Material culture includes the physical representation of culture as it relates to architecture and things around people. This encompasses the production, consumption, trade, and use of materials, as also as the norms. It focuses primarily on evidence material that has contributed to the culture of today and yesterday. Material culture describes the relationship between a group of people and the objects they own or have access to. This includes the making, reservations and history of objects (Tilley 2012.P116-126).
Materiality cannot be separated nor omitted. Materiality also integrates social sciences and humanities such as archeology and art history. Material culture includes everything from architectural elements, buildings, to books, toothbrushes, jewelry and other items. Materiality explains the evolution of cultures in an interesting way. It is for this reason that I think culture and materiality are inextricably linked.
According to researchers, culture is based on materiality. This is because it evaluates what our forefathers were doing and how current generations perceive and do things. Various anthropologists have interpreted different objects as having different cultural meanings. Material is valued primarily for its monetary value and sentimental worth. The materiality of culture has been used in commerce and trade to evaluate the value of commodities. Kahneman believes that materiality is an integral part of culture. This is because it has existed for decades and continues to be used by people to determine their culture.
Materiality examines and evaluates cultural dimensions in terms of globalization, connectivity, and mobility (Cooper, 2013). P1002). The materiality of culture also tends evaluate how styles, things, and aesthetics changed over the years. In the olden days, people used a variety of brushes, including salt, sticks, and even trees. Today, however, the plastic toothbrush is the preferred option. Researchers can determine the changes in culture by examining materiality.
Also, “materiality” aims to address the issue of global importance that these collections can raise. For example, their role within the current debates surrounding citizenship and belonging. The role of these objects in bringing groups together who have a sense that they belong to multiple societies is a topic of interest (Stocking, 2013 P120-122). Materiality is also a major factor in museums, as they provide evidence on how societies have adopted different cultures. Materiality is also a crucial factor in shaping our human experience. Materiality is a key element in culture and has helped to facilitate communication, just as other forms such as speech, gestures, or touch have. Artifacts and materials in culture, such as artworks, can contain memories of the past that are shared by different generations. Material culture is also a way to see how different cultures have developed. The language has evolved over the years from simple objects into more complex objects. Gift-giving, which is a universal practice that has an emotional impact, can also be considered a part of cultural materiality. Culture is defined by symbols, values, beliefs, and artifacts. The materiality of these elements makes it impossible for materiality to be separated from culture.
Material culture can also help in understanding how people lived in the past. It provides evidence on the evolution of the equipment, tools and way of living. Researchers have found artifacts that show that early humans used coins to exchange goods. The exchange system has evolved since the advent of paper money. By nature, material culture repositories are museums and “active contributors to the heritage industry”. (Gould 2014, p.889-989). The heritage industry relies heavily on material culture and objects to interpret cultural heritage. It is therefore important to preserve material culture, as it inspires people visit historical sites and museums to interact and learn about the physical objects of the past. Materiality also embodies “social relations”. Materiality is not valid without a meaning.
In general goods, money and gifts are all important for generating cultural meanings. These commodities also influence social relations on many levels. Gift-giving has existed for centuries and its meaning varies between cultures. Gifts are an expression or gratitude in some cultures. In others, they’re a sign of respect and appreciation. The culture of gifting has different meanings depending on who you are. Some people, such as those raised in the Chinese or Western cultures, see gifts as a curse. Others view them positively. In some cultures, giving gifts is a great way to build a strong relationship between two communities that were once rivals. It can also be a way to bring people together who had been in a state of miscommunication for a while.
In addition, the culture has been used by people to symbolise peace. They give away their surplus. Different cultures also use gift-giving to symbolize unity and love when people give money, commodities or food as gifts to those in need. The poor and those unable to cover their basic requirements can benefit from this gesture. It has also helped to eliminate misunderstandings among cultures by presenting gifts as a form of forgiveness.
In some cultures, people give gifts at weddings, Christmas and new year to show appreciation and togetherness. Many times, when someone travels abroad or stays in a country for an extended period of time, it’s expected that upon returning, he/she bring gifts for the people left behind. Gift giving is important to almost all cultures. They see it as a nice way to appreciate people. Some cultures view gift giving as a cultural tradition. As such, people like the Chinese have a duty to give gifts on special occasions. Gift giving to these cultures is more a part of their culture than an obligation.
It is taboo in some cultures to refuse gifts. In cultures like those of Africans, Chinese and others, it is customary to reject a gift with the statement that the gift-giver is “far too kind”, but after “shoving and pinning”, you can finally accept it. In some cultures, giving is a sign of care and love towards others. Gregory claims that giving gifts to potential friends or enemies can help to create a stronger relationship. In some cultures, giving gifts is a way to show respect.
Gift giving is often used to strengthen relationships between different governments or communities. It can also be used to resolve disputes between states and tribes. These aspects have cultural significance, for example money being given as a type of gift or giving commodities. Different cultures have used money as a means of exchange, to express gratitude and to reward someone for doing well. In our current society, we have adopted an ideology that people give money as a gift or use it to “show appreciation” for doing good. Those who have chosen to disregard their cultures for the sake of wealth or self-achievement are those people. It has led to them suffering some consequences according to their cultures. In my family and culture, for instance, breaking the rules to obtain money or goods by illegal means like stealing can have negative consequences. This shows that cultures differ in their rules for gift-giving, money holding and other commodities.
Money or currency, which has replaced the barter system of trading, also has cultural significance. In contrast, gifts are used in many cultures to mark special occasions. As an example, at work, gift-giving is used to motivate employees and improve their performance. Gift giving is a culture that has evolved in many societies. It’s been used by them to build strong relationships within families, communities and workplaces. Money has, on the contrary, shown the unity of a nation due to the use of a single currency and preserving its different cultures. But different cultures understand money differently and have different purposes (Hodder 104-128).
