What is Cultural Pluralism?

1. CULTURAL PLURALISM
Culture is the knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, behavior, values, music, and arts of a particular
society. But according to Edward B. Tylor, culture is not only the knowledge, beliefs, attitudes,
etc., but also all the humans’ ability and capability in their society.
Cultural pluralism defines as a smaller groups within a larger society that maintain their
unique cultural identities, values, and practices that are accepted by the wider culture provided
they are consistent with the laws and values of the wider society. It is also refers to the different
groups in society keeping their distinctive culture while coexisting peacefully with the dominant
group. The two specified definitions of cultural pluralism only means that a small culture exists
within a larger culture that the small culture does not against by the law of the larger culture. The
larger culture accepted the small culture in a way that they add the small culture to their culture
peacefully. One example of cultural pluralism is the acceptance of Chinese calligraphy class in the
United States. In example, China is a cultural pluralist society where Chinese calligraphy originate
and this kind of culture was being accepted by the United States, that China refers to the small
culture and United States as the larger culture in the concepts of cultural pluralism. Another
examples, the acceptance of Indian yoga sessions in another country and the introduction of Latin
salsa dancing in different Asian countries.
The idea of cultural pluralism was first emerged in the 1910s and 1920s and became widely
popular in the 1940s. There was an issue about immigration and national identity in the United
States where Horace Kallen and Randolph Bourne first think and acknowledge the concept of
cultural pluralism while William James and John Dewey developed and popularize it.

2. Cultural pluralism is often confused with Multiculturalism. Both of them are accepted by
the larger culture, but one thing is that they are accepted in different way. Again in cultural
pluralism, smaller culture is being accepted by the larger culture where the larger culture add the
smaller culture as part of their culture peacefully. While in Multiculturalism, smaller culture is
accepted by the larger culture in a way that the larger culture only respects the smaller culture and
they not add it as part of their culture. Then, cultural pluralism and multiculturalism do have
different concepts.
Nowadays, the concept of cultural pluralism is being accepted all over the world and the
number of cultural pluralist country is increasing.
Cultural Pluralism in the World
Different Theories try to explain how immigrants were absorbed into American Society
A. United States
1. Melting pot
The melting pot is a metaphor for a heterogeneous society becoming more
homogeneous, the different elements "melting together" into a harmonious whole with a
common culture. It is particularly used to describe the assimilation of immigrants to the
United States. The melting-together metaphor was in use by the 1780s. The exact term
"melting pot" came into general usage in the United States after it was used as a metaphor
describing a fusion of nationalities, cultures and ethnicities in the 1908play of the same
name.

3. The desirability of assimilation and the
melting pot model has been reconsidered by
some proponents of multiculturalism, who
have suggested alternative metaphors to
describe the current American society, such
as a mosaic, salad bowl, or kaleidoscope, in
which different cultures mix, but remain
distinct in some aspects. Others argue that
cultural assimilation is important to the maintenance of national unity, and should be
promoted.
 Assimilation- giving up old language or customs to be accepted in a society
2. Salad Bowl
The salad bowl concept suggests that the integration of the many different cultures
of United States residents combine like a salad, as opposed to the more traditional notion
of a cultural melting pot.
In Canada this concept is more
commonly known as
the cultural mosaic. In the salad
bowl model, various American
cultures are juxtaposed — like
salad ingredients — but do not

4. merge into a single homogeneous culture. Each culture keeps its own distinct qualities.
This idea proposes a society of many individual, "pure" cultures in addition to the mixed
culture that is modern American culture, and the term has become more politically
correct than melting pot, since the latter suggests that ethnic groups may be unable to
preserve their cultures due to assimilation.
 Pluralism – groups do not always lose their characteristics.
B. Canada: A Pluralist Society
Cultural Mosaic
It can be said that Canada has always been a pluralist society; even before the arrival
of Europeans, many different cultural and linguistic Aboriginal groups inhabited the
country. European settlers added to this diversity, as did the many cultural groups that
immigrated to Canada on a large scale after the Second World War. From the beginning,

5. it has been difficult to define Canada based on its homogeneity or a national identity, since
diversity is what truly characterizes it.
The debate over Québec’s place in Canada in the 1960s led the government to make
an important change in legislation in 1971, and Canada became the first country in the
world to declare multiculturalism as a state policy. Multiculturalism goes hand in hand
with democracy, since the principles of equality and freedom characterize both. Pluralism
in Canada is rooted in laws, institutions and policies that promote the participation of all
people in society. Canada is not a cultural “melting pot”; people are encouraged to retain
their cultural, linguistic and religious heritage.
True pluralism and democracy remain as Canadian ideals, and more dialogue,
understanding and compromise will certainly be necessary for these values to become
stronger and unite Canadians of all cultural backgrounds. Nevertheless, Canada’s pluralism
remains an example and a source of inspiration for the rest of the world. In 2006, the Global
Centre for Pluralism was established in Ottawa because Canada is considered one of the
most successful pluralist societies in the world and it knows well how to manage its own
diversity.
A Hindu wedding procession
strolls along the Rideau River, with the
Parliament buildings in the background
(courtesy Corel Professional Photos).

6. C. Country of Serbia
 Multi-lingual sign outside the mayor’s office in Novi Sad, written in the four
official languages of the city: Serbian, Hungarian, Slovak, and Pannonian Rusyn.

7. PHILIPPINE CULTURE
Philippines is a country that contains different cultures and influences. Most of these
influences are results of previous colonization and derived mainly from the cultures of Spain and
the United States. Despite the visual Hispanic and Western influences, the older Asian aspects of
Filipino culture are seen through the way of life, beliefs and customs of the people.
The Philippines is one of the two predominantly Roman Catholic nations in Asia-Pacific,
the other being East Timor. Over 90% of the Philippine population are Christians, about 5% are
Muslims and the rest either practice other religions or practice no religion at all.
The early music of the Philippines featured a mixture of indigenous, Islamic and a variety
of Asian sounds. Spanish settlers and natives played a variety of musical instruments including,
guitar, ukulele, violin, trumpets and drums. They performed songs and dances to celebrate festive
occasions. Modern day Philippine music features several styles. Most music genres are
contemporary such as Filipino rock, hip hop and other musical styles. Philippine folk dances
include the Tinikling and Cariñosa.
The Nipa Hut or Bahay Kubo is the typical form of housing of the early Filipinos and until
now in remote areas. It is characterized by the use of simple materials such as bamboo and coconut
as the main sources of wood. The Spaniards introduced stones as housing and building materials.
Spanish architecture can be found in Intramuros, Vigan, Iloilo and other parts of the Philippines.
The Philippines is considered as the melting pot of Asia. Eating out is a favorite Filipino
pastime. A typical Pinoy diet consists at most of six meals a day. Rice is a staple in Filipino diet

8. and it is usually eaten together with other dishes. Filipinos regularly use spoons together with forks
and knives; some also eat with their hands. Popular dishes in the Philippines are adobo which is a
meat stew made from either pork or chicken; lumpia, a meat or vegetable roll; pancit or noodle;
and lechon or roasted pig. Some interesting delicacies are balut which is a boiled egg with a
fertilized duckling inside; and dinuguan which is a soup made from pork blood.
Traditional Filipino games include yo-yo, piko, patintero, bahay kubo, pusoy and sungka.
Popular sports in the Philippines include basketball, boxing, billiards, chess, volleyball, bowling,
horse racing and cockfighting.
The school year in the Philippine starts in June and ends in March, with two-month summer
break from April to May, two-week semestral break in October and Christmas’ and New Year’s
holidays. Philippine students enter school at about age four, starting from nursery and
kindergarten, followed by a six-year elementary education; four years in high school; and three to
five years in college or university.
PHILIPPINE SOCIETY
The locals of the Philippines are called Filipinos. Their primary ancestors are the Malays
who came from the southeastern Asian country or what is now called Indonesia. Before the
Europeans discovered the country, Filipinos have had connections with China that resulted to a
mixed Chinese-Filipino descent. Spanish-Filipinos came out during the colonial period and
Filipino-Americans added a few percentages as well during the American occupation. They are
easily distinguished by their fairer color, taller stature and fairly formed nose structure. A few

9. Arab and Indian blood added to the racial mixture of the Filinos during their trading years.
Aetas- the aboriginal group of the Philippines has a small percentage remained in the
composition of the country’s ethnic groups.
The Philippines is a combined society, both Singular and Plural in form. Singular as one
nation, but it is plural in that it is fragmented geographically and culturally. The nation is divided
between Christians, Muslims, and other religion-ethno-linguistic groups; between urban and
rural people; between upland and lowland people; and between the richand the poor. Although
different in a lot ways, the Filipinos are very hospitable and give appropriate respect to anybody
regardless of race, culture and belief.
Inside their mixed society, anyone who has not seen Filipinos will be surprised how
everyone differs from each other. Their looks, their cultural practices and beliefs show a truly
diverse blend of people and customs. Because of this inconsistent homogeneity of race,
the Filipinos naturally adapt and get influenced easily. They embraced the spirituality of the
Spanish during the colonial period and surpass it with the modernity of the Americans in the
recent years. Despite of these multifaceted customs and incongruous mixture of people, visitors,
however, find Filipinos enriched with uniqueness and variants.
The Filipino Cultural Awareness
• Bayanihan: the creation of association with neighbors and the helping atittude whenever one is
in disastrous need. Oftentimes, the Bayanihan spirit in action can be seen when a bus gets a flat

10. tire. The by standing or surrounding Filipinos would help the bus driver in whatever actions to
get the bus back on going.
• Close Family Ties: Filipinos are well-known for the close family ties. The primary social
welfare system for the Filipino is the family. Many filipinos live near their family for most of
their lives, even as independent adults.
• Pakikisama: Pakikisama, or harmony, in English, involves getting along with others to preserve
a harmonious relationship.
• Hiya: Hiya is shame and is a motivating factor behind behavior. It is a sense of social decency
and compliant to public norms of behavior. Filipinos believe they must live up to the accepted
standards of behavior and if they fail to do so they bring shame not only upon themselves, but
also upon their family. An example might be a willingness to spend more than they can afford on
a party rather than be shamed by their economic situation. If someone is publicly embarrassed,
criticized, or does not live up to expectations, they feel shame and lose self-esteem.
• Utang na Loob: Utang na Loob, or Debt of Gratitude, is owed by one to a person who has
helped him through the trials he had undergone. There is a local saying: 'Ang hindi lumingon sa
pinanggalingan ay hindi makararating sa paroroonan', meaning, 'One who does not look back to
where he started, will not get to where he is going'.
o Amor Propio: Concern for self-image.

11. o Delicadeza: Sense of honor
o Palabra de Honor: "word of honor"
Although these traits are generally positive, these practices also have the inclination to be applied
in the wrong context. A debt of gratitude is sometimes repaid by giving special favors to the
other person regardless of the moral outcome. Close familial ties can also lead to favoritism.
Folk Traditions and Beliefs
Before the coming of the Spaniards and the introducing of Roman Catholicism, the indigenous
inhabitants were believer of animism, or the worship of nature. As in Roman Catholicism, their
pre-Hispanic beliefs consisted of a hierarchy of gods, goddesses, and spirits which bear
similarity to that of Roman Catholicism, which is why the latter has been accepted easily by the
inhabitants. Bathala was the supreme God of the Tagalogs, symbolized by the araw, or sun. The
supreme God of the Bikolanos was Gugurang. Other Tagalog Gods and Goddesses include the
buwan or moon, tala or stars, and even objects, such as trees, shrubs, mountains, or rocks. The
spirits consist of aswang (ghoul), tikbalang (a man having the head of a horse), kapre (a giant
that is smoking tobacco), tiyanak (vampire feeding on children's blood), santelmo (fireball),
dwende (dwarves and elves), ik-ik (witches), and a lot of engkanto (minor spirits) and diwata
(fairies/nymphs). Aside from that, voodoo practices were practiced by the pre-colonial
inhabitants, such as pangkukulam, or witchcraft. Beliefs such as usog (a child greeted by a
stranger will get sick) and lihi (unusual craving for something during pregnancy) are also

12. present. These beliefs were carried on up to the present generation of Filipinos, which has
directed some foreign authors to describe them as 'Pagan-Christians'
Philippine Cultural Groups
The following are the twenty one largest ethnic groups in the Philippines.
 Cebuano (20,160,000; largest)
 Tagalog (13,928,000; second largest)
 Ilocano (9,527,000; 3rdlargest)
 Hiligaynon (8,068,000; 4thlargest)
 Central Bicolano (3,504,000; 5th largest)
 Waray (3,426,000; 6thlargest)
 Kapampangan (2,667,000; 7th largest)
 Albay Bicolano (2,155,000; 8th largest)
 Pangasinan (1,637,000; 9th largest)
 Malay (1,287,000; 10thlargest)
 Maranao (1,091,000; 11thlargest)
 Maguindanao (1,077,000; 12thlargest)
 Tausug (1,020,000; 13thlargest)
 Min Nan Chinese (922,000; 14thlargest)
 Masbateño (764,000; 15thlargest)

13.  Capiznon (724,000; 16thlargest)
 Ibanag (703,000; 17thlargest)
 Zamboangueño (662,914; 18th largest - Zamboanga City Alone)
 Aklanon (555,000; 19thlargest)
 Suriganon (485,000; 20thlargest)
 Kinaray-A (485,000; 21thlargest)
Advantages of Cultural Plurlism
A culturally pluralistic society is characterized by greater tolerance for groups that differ from the
dominant society, resilting in less prejudice and discrimination toward minorities. The view
diminishes ethnocentrism: the tendency of people to view divergent customs, people and beliefs
through the lens of their own culture and to make judgments based on those standards. Cultural
pluralism also promotes "intellectual dualism". In other words, it exposes, the voting public and
society's policymakers to multiple perspectives, which can improve critical thinking on decision
related to leading issues. Finally, if successful, cultural pluralism helps preserve the uniqie
traditions, identities and languages of the many cultures within a society.
Disadvantages of Cultural Pluralism
Some critics of cultural pluralism say it threatens to divide a nation's culture into more isolated
units and, if pursued vigorously, could produce a more entrenched "bunker mentality", defined in
Merriam-Webster as member of minority group being so sensitized to prejudice that they
become self-righteously intolerant of any type of criticism. Some critics of cultural pluralism

14. also fear the potential for cutural relativism - a condition where all ways of life, for example
plural marriage, are considered to be morally equal, even if one culture's accepted customs are
viewed as immoral by others.