The Cambridge Dictionary defines culture as “the way of life, especially the general customs and beliefs, of a particular group of people at a particular time.” It further describes it as “the attitudes, behaviour, opinions, etc. of a particular group of people within society.” These definitions capture an essential truth: culture is not static, nor is it confined to clothing, festivals, or food habits. It is a living force that reflects who we are, how we think, and the values we uphold.
Anthropologists say that culture is learned, not inherited. It is passed down from one generation to another through practices, habits, and collective memory. Sociologists say that culture is woven into our norms, institutions, and symbolic systems. Taken together, culture shapes the framework within which communities function and individuals find meaning.
This means that culture is not only about heritage or history. It also evolves through our choices, innovations, and responses to change. The rise of technology, education, and social movements constantly reshapes the way culture is understood and expressed.
If that is the case, then we must ask ourselves what our present culture say about us. It is easy to think of culture as a colorful festival or a musical performance, but culture is also evident when corruption is normalized, when nepotism thrives, and when dishonesty is tolerated. When backdoor entries to jobs are celebrated more than merit, when greed is admired while integrity is ignored, such patterns too become part of culture.
This is a sobering realization. Culture can uplift societies, but it can also corrode them. If vices are collectively accepted, they become woven into the very fabric of our way of life. And when culture itself is compromised, productivity, progress, and even morality suffer as byproducts.
True cultural preservation is not about wearing traditional attire once a year during Moatsü or Tsüngremmung, but about safeguarding values of honesty, justice, and responsibility. It is about passing down not just songs and dances, but principles that enable societies to thrive with dignity. Culture is both our mirror and our legacy. What it reflects today will shape what we pass on tomorrow.
