The word culture, from the Latin colo, -ere, with its root meaning "to cultivate", generally refers to patterns of human activity and the symbolic structures that give such activity significance. Different definitions of "culture" reflect different theoretical bases for understanding, or criteria for evaluating, human activity. Anthropologists most commonly use the term "culture" to refer to the universal human capacity to classify, codify and communicate their experiences symbolically. This capacity is long been taken as a defining feature of the genus Homo. However, primatologists such as Jane Goodall have identified aspects of culture among our closest relatives in the animal kingdom.Goodall, J. 1986. The Chimpanzees of Gombe: Patterns of Behavior.

Defining "culture"

---

More on [ Culture ]

Sify.com News

Earthquake in Russia; 12 killed
Sun, 12 Oct 2008 12:56:23 +0530
At least 12 people were killed in an earthquake jolting Russia's North Caucasus region, media reported quoting the republic's health minister Musa Akhmadov. More than 100 people have been hospitalised in Chechnya, Akhmadov said.
N Korea off US terror list after nuke inspection deal
Sat, 11 Oct 2008 21:01:45 +0530
The US says North Korea has agreed to every nuclear inspection demand the Bush administration has sought, so the North is being dropped from a US terrorism blacklist.
Chiranjeevi's party rules out alliance with BJP, TDP
Sat, 11 Oct 2008 20:07:05 +0530
New Delhi: Chiranjeevi's party Praja Rajyam today ruled out any truck with either the BJP or TDP in Andhra Pradesh and the actor himself said CPI(M) is his natural ally unless it ties up with the TDP.
India, US seal N-deal, restore nuclear trade
Sat, 11 Oct 2008 21:06:58 +0530
Silencing sceptics in both countries, India and the US have signed the 123 civil nuclear pact after over three years of intense diplomatic and political debate - a historic move that will restore nuclear trade and transform ties between the once estranged democracies.
‘Sarah Palin abused power in trooper case’
Sat, 11 Oct 2008 14:56:44 +0530
Sarah Palin unlawfully abused her power as governor by trying to have her former brother-in-law fired as a state trooper, the chief investigator of an Alaska legislative panel concluded on Friday. The politically charged inquiry imperilled her reputation as a reformer on John McCain's Republican ticket.
Be respectful to Obama: McCain
Sat, 11 Oct 2008 11:37:43 +0530
Republican presidential candidate John McCain has urged his supporters to be respectful of his rival, Barack Obama, despite their deep policy differences with the Democratic nominee.

India-The Times of India

Dhule riot: Curfew relaxed for three hours, situation peaceful
The district administration today relaxed curfew for three hours this morning in north Maharashtra's Dhule town.
Preparations on for the launch of Chandrayaan
As hectic preparations are on for the launch of India's maiden moon mission Chandrayaan at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre here, scientists in ISRO are hopeful that the weather will be conducive for the scheduled lift off on October 22.
Nano roll out on Ratan Tata's birthday: Sources
According to sources, Tata Motors may launch Nano around the time Ratan Tata celebrates his 71st birthday on Dec 28, just as Indica was launched a decade ago.
Two Al-Badr militants arrested in Srinagar
Two top militants of Pakistan-backed Al-Badr militant outfit were today arrested from Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir, a police spokesman said.
Three more arrested in Orissa nun rape case
Three more persons have been arrested by Orissa crime branch from Kerala in connection with the alleged rape of a Catholic nun in riot-it Kandhamal in August.
Rajasthan's lifeline, tourism, in doldrums
Rajasthan is feeling the heat of global recession. Because when the going gets tough, the axe falls first on travel and holiday budgets.

Hindustan Times News Feeds 'India'

Two Al-Badr militants arrested in Kupwara
Two top militants of Pakistan-backed Al-Badr militant outfit were on Sunday arrested from Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir, a police spokesman said.
Curfew relaxed for 3 hour, situation peaceful
The district administration relaxed curfew for three hours in N Maharashtra's Dhule town, as the situation was under control and peaceful with no fresh incidents of arson reported.
Patil wishes speedy recovery to Big B
President Pratibha Patil wished a speedy recovery to megastar Amitabh Bachchan who was hospitalised after he complained of stomach ache.
Mumbai to have 'Omni' as taxis
The ubiquitous 'black and yellow' taxis in India's financial hub are set to be replaced with newer "Maruti Suzuki Omni' cars, with the first 200 such cabs scheduled to ply on city roads by the month-end.
E-mail threat to President Patil
An e-mail carrying a threat to target President Pratibha Patil during her on-going Pune visit, has been received by state authorities, an official said.
Amitabh Bachchan's condition stable
Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who was admitted to the Lilavati hospital in suburban Bandra yesterday after he complained of severe abdominal pain, is said to be responding well to the treatment. Wish your favourite superstar a speedy recovery | Surfers' Response

Subscribe to India RSS feed