Hands-on Assignment 1: Culture Mapping

For a visual presentation, please follow these simple instructions.

1. Visit http://popplet.com/ and click log in
2. Log in information:
Email : gurpreetkoonar@hotmail.com
Password: etec565
3. Click on Traditional Punjabi Engagement
4. Click on the tools symbol
5. Click on ViewPresentation Mode 2
6. Click play to begin the presentation (use arrow keys to navigate)
When one thinks of an Indian wedding there are several things that may
come to mind. Some of these include beautiful colors, lots of guests, Indian
sweets and food and the week long duration of the festivities. The week long
event s may appear to be astonishing given their length, but the traditional and
cultural values and various rituals which need to be performed on several
different days may offer an explanation of its length. One of the days is the
engagement ceremony which is typically the first event before the week of the
wedding. The engagement process for a couple in traditional Indian culture
varies drastically from Western culture. In this assignment I will provide a detailed
outline of a traditional Indian engagement ceremony.
How a Traditional Punjabi Engagement Occurs:
Step 1:
It all begins when a man and woman are involved in a serious relationship.
Step 2:
When the couple believes they are ready to reveal their relationship, both
individuals consult with their families. One cultural value which is very apparent
in Indian culture is the family bond. The respect and image of ones family is held
highly. Divorce is not socially accepted in Indian culture and as a result of the
cultures collectivist nature, the opinions of others matter. The initial step to
inform parents is very important as there is usually no turning back.
Step 3:
Both families arrange a time to meet in order to agree or disagree on the
relationship. Several factors are analyzed during this time in order to ensure that
their son/daughter will have a successful and secure future. These factors
include the occupation of the significant other and the social status of the

families which is assessed as the caste system is important in our culture. Ones
family history is also touched upon to ensure the man or womans future is not
hindered due to any anti-social actions of members of the other family which
may bring them shame. Lastly, the overall demeanour of the soon to be in-laws
is assessed, mainly respectfulness and openness during general conversation.

Step 4:
If the meeting is successful, an engagement date is set. The venue is booked
and the immediate family is notified. There are multiple variations to this ritual as
families may choose to celebrate at home, a banquet hall or a temple. During
this stage, preparations for the engagement begin and both families begin to
formulate guest lists.

Step 5:
There is a traditional ritual to exchange jewelry on the day of the event. In order
to prepare, the man must purchase an engagement ring for his fianc. As
generations have changed, most couples go ring shopping together so there is
more flexibility on preferences. For the man, the womans family purchases a
golden bracelet called a Kara. This piece of jewelry symbolizes restraint from evil
deeds. It is worn on the right hand as a reminder to never complete any evil
deeds with ones hands.
Step 6:
The Engagement Day
There are several expectations and traditions which are performed on the
engagement day. It is considered good luck to perform these traditions in order
for the couple to have a prosperous life together. These rituals are referred to as
shagun which means blessings. If these rituals are not performed, it is frowned
upon and considered bad luck. The main expectations during the ceremony
are respect for the families of the couple and elders. When the rituals are
performed, there is priority given to the elders to give shagun first. If this is done
wrong, the guests perceive a negative image of the familys values and beliefs.
Details of the ritual include:

1. Bride is either already w earing the sari or salv ar kameez that w as gifted by her inlaw s-to-be or she must change into it at this time.
2. She is seated in a chair that can be v iewed by all inv ited guests.
3. The grooms mother, sisters and sisters-in-law begin to adorn the bride
w ith jew elry, bangles, a bindi, hair clip or ribbon and sindoor and chunni.
4. The make-up does not need to be applied and is to be giv en as a gift, although
a v ery small amount of nail polish may be applied to one or tw o nails.
5. The chunni is the last item to adorn the bride. I t is placed on her head by the
grooms mother.
6. The grooms mother and father giv e the bride money and feed her a dried date
and traditional I ndian sw eets.
7. Other family members may then approach the bride and giv e their blessings.
Retrieved from: http://www.askauntyji.net/punjabi-engagement-ceremony/

After reflecting of these steps in detail, it emphasized the true meaning behind
this whole event , which is the family bond. These cultural values reflect a
collectivist attitude as family respect, loyalty and dignity are held in high
esteem. The steps of the engagement reflect these values as the family has a
significant role in the festivities. The engagement is not about the union of a man
and a woman but more so about two families joining and showing respect for
one another.
Iceberg Model
The iceberg model can be discussed as a way to understand Indian culture.
Visible behaviours which lie above include the fancy outfits and appearance of
the families on the engagement day. The lengthy traditions and customs w hich
are performed display that the man and woman respect the culture by
following traditional rituals. The invisible behaviours which lie below include the
personality styles, expectations and thought processes. It is believed that parents
know what is best for their children which is why the initial steps when families
meet are crucial to the later success of the couple. This tradition has been
passed down from generations and it continues to hav e an influence on Indian
couples and families today. A familys personality style or approach to these
types of events has a large impact on the rest of the man and womans life. If
one family has a different thought process than the other, feelings of disrespect
and uncertainty can occur which may lead to distance between the families.
The goal is to strengthen the family bond.
Geert Hofstedes Dimensions of Culture
According to Geert Hofstedes dimensions of culture, Indian culture is high in
masculinity and the culture values traditional male and female roles. For
example, men are expected to be the providers and to be in charge of the
household, whereas women are the caretakers and the followers. During the

engagement process women prepare food, invite guests, help others get ready,
and gather items for the shagun ceremony. Whereas, men make all the formal
arrangements by talking to the owners of the banquet hall, socialize with the
guests, and provide general oversight of the function. The engagement
ceremony is an important step in the man and womans life together which is
bound together by traditional Indian values. The values carried out to perform
the ceremony must be carefully executed in order to ensure the couple has a
successful future together.

Hi Gurpreet!
This is very creative: well done! I was wondering if you had any hints as
to how to view it (I havent used Popplet before and want to make sure I
am getting the correct order etc.) You have obviously put a lot of work
into it.
Thanks!
Colleen

Wallis Grant Sorensen said

Wednesday, January 22, 2014 6:45:47 PM PST

Great post! Your popplet presentation really illustrates the points of your topic and how they connect to the
iceberg model and Hofstedes Dimensions of Culture. It illustrates the various ways information can be
presented to appeal to different learning styles and preferences.
Grant