CHAPTER: 4 Learning Asia's

Society And Culture

 Social Structures
social structure, in sociology, the distinctive, stable
arrangement of institutions whereby human beings in a
society interact and live together. Social structure is often
treated together with the concept of social change, which
deals with the forces that change the social structure and the
organization of society.
Social Structures
Asian societies exhibit a wide range of social structures,
influenced by historical, religious, and economic factors.

Confucian hierarchy- countries like china, Japan and Korea

confucianism deeply influenced their social structures
it's a respect for elders and a strong sense of duty towards
family and country.
•
 Social Structures

Philippines- A society shaped by family, relationship, and

western influence.
The Philippines is characterized by strong family ties, with a
focus on extend families and a sense of shared responsibilities.

Thailand- a hierarchical society with a strong emphasis on

respect.
 Social Structures
Indonesia- a diverse archipelago with varied social
structures.

Singapore- a multi-ethnic society with a strong emphasis on

meritocracy.
 cultural values

• Collectivism
•Respect for Authority
•Family ties
• Face and shame
• religion
Extreme norms

• Arrange marriages
• Gender roles
• Superstition and taboos
• social pressure and con formity.
Living Goddess Kumari
Kumari, the living goddess, represents Taleju
Bhawani and is said to be the living
incarnation of the goddess herself. Legend
states that the ancient kings of Nepal were
devotees of goddess Taleju. Therefore, she
would often visit the palace to play games of
cards with the kings.
Kumari is a divine girl between 3 and 4 years old
who is thought to be the living incarnation of the
goddess Durga or Taleju Bhawani. The Sanskrit
meaning of the word "Kumari" is derived from the
word "Kaumarya,” which means “princess.”
The ritual of Kumari Pratha is widely practiced by
the people of the Kathmandu Valley. Kumari is
taken as the living goddess, and it is believed that
worshiping her will fulfill all desires. There is so
much uniqueness and strictness in the Kumari
Pratha that the Kumari Devi needs to be selected
from the Shakya Clan of the Newar Buddhist
community.
Life after being chosen as Kumari
After being chosen as a Kumari, she has to follow
different rules and regulations, like having to be a
serious-looking girl with very little body movement. She
is not allowed to touch the ground except in the place
she is worshiped, as she is considered the living
incarnation of the goddess, and the land is also
considered to be god. So, Kumari (as a goddess) is not
allowed to touch another god. Kumari Devi is carried by
the caretaker or in a palanquin.
KUMARI TEMPLE
The famous Kumari Temple is situated right
across the historical Gaddi Baithak Hall at
Basantapur in Kathmandu. Kumari Ghar, the
house of Living Goddess Kumari, is located on
the southern side of the Kathmandu Durbar
Square premises. Built by King Jaya Prakash
Malla in 1757, Kumari Ghar is an example of
Nepal’s magnificent architecture with its
intricate wood carvings of gods and various
symbols
 KUMARI TEMPLE
Kumari Temple, located in the picturesque town of Dakshinkali, is a significant Hindu
temple dedicated to the worship of the living goddess, known as Kumari. This sacred
site attracts numerous visitors, not just for its religious importance but also for its
architectural beauty and serene surroundings. The temple is situated in a tranquil area
that offers breathtaking views of the lush hills and valleys, making it a perfect spot for
reflection and spiritual connection As you approach the temple, you will be greeted by
vibrant rituals and the sounds of traditional music echoing through the air. Local
devotees often come to offer prayers and make offerings, creating a lively atmosphere
that is both welcoming and deeply spiritual. The temple is a unique representation of
the Kumari tradition in Nepal, where a young prepubescent girl is revered as the
goddess and is considered to embody the divine feminine energy. Visitors are
encouraged to observe the rituals respectfully, but photography may be restricted in
certain areas to maintain the sanctity of the temple.
Padaung Women, Thailand
The Padaung, commonly known as the
long-necked women, are refugees from
Myanmar (also known as Burma) who are
famous for their giraffe-like appearance,
which is caused by brass rings coiled
around their necks. Although it looks like
the coils thrust their necks upward, the
elongation is actually caused by the weight
of the rings crushing...their collarbones
down.
 Padaung Women, Thailand
The Padaung tribe is a subgroup of the larger Kayah
tribe, which in turn is a subgroup of the Karenni which
in turn is a subgroup of the Karen. The Padaung have no
written language and are best known for its long-necked
women. The tribe is named after the Padaung area,
where most of them live. There are about 10,000 people
in the tribe.
"Padaung" means "long neck" in the Shan anguage.
Their homes and villages are found scattered in the
area between the Kayah State, east of Taungoo and
Southern Shan State. Some inhabit the plains in the
basin of the Paunglaung River which are also part of
the Kayah State east of Pyinmana.
Bacha Posh: The Female Sons, Afghanistan
Bacha Posh is a cultural phenomenon where a young
girl is dressed and raised as a boy until she reaches a
marriageable age or puberty by a family with no sons
for the sake of a better future. This term considers to
be one of the cultural practices in Afghanistan, which
famously known as a Patriarchal country. Nadia
Hashimi's The Pearl That Broke Its Shell presents two
female characters that follow this tradition to survive
and get a proper life in the family. This research
depicts how the practice (Bacha Posh) is claimed to
save a daughter in a family from the perspective of
Patriarchy and its impact on the psychological side.
This phenomenon happens in Afghanistan in which
girls are dressed and raised as boys in order to get a
better life.
Bacha in Afghanistan’s heavily patriarchal, male-dominated
society, where women and girls are usually relegated to the
home, bacha posh, Dari for “dressed as a boy,” is the one
tradition allowing girls access to the freer male world.

Under the practice, a girl dresses, behaves and is treated as

a boy, with all the freedoms and obligations that entails.
The child can play sports, attend a madrassa, or religious
school, and, sometimes crucially for the family, work. But
there is a time limit: Once a bacha posh reaches puberty, she
is expected to revert to traditional girls’ gender roles. The
transition is not always easy.
 Life of a Sumo Wrestler, Japan
Sumo (相撲, sumō) is a Japanese style of wrestling and Japan's national sport.
It originated in ancient times as a performance to entertain the Shinto deities.
Many rituals with religious background, such as the symbolic purification of
the ring with salt, are still followed today. In line with tradition, only men
practice the sport professionally in Japan.

The rules are simple: the wrestler who first exits the ring or touches the ground
with any part of his body besides the soles of his feet loses. Matches take place
on an elevated ring (dohyo), which is made of clay and covered in a layer of
sand. A contest usually lasts only a few seconds, but in rare cases can take a
minute or more. There are no weight restrictions or classes in sumo, meaning
that wrestlers can easily find themselves matched off against someone many
times their size. As a result, weight gain is an essential part of sumo trainingo
was a good wrestler in his prime. There are currently 44 stables as of March
2021. Referees, ushers, and hairdressers called tokoyama also live in the
stables. The stablemaster is referred to as oyakata , and his wife, who is called
okamisan , plays an important supporting role behind the scenes.
 All sumo wrestlers are classified in a ranking
hierarchy (banzuke), which is updated after each
tournament based on the wrestlers' performance.
Wrestlers with positive records (more wins than
losses) move up the hierarchy, while those with
negative records get demoted. The top division is
called Makuuchi and the second division Juryo. At the
pinnacle of the sumo hierarchy stands the yokozuna
(grand champion). Unlike wrestlers in lower ranks, a
yokozuna cannot be demoted, but he will be expected
-Sumo wrestlers train hard from early in the
morning in the hope of raising their banzuke .

This ritual stamping called shiko improves their

lower body strength.

Another important exercise involves planting

their backside on the ground while they have
their knees extended, opening their legs 180
degrees, and leaning forward until their chest The matawari exercise (Japan Sumo
touches the ground. This exercise is called Association)
matawari .
Bride Kidnapping, Kyrgyzstan
There are many types of forced marriage in this world, but
perhaps the most dramatic is marriage by abduction, or bride
kidnapping.
Bride kidnapping is common in parts of sub-Saharan Africa, the
Caucasus and Central Asia. In rural Kyrgyzstan, where over 60%
of the country’s population lives, surveys suggests 1 in 3
marriages begins with a kidnapping.
There, bride kidnapping is known as “ala kachuu,” which
translates as “to take and run away.” It became illegal in 1994,
but the practice continues today, especially in rural areas.
 Bride Kidnapping, Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyz society, like societies in all the emerging states
in former Soviet Central Asia, is struggling with the
clash of “traditional” values and modernization. The
tradition of ala kachuu, or bride kidnapping, has
received a considerable amount of attention by both
Western and Kyrgyz scholars in recent years. Bride
Kidnapping in Kyrgyzstan opens this controversial
practice to direct scrutiny, revealing how young women
in rural areas are frequently pressured into marriages
they have not chosen.
 What is bride kidnapping?
Kyrgyzstan, a Central Asian country of 6.5 million, is one of the
world’s epicenters of marriage by abduction.
A typical bride kidnapping occurs in a public place. A group of young
men locates the young woman that one has chosen for his wife –
whom he may know, but perhaps not well – and carries her,
screaming and struggling, into a waiting car.
The kidnapping victim is taken to the groom’s family home, where the
women of the family attempt to talk her into consenting to the
marriage. At this stage, some victims are rescued by their father or
other male relatives. More often, though, having been kidnapped is so
shameful that the victim or her family agrees to marriage rather than
risk the stigma of being a “used” woman.
Sometimes, grooms use rape or other physical violence to coerce
women to consent to marriage – though that’s not the norm.