Ethnic culture

Ethnic and national culture are different concepts. The first enters into the structure of the second. In other words, the culture of a developed nation always includes an ethnic component - the culture of one or several nationalities that formed it (the nation). This component reflects the centuries-old experience of life and the rational arrangement and management of the economy in accordance with the given natural and climatic conditions.

Ethnic culture is manifested in the peculiarities of folklore, food, clothing, folk medicine and crafts and other spheres of life. To a greater extent, its features are preserved in the villages, rather than in cities. Ethnic culture is the most ancient cultural layer. It is she who carries all the traditions of her ancestors.

Ethnic culture is focused on preserving attachment to the past, endowed with continuity and conservatism. Some of its elements indicate the identity of the people. For example, such symbols include a sarafan and a samovar from Russians, spaghetti from Italians, a plaid skirt - from Scots, ghost stories and oat porridge - from the English. Similar features are present in the peoples of all countries.

At the same time, it should be noted that the national culture is not confined to the national culture . The latter is formed on the basis of education, writing and philosophy, science and art, literature, technological and socio-political development of the people. At the same time, comprehension of the national culture is carried out through self-education and education. Cognition requires special intellectual effort.

Ethnic culture, in turn, is the basis for development. It forms the national language, it becomes a source of literary subjects and images, architectural styles, musical rhythms. The traditions that have been built in it for centuries influence the uniqueness and uniqueness of the whole nation as a whole.

Together with this, while gravitating toward seclusion, adherence to the remnants of the past, ethnic culture often does not meet modern life norms. She does not know the changes, does not accept anything alien and unfamiliar, preserving its uniqueness. At the same time, the national culture is characterized by constant changes and innovations. It absorbs the achievements of other nations.

Such discrepancies in history spawned periods when there was practically a gap between the culturally developed educated stratum of the population and the "lower classes" - adherents of the ethnos. So, for example, in Russia in the 18-19 centuries between the common people (peasants) and noble nobility formed a real cultural abyss. Often a Russian nobleman could easily understand a foreigner, rather than his serf. Moreover, in the "supreme" society, almost all aristocrats, fluent in French, spoke Russian with great difficulty.

The genius of Russian literature (Pushkin, who managed to combine aristocratic education and a simple people's principle, other poets and writers) in his poetry, the Slavophils who passionately advocated the protection of the Russian ethnos-the national spirit, the intellectuals who were part of the people .

Today, many people talk about the need to revive the "primordially Russian culture". However, understanding the role and place of the ethnos, it becomes clear that this can lead to a decline in the cultural development of the nation as a whole. Of folk life, signs of antiquity, more and more often new technologies are included in rural life. Ethnic culture is increasingly being moved to museums.

Of course, it is necessary to know and study the national features inherent in one's nation. However, one must live in a modern culture.

National progress is not always regarded as solid acquisitions and victories. Together with the achievements there are contradictions and losses.