
to
Greenland in theWestern
of the
Canada
east and
vegetable and animal worlds alikepoverty. The only dog as Eskimos. The Eskimos ishave
the
considerable number of individuals,comprise
but these
domesticated
for their food on
caribau
animal and depend
and
belong to a very few species seal. They are sea animals like
60). Due to very cold "(Perpillou, 1986, primarily
have adjusted their life hunting
to people and
until recently there isclimate and lack of soils,
no cultivation in the environment. The Eskimos live in the tundra
Arctic region. round house mnade of ice blocks Igloos, a itle
lined with skins
The polar region is very attached by ribs of whales through the roof.
populated and the people depend sparsely bones For
transportation they use Sledges made of
heavily upon
animals for their food, and use of plants or wood and
is about use caribou skins for are drawn by dogs. They
negligible. The people racially belong to the making shoes. clothing arnd seal skins for
Mongoloid racial stock. Spatially there are The existence of man in the
many tribalgroups in different regions such cold Arctic
Eskimos, Samoyeds, Tungus, Yakuts, Yukaghirs as land furnishes a remarkable example
ingerious adaptation to the resources of an of
and Chukchis who speak
There are much similaritiesdifferent languages.
in their way
animal environment. Food, clothing and shelter
but there are considerable of life, (dwelling) depend almost exclusively on the
differences between animal kingdomns. Various kinds of game, fish
different cultural areas. "The most pronounced and reindeer meat and
differernce divides the polar culture milk make up the diet of
world into the polar people. They obtain the raw
two main culture realmns, Eurasian and of clothing from the skins of bear, dogs, material
American. The outstanding distinction is that reindeer and seals.
domestic
the peoples of Eurasian realm are mainly The polar cold lands have long since
hunters of land animals and herders of reindeer, attached settlement on their fringes due to the
while those of the American realm are mainly availability of resources they require. In recernt
hunters of sea animals. The way of life of years a number of small towns have also been
European people takes them inland whereas the established by the Europeans and Americans
American realm peoples congregate along in the polar regions and have added new tints
coast" (Russel et al, 1971, 9). of urbarn culture in the harsh environment of
The Eurasian polar cultural realm Tundra. The European and American contacts
extends from Norway in the west to far east even though temporary, have brought many
Siberia. This cold belt is the homeland of many unwelcomechanges to the natives of the polar
tribal groups including Lapps, Samoyeds, world.
Tungus, Yakuts, Yukaghirs, Chukchis etc. Most
of these tribal orouDs nractise transhumance The European Cultural World
 510
Human Gography

Antic plants are all dwarfs. Naural vegetation The American polar
cultural realm
includes mosses, lichens, grass and dwarf extends froD the laska and Western Canada
flower plants in the Tundra region. "The in the west to Greenland in the
east and is the
outstanditg features of both the flora and the homeland of the Eskimos. The Eskimos have
fauna of the cold regions is their poverty. The only dog as
vegetable and animal worlds alike comprise a for their fooddomesticated animal and depend
on caribau and sea
considerable number of individuals, but these seal. They are animals like
belong to a very few species "(Perpillou, 1986, have adjustedprimarily hunting people and
60). Due to very cold climate and lack of soils, their life to the tundra
until recently there is no cultivation in the environment. The Eskimos live in Igloos, a little
round
Arctic region. house made of ice blocks lined with skins
The polar region is very
attached by ribs of whales through the roof.
For
bonestransportation
populated and the people depend heavily sparsely they use Sledges made of
or wood and are drawn
upon
animals for their food, and use of plants is about by dogs. They
use caribou skins for clothing and seal
negligible. The people racially belong to the skins for
making shoes.
Mongoloid racial stock. Spatially there are The existence of man in the cold
many tribal groups in different regions such as land furnishes a remarkable Arctic
Eskimos, Samoyeds, Tungus, Yakuts,Yukaghirs example of
ingerious adaptation to the resources
and Chukchis who speak of an
There are much similaritiesdifferent languages.
in their way of life,
animal environment.Food, clothing and shelter
but there are considerable (dwelling) depend almost exclusively on the
differences between animal kingdoms. Various kinds of
different cultural areas. "The most pronounced and reindeer meat and milk make up game, fish
the diet of
difference divides the polar culture world into the polar people. They obtain the raw material
two main culture realms, Eurasian and
of clothing from the skins of bear, dogs,
American. The outstanding distinction is that reindeer and seals. domestic
the peoples of Eurasian realm are mainly
hunters of land animals and herders of reindeer, The polar cold lands have long since
while those of the American realm are mainly attached settlement on their fringes due to the
hunters of sea animals. The way of life of availability of resources they require. In recent
years a number of small towns have also been
European people takes them inland whereas the
American realm peoples established by the Europeans and
coast" (Russel et al, 1971, 9). congregate along inthe polar regions and have addedAmericans
new tints
of urban culture in the harsh
The Eurasian polar cultural realm environment of
Tundra. The European and American contacts
extends from Norway in the west to far east even though temporary, have brought many
Siberia. This cold belt is the homeland of many
tribal groups including Lapps, Samoyeds, unwelcome changes to the natives of the polar
world.
Tungus, Yakuts, Yukaghirs, Chukchis etc. Most
of these tribal groups practise transhumance (2) The European Cultural World
mainly north-south direction to save from the
severe cold winter climate. The Lapps in
The European cultural world is
European Taiga domesticate the reindeer and considered the hearth of the Western culture.
use its milk for food but most of the other
tribal Hence the European culture is the synonym tor
people are reindeer hunters. In Siberia, the Occidental (Western)culture. Europe continent
reindeer are used for transport also. They are is the homeland of Western culture. It is highly
used in pulling Sledges. The Tungus and Koriaks heterogeneous continent not only physically
use them for riding. but also culturally. Its cultural diversity may
 Cultural Realms 511

be seen in the spatial pattern of languages. The

Germanic languages are dominant in North improvement in already elaborate

West Europe, the Latin or Romance languages transportational network, new industrial
processes etc." (Chandna, 2009, 412)
in the Meditenarran region (South Europe) and Today the hallmark of the European
the Slavic languages in Eastern Burope. All these cultural world is the
linguistic sub-families belong to the same large The culturalbond of theurban-industrial
Europe
society.
is strengthened
Indo-European linguisticfamily. mainly by Christianity and also by Germanic
From ancient to mniddle ages the nucleus and Latir languages. Besides there
of the Occidental culture was the southern or and linguistic diversities in differentareparts
ethriC
of
Mediterranean Europe, which spread towards Europe. "Europe has witnessed the
north and west, and consequently cultured unprecedented development of the nation states
North-West Europe. During middle ages the as a result of the eighteen century
explorers and navigators extended their enlightenment, more particularly the Industrial
hegemony in far reaching regions of the world. Revolution which was instrumental in
"During the last 500 years they have spread spreading European culture and technology to
their culture in different regions of the world the far corners of the earth" (Singh, L. R., 2003.
by trade, political colonization, investment and 275).
geostrategy and superimposed their culture on Religiously Europe is predominantly
the peripheral regional cultures. The adoption Christian, may be Protestant, Catholic or
of their technology, capitalist system of Orthodox with religious grouping in north
management and their administration by the west, south and east respectively. But the
regional cultures has facilitated the element of Islamn and Judaism are also present
globalization of the European culture (Singh, in southern and middle parts of the continent.
L.R., 2003, 295). The Southern Europe On the basisof spatial pattern of languages and
(Mediterranean region) was the cradle of ancient technology, European cultural world is divided
Greek and Roman cultures. North-West Europ into three parts: (1) North-West European
enjoys quite favourable relationship between Realm, (2) Mediterranean Realm,and (3)Eastern
population and the supporting capacity of their European Realm.
resources on the one, hand and improved The North-west cultural reaim
technology on the other hand. That is why, this includes British Islands (U.K. and Ireland), the
region is treated as one of the elite regions of the Scandinavian lands (Norway, Sweden,
world. Denmark and Iceland), Germany and the low
The prosperity of Europe was more countries (Netherlands, Belgium and
dependent upon the amount of foreign exchange Luxemburg). Religiously this realm is
of skills, technology, goods, etc. Owing to their predominantly Protestant (Christians) and
large populations and limited resources, there linguistically is dominated by Germanic
emerges astruggle for existence, supported
languages such as English, German,Danish, and
mainly by close trade ties to obtain the best by Dutch etc.
the collaboration of scattered and limited
resources and raw materials. "Efforts are still The Mediterranean cultural realm has
continuing to discover new local physical given birth to a distinctive cultural realm
resources and more significantly to develop comprising of Spain, Portugal, southern France,
new methods for extracting greater benefits Italy,Greek and other parts of southern Burope.
from familiar resources. Thus, there is a modest Roman
The Heritage of ancient Greek andclassical
search for additional domestic minerals, steady civilizations and traditions of these
rise in agricultural output, better realization of cultures are the hallmarks of the Mediterrarnean
are
forest potentials, developments of hydropower, realm. The people of this realm in majority
 512
Human Geography

followers of Roman Catholic. Except only Greek these countries has grown largely by the
(Greek language) in other countries of this realm Europearn, Asian and African immigrants and,
one or the other language of the Latin linguistic thus, there is abewilderíng mixture of racial
family are spoken. Economically and and linguistic minorities.
technologically this realm is relatively less \ The first permanent settlements of the
developed than that of north-western Europe. Europeans in Anglo-America were established
The East European cultural realm by the Spaniards in south-east U.S.A. At the
extends over East Europe including former same time the English and the French occupied
U.S.S.R. Its cultural characteristics are quite the eastern part of Anglo America and moved
different from other adjoining cultural realms. westward and southward. Later on they
"The cultural evolution owes to the rise and
development of the Russian Federation. The
pushed the Spaniards southwards into Mexico
and the parts of Central America. After the
Russian Revolution of 1917 resulted in defeatöfFrench by the English in 1763, the most
socialistic pattern of polity and society. The of the cold and temperate North America was
most perceptible change in cultural landscape occupied by the English, and so is called Anglo
is the emergence of many towns in the rural America. It cóverslarge territories that are well
agrarian mosaic." (Singh, L.R., 2003, 278). The stocked of known or potential resources. The
people of this realm are predominantly technologies are highly advanced and are also
Orthodox (Christians). and Speak Slavic rapidly expanding. The American society is well
languages. equipped with technological, economic and
social means to maximize the national as well
(3) The American Cultural World as personal affluence. "By virtue of their
extensive territories and general physical
The American cultural world is resources, these regions are able not only to
actually part of Occidental (Western) cultural create lofty social and economic estates within
world, originated in Europe. North America and their own territories but also are able to have
South America are jointly known as New World access to resources of other countries on their
because these were invented by the Europeans oWn terms by virtues of their political and
in the last of the 15th century A.D. Both the
commercial arrangements. In this nearly ideal
continents are settled by the Europeans and are concurrence of factors though the economy has
dominated by European races, languages, developed rapidly, it has caused irreparable
religion, technology and way of life. On the basis damage to the habitat due to the destructive
of dominated languages, it is divided into two manner in which the people of these regions
major cultural realms : (i) Anglo America and have used their own as well as outside
(ii) Latin America. The U.S.A. and Canada
constitute the Anglo America in which the New resources, especially the soils, forests and
World Revolution has reached its highest. Latin grasslands, minerals, mineral oil and water
America includes whole South America, Central supplies" (Chandna, 2009, 412)
America and Mexico and Caribbean Latin America : The Latin American
which are still a developing world ascountries,
they are
cultural realm extends over Mexico, Centra
America, West Indies and South America.
developing economies, societies and polities. Latin America was the destination of
Anglo America : Anglo America European migrants from Iberian Peninsula I"
includes the main land of the U.S.A. (except (Spain and Portugal). The people from Spa
Hawaiiand Alaska) and Canada. Both Canada
and the U.S.A. have a highly tirstly reached the Caribbean countries, Mexico,
developed
industrial-urban society. Linguistically it is the Central America and Colombia. During
half of the 19th century the European migration
English dominated society. The population of rose high and their destinations were the
 Cultural Realms
513

countries of South America : Brazil, Venezuela, and Colombia are

predominantly Mestizo and
Colombia, Argentina, Uruguay, Peru and Chile. Ecuador is dominated by Indians.
The Europeans, mainly Spaniards and Mexico.
All the Countries of Latin
America are
Portuguese established their colonies in directly influenced by the Mediterranean
Central America, West Indies and South culture in termns of language, religion, racial
America. Thus, the Spanish and Portuguese stock, tradition etc. They all are developing
cultures: Latin languages and Catholic countries relying mostly on agriculture, mining,
Christianity are dominant in Latin America. manufacturing and trade.
), Besides, Brazil and Argentina have received
many immigrants from Germany, Italy and East (4) The Dry Cultural World
Europe also. During the colonial period, the
Negroes from Africa in a large number. were The dry cultural world is dominated by
taken to Latin Americaas aslavelabour for the harsh dry environmental conditions and
functiohing of plantation agriculture. Muslim culture. Culturally it is recognized as
Thus, however, in the population of the 'Muslim World', 'Arab World' and
Latin America, there is much racial admixture geographically as the 'Dry World'. It extends
: Mulatto (mixture of Negro and White over a-vast dry territory of the Afro-Asian
people), Mestizo (mixture of Indian and landmass. A wide band of dry land extends
White people), Zambo (mixture of Negro and across the Old World from the shores of the
Indian). Atlantic Ocean in North Africa to the Manchuria
Before the arrival of the Europeans, Central Asia through North Africa (Sahara
Mexico was a much settled country with the desert), South-West Asia (Arabian desert) and
Advanced Mayan civilization. Now the Central Asian desert. "The belt consists of a vast
economy of MexXiCo is centered on agriculture, area of natural regions in which, of whatever
mining, industry and trade. The Central race the inhabitants may be the influence of the
environment has caused fundamental likeness
America lying between Mexico and South
America includes Guatemala, Honduras, in the mode of life. The feature common to al
Salvador, Nicaragua, Coasta Rica, and Panama. these regionsis inadequacy of rainfall and
The Caribbean Islands are known as West scarcity_ of water, which in deserts may reach
Indies which include Cuba the Greater Antilles, complete aridity. Whatever the local climate
Hati, Dominica, Jamaica, Purto Rico and the may be, the conditions of life are determined by
lesser Antilles (Trinidad, St. Lucia, Barbados and the incidence of adry season of more or less
Guadeloupe). The people of West Indies are great length. Alldevelopment of life is subject
raciallymore Negroid and Caucasoid and are to the water supply (Perpillou, 1986, 164).
noted for plantation agriculture (banana, In most areas of dry lands, the climate
sugarcane etc.) does not allow agriculture to develop and only
Brazil is the largest country of Latin very Iimited reserves of water can make
America both in terms of area (8.5 million sq. irrigated oases blossom. These regions provide
km.) and population (about 180 million). Its extensive areas of grasslands on the borders of
the deserts. These treeless open spaces provide
population comprises of Portuguese, Spaniards, shelter for herbivorous animals such as sheep,
Germans, Negroes and American Indians and goats, horses, camels, antelopes etc.
 Cultural Realms 513

countries of South America:Brazil, Venezuela. and Colombia are predominantly Mestizo and
Colombia, Argentina, Uruguay, Peru and Chile. Ecuador is dominated by Indians.
The Europeans, mainly Spaniards and All the Countries of Latin America are
Portuguese established their colonies in Mexico, directly influenced by the Mediterranean
Central America, West Indies and South culture in terms of language, religion, racial
America. Thus, the Spanish and Portuguese stock, tradition etc. They all are developing
cultures: Latin languages and Catholic countries relying mostly on agriculture, mining
Christianity are dominant in Latin America. manufacturing and trade.
Besides, Brazil and Argentina have received
many immigrants from Germany, Italy and East (4) The Dry Cultural World
Europe also. During the colonial period, the
Negroes from Africa in alar8e numberL Were Thedry cultural world is dominated by
taken to Latin America as aslave labour for the harsh dry environmental conditions and
functiohing of plantation agriculture.
Muslim culture. Culturally it is recognízed as
Thus, however, in the population of the 'Muslim World', 'Arab World' and
Latin America, there is much racial admixture geographically as the 'Dry World'. It extends
: Mulatto (mixture of Negro and White over a-vast dry teritory of the Afro-Asian
people), Mestizo(mixture of Indian and landmass. A wide band of dry land extends
White people), Zambo (mixture of Negro and across the Old Worldfrom the shores of the
Indian). Atlantic Ocean in North Africa to the Manchuria
Before the arrival of the Europeans, in Central Asia through North Africa (Sahara
Mexico was a much settled country with the desert),South-West Asia (Arabian desert) and
Advanced Mayan civilization. Now the Central Asian desert. "The belt consists of a vast
economy of Mexico is centered on agriculture, area of natural regions in which, of whatever
mining, industry and trade. The Central race the inhabitants may be the influence of the
America lying between Mexico and South environment has caused fundamental ikeness
America includes Guatemala, Honduras, in the mode of life. The feature common to al
Salvador, Nicaragua, Coasta Rica, and Panama. these regionsis inadequacy of rainfall and
The Caribbean Islands are known as West scarcity of water, which in deserts may reach
Indies which include Cuba the Greater Antilles, complete aridity. Whatever the local climate
Hati, Dominica, Jamaica, Purto Rico and the may be, the conditions of life are determined by
lesser Antilles (Trinidad, St. Lucia, Barbados and the incidence of a dry season of more or less
Guadeloupe). The people of West Indies are great length. All development of life is subject
racially more Negroid and Caucasoid and are to the water supply (Perpillou, 1986%, 164).
noted for plantation agriculture (banana,_ In most areas of dry lands, the climate
sugarcane etc.) does not allow agricultureto develop andonly
Brazil is the largest country of Latin very Iimited reserves of water can make
America both in terms of area (8.5 million sq. irrigated oases blossom. These regions provide
km.) and population (about 180 million). Its extensive areas of grasslands on the borders of
population comprises of Portuguese, Spaniards, the deserts. These treeless open spaces provide
Germans, Negroes and American Indians and shelter for herbivorous animals such as sheep,
its official language isPortuguese. The official goats, horses,camels, antelopes etc.
or dominating languages of other Latin The economies of dry world are
American countries are mostly Spanish. The predominantly pastoral. In these areas people
southern countries of South America : are very sparsely inhabited and rear and make
Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Chile are use of animals, which they have domesticated
racially European and Mestizo (mixed such as the sheep, goat, cow, horse, ass, and
American Indian and White) while Venezuela camel. Upto the present time, their whole
 HumanGeography
514

existence stillrested on these

domesticated Agricultur is the basis ofeconomy where
only
animals. These arnimalsprovide them not also water for irrigation is somehow available.
food (milk, meat etc.) and implements, but Egypt is noted for intensive cultivation with
the means of trade and transportation.
the help of irrigation from River Nile. Actually
The pastoral mode of life depends on a Egypt is an oasis in the wide expanse of the
Sahara desert and agriculture is the gift of the
herd or flock to provide food and other items Nile. Mining is also an important economic
necessary to the migratory life. The pastoral life activity and base of economny in many countries
consists of continualmovement in the search of
food and water for the domesticated animals. particularly in Arab countries in south-west
Asia (Soudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, Iran, United
Thus, the whole life of these people bears the Arab Emirates) and Libya and Nigeria in North
mark of mobility and their dwelling is Africa where petroleum resources are available
portable (in the form of tents) and is carried in high quantity.
about. In most of the arid regions nomadic
The Turko-Mangolian cultural realm is
nigration is usually regular and orderly in concentrated in Central and West Asia
character.
extending from Turkey and Iran in the West to
The dry cultural world is characterized Mongolia in the east. This realm is quite
by monotheism. On the account of religious heterogeneous in human race, language and
belief most of these regions are dominated by religion. The inhabitants of Turkey belong to
Islam (Muslim religion). In Central Asia, Islam Caucasoid race. The population of Mongolia and
and Buddhism both may be found the important other regions of Central Asia are related with
religions. On the basis of regional difference in Mongolian stock. "Iran and Turan have their
mode of life and ethnicor religious character of own distinctive cultural traits. Afghan, Tartars,
the people, dry cultural world is divided into Mongols and Kirgizs have their own way of life
twocultural realms called (1) the Arab-Berber as Tibet and Mongolia practise Buddhism
cultural realm, and (2) the Turko-Mangolian (Singh, L.R., 2003,281). The Islamic belief is well
cultural realm. spread from Turkey to Kazakhstan through
The Arab Berber cultural realm occupies Iran, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan
whole North Africa (Sahara desert) and and Kirghizstan. In this realm there is quite
Arabian Peninsula and extends to the western diversity in languages though they seem to be
border of Iran. People of this realm belong affected by European languages.
mainly Caucasoid race. Their language is (5) The African Cultural World
mainly Arabic that belongs Semitic linguistic
family. The whole realm is Islamic in religion. The African cultural world is dominated
This realm is greatly influenced by the European by the Negroid people (Negroes and Negritoes).
culture particularly Greek and Roman cultures. It includes the major parts of Africa south ols
Its contribution to human cvilization has been
the Sahara desert. It occupies about two-third
quite substantive. In ancient period, the great part of Africa.This part of Africa is considered
civilization of Mesopotamia (Babylonian and the original home of mankind as demonstrated
Assyrian) and Egypt were developed in this on Rhodesian man dating back to nearly
realm, which had a great impact on growth of 125,000years. Some anthropologists consider
the European culture and civilization. During that the Negroes are their developed species
the European Dark Ages, the Arab, and other with characteristic racial traits. Taylor thinks
people of this dry realm proved their worth as that Negritoesand Negroes came to Africa from
Neøroidhas dark skin,
 HumanGeography
S14 Agricultur is the basis of economy where
these domestlcated
existene still rested on
prwvide them not only water for irrigation is somehow available
animals. These animals also Egypt is noted for intensive cultivation with
etc.)and implements, but
food (milk, meat transportation. the help of irrigation from River Nil. Actually
the means of trade and Egypt is an oasis in the wide expanse of the
The pastoral mode of life depends on a Sahara desert and agriculture is the gift of the
herd or Aock to provide food and other items Nile. Mining is also an important economic
necessary to the migratory life. The pastoral life activity and base of economy in many countries
consists of continual movement in the search of
particularly in Arab countries in south-west
food and water for the domesticated animals. Asia (Soudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, Irarn, United
Thus, the whole life of these people bears the Arab Emirates) and Libya and Nigeria in North
mark of mobility and their dwelling is Africa where petroleum resources are available
portable (in the form of tents) and is carried in high quantity.
about. In most of the arid regions nomadic The Turko-Mangolian cultural realm is
migration is usually regular and orderly in concentrated in Central and West Asia
character. extending from Turkey and Iran in the West to
The dry cultural world is characterized Mongolia in the east. This realm is quite
by monotheism. On the account of religious heterogeneous in human race, language and
belief most of these regions are dominated by religion. The inhabitants of Turkey belong to
Islam (Muslim religion). In Central Asia, slam Caucasoid race. The population of Mongolia and
and Buddhism both may be found the important other regions of Central Asia are related with
religions. On the basis of regional difference in Mongolian stock. "Iran and Turan have their
mode of life and ethnicor religious character of own distinctive cultural traits. Afghan, Tartars,
the people, dry cultural world is divided into Mongols and Kirgizs have their own way of life
two culturalrealms called (1) the Arab-Berber as Tibet and Mongolia practise Buddhism
cultural realm, and (2) the Turko-Mangolian (Singh, L.R.,2003, 281). The Islamic belief is well
cultural realm. spread from Turkey to Kazakhstan through
Iran, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan
The Arab Berber cultural realm occupies and Kirghizstan. In this realm there is quite
whole North Africa (Sahara desert) and diversity in languages though they seem to be
Arabian Peninsula and extends to the western
affected by European languages.
border of Iran. People of this realm belong
mainly Caucasoid race. Their language is (5) The African Cultural World
mainly Arabic that belongs Semitic linguistic
family. The whole realm is Islamic in religion. The African cultural world is dominated
This realm is greatly influenced by the European by the Negroid people (Negroes and Negritoes)
culture particularly Greek and Roman cultures. It includes the major parts of Africa south of
Its contribution to human civilization has been
the Saharadesert. It occupies about two-third
quite substantive. In ancient period, the great part of Africa. This part of Africa is considered
civilization of Mesopotamia (Babylonian and the original home of mankind as demonstrated
Assyrian) and Egypt were developed in this on Rhodesian man dating back to nearly
realm, which had a great impact on growth of 125,000 years. Some anthropologists consider
the European culture and civilization. During that the Negroes are their developed species
the European Dark Ages, the Arab, and other with characteristic racial traits. Taylor thinks
people of this dry realm proved their worth as that Negritoes and Negroes came to Africa from
caretakers of the ancient Greek and Roman Asia (the cradle land). Negroid has dark skin,
civilizations. tlat nose, woolly hair, broad head and short to
 Cultural Realms 515

medium stature. The African Negroes have Ingeneral, per capita incomes of agrariarn people
three subdivisions: (i) the Negroes, (ii) The are low and very low. The entire socio-cultural
Pygmy or Negritoes, and (iii) Bushmen. The and economic set up of population in sub
Africa,
pure Negroes are found in West are
Saharan Africa is quite different from that in
CamerOon and Congo. Their other variants other backward continents like Asia and Latin
Hamitite Negroes in East Africa, Nilotic Negroes America.
eastern Sudan and Among African countries, South Africa
in upper Nile valley and The
forest Negroes in Equatorial Africa.
Africa
is much developed and influenced by the
Western culture. It was discovered by the Dutch
Bushmen and Hottentots of southern
with short stature are included in the Negrito who founded the Orange Free State and
racial stock though they have long head and Transwal. The resources of diamnonds and gold
yellowish brown complexion. As the home of attracted the German, British and French)
black Negroid people Africa south of Sahara is colonizers in eighteenth and nineteenth
known as Black Africa or Dark Africa. centuries. The British colonizers acquired not
German East
The Niger-Congo or Negro-Congo is the only South Africa but also most of
Africa and South-West Africa. After 1950 the
most dominant linguistic family of the south of
Saharain Africa, which includes Monde, Gur, political map of the African cultural world has
Kwa, Adamava and Benue-Congo. The Swahili, changed much and new sovereign states are
a sub-language of Benue-Congo has a well facing various types of social, economic and
developed literature and is the official language political problems.
of east African countries including Tanzania and
Kenya. In North Central Africa just north of the (6) The Oriental Cultural World
Niger-Congo linguisticregion, the Nilo-Saharan The oriental cultural world includes,
languages are quite common. Hausa is the most
widely used language of Nigeria. The languages South Asia, South-EastAsia, and East Asia,
which is noted for its cultural development
of Click family (Khoisan, Hottentot and
Sandawe etc.) dominate in the countries of sOme 5000 years ago when most of the
south-west Africa. Occidental world (Europe, North and South
America) was in wildness. In Oriental (Eastern)
There is no well-organized religion as cultural world there is everywhere traditions
such in Black Africa. Various tribal groups have
their own religions,which are deeply rooted in of very old and prosperous civilization
considering the great diversity of religions,
superstition and are fundamentally animistic.
The majority of black people of Africa follow languages, traditions and social organizations.
The oriental cultural world may be divided into
different tribal religions or animistic faiths. East
Africa is influenced by Islam while South Africa three cultural realms: (i) South Asian (ndian)
is dominated by Christianity. realm, (ii) East Asian (Chinese) realm, and (iii)
South East Asian (Malay) realm.
Africa is a sparsely populated continent
suffering from very high fertility rates (30 to 50 South Asia: South Asian cultural realm
per thousand) and sharply declining mortality is also known as Indian or Indic cultural realm.
rates. In comparison to Asia and Europe, Africa It extends over Indian subcontinent including
is a land of low densities, which supports, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh,
peasant agricultural societies under harsh Maldives and Sri Lanka. It holds a unique place
linguistic
hypsographicand climatic conditions. In sub in terms of ethnic, religious and cultural
Saharan Africa the population consists mostly diversities but as awhole unifying
of tribal organizations, which are still most to be the birth place of
unity. India is credited Hinduism, Buddhism,
backward. The agriculture is usually of atleast four religions : it has also
extensive type with very low per unit output. Jainism and Sikhism. Later on
 *includes
concern
ancestorChina great in the knownagriculture of
resides
populated continent.
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particularly
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(Telugu,
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adoption
Christianity Sino-Tibetan religious in
adopted 516
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countries succeeded years
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