A better environment for our future starts from within us!
Culture
Environmental identities in different cultures
Our world consists of many different cultures. Each of these culture take on differing values, behaviours and perception in the idea of nature and environment. As nature plays a vital role in almost all cultures, their environmental identity is established. These culturally perpetuated environmental identities are presented differently in each of these cultures.
Indian culture
The perception of the human-nature relation in Indian culture can be represented by the word kutumba – family. Every species, entity and living thing is a part of a large family system presided over by Devi Vasundhara (Mother Earth). The Earth is a haven for the development of humankind, providing humans a safe space for growth – just like a maternal figure. As such, nature and environment is perceived as a mother, and humans are her children. Humans are thus supposed to maintain a kinship-like relation with our natural environment.
Chinese culture
Nature and environment in Chinese culture is regarded as an entity which should be untainted from human touch. All living and non-living elements of nature (animals, plants, water bodies, etc) belongs to ‘Heaven’ and is seen as a form of connection with Earth. As nature is self-sufficient and well balanced, humans should not interfere with it with bad intentions as it is seen as destroying the harmony of nature.
Confucian teachings, which majorly contributes to Chinese morals and values, highlights nature to be a key player for attaining harmony in humankind. As all species in the world are equal, one should not take advantage of the other. For instance, humans should not exploit the natural environment for their personal benefits as others are harmed at the expense of one’s selfishness. Instead, all species should learn to live together without intervention in order to achieve harmony.
Thus, humans are not allowed to regulate nature on their own. Additionally, humans are ranked equally as natural elements, disallowing any anthropogenic actions.
African culture
In African cultures, humans are viewed to be part of the environment. In perspective of God, humans and nature are distinct, but are still interdependent on each other. Plants, animals, and other non-living beings also belong to the world of nature – a creation of God.
In traditional African societies, many people believed that natural elements like trees and forests manifest the power of God or a deity being that they believed in. A few examples of these trees include fig trees and baobabs. These places, called Kiungu or Kitasioni, are deemed as ideal places to communicate and meet God. African cultures maintained much respect to these trees and forests and as such, firewood, woodcutting or any acts which could harm these trees were allowed.
Due to their sacredness, African cultures were able to preserve their nature and environment, upholding their environmental identity.
Native American culture
The natural environment is deemed as an element that Native American cultures live in and are a part with. : there is no separation between humans and the environment that they live in.
Additionally, the natural environment hosts a sense of spirituality. Animals uphold significant spiritual values, and humans are to respect these animals in order to maintain a relationship with nature.
Some Native American cultures believe that each person is guided by 9 different animals (but mainly guided by only 1) throughout his/her life. These animal guides, also known as totems, are believed to appear at different stages of one’s life. The main totem animal has the strongest connection out of the 9 and can share the same characteristics or dreams as the person.
Totem animals and their characteristics. Source:https://www.pinterest.com.mx/pin/533606255829317297/
