Cultural practice

Cultural practice generally refers to the manifestation of a culture or sub-culture, especially in regard to the traditional and customary practices
of a particular ethnic or other cultural group. In the broadest sense, this term can apply to any person manifesting any aspect of any culture at
any time. However, in practical usage it often refers to the traditional practices developed within specific ethnic cultures, especially those
aspects of culture that have been practiced since ancient times.

The term is gaining in importance due to the increased controversy over "rights of cultural practice", which are protected in many jurisdictions
for indigenous peoples[1] and sometimes ethnic minorities. It is also a major component of the field of cultural studies, and is a primary focus of
international works such as the United Nations declaration of the rights of indigenous Peoples.[2]

Cultural practice is also a subject of discussion in questions of cultural survival.[3] If an ethnic group retains its formal ethnic identity but loses its
core cultural practices or the knowledge, resources, or ability to continue them, questions arise as to whether the culture is able to actually
survive at all. International bodies such as the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues continually work on these issues, which
are increasingly at the forefront of globalization questions.[4]

A hungry Hindu man will let himself starve rather than slaughter and eat a cow, despite the fact that there are old cows roaming all over his
village, blocking the streets for cars to pass. To the average adult American man, who eats over 50 pounds of beef each year, this seems illogical.
If you have been hungry for months, then you should eat the cow! There are old cows roaming all over India, no one else owns the cows, and
you know how to slaughter a cow! What's stopping the Hindu man from killing the cow?

Sacred Cows Blocking Traffic

Sacred Cow in India

The answer to that question is simple, if you understand his cultural values. The Hindus, who make up over 80% of India's population, believe
that cows are sacred and should not be slaughtered. From the outside, a group's cultural values are often difficult to understand. For members
inside the group, cultural values are the core principles and ideals upon which the entire community exists.

Values, Customs, and Culture

While the terms 'culture,' 'values,' and 'customs' are often used interchangeably, each is actually a distinct piece of the bigger picture. A custom
is a ritual or other tradition that is an outward sign of the group's cultural values. The group's values aren't always obvious right away - they run
deep! Cultural values can be pieced together by observing the various customs that the people have passed down for generations. Culture is
defined as all of a group's guiding values and outward signs and symbols taken together as one big whole.

In our example, the cultural value that the Hindu man believes is to respect your ancestors and your gods. One of the customs that acts as an
outward sign of this value is to allow cows to have a natural death, rather than slaughtering them. This custom, taken with all of the other
customs that his community practices, represents a larger picture of Hindu culture