Awareness Of Socio-cultural

Aspects Of Ethnic Groups

Aspects:
Race
Structure of society / social cultural
Beliefs
Language
Custom and rituals
Gender

Race
Social integration:

A process of uniting different races by minimizing the

differences among races.
Unite the different races by accepting their way of life the way
they are and
Avoid prejudice, stereotyping and discrimination.
Involve acculturation : a changes in own culture by adapt and
adopt the cultures of other races e.g. language.

Race
Assimilation:

Divided into two:

Culture assimilation: a process where by the minority group learns
the culture of the majority group in order to practice in daily life.
e.g. : language Malay language
Structure assimilation: The minority group is being able to join the
main institution and social activity of the dominant group.

Race
Amalgamation : uniting the different races in

biological form.
Through mix marriage

Language
Is a tool of communication.
Forms of language:

Written form
Verbal
Non verbal gestures

Functions of language:

General function: a tool of communication, a tool of integration and

social adaptation.
Specific function: social interaction, work of art and knowledge
exploration.

Language
Malay Language:
National language a tool in uniting the different
races in Malaysia.
Official language
According to Education Act 1996, Malay language is
used in Malaysia educational system.
A compulsory subject in national school.

Language
How the teaching and learning process of Malay language is
done in non-Malay group?
Teachers have to use varies pedagogy methods in order to
achieve the goal of a lesson.
Teachers can use students culture and language as teaching
materials.
Teaches have to get to know students background, culture,
strengths and weaknesses, and interest in order to deliver a
lesson effectively.

Structure of Society / Social Class

Is an organization of basic social elements in society

group, social class, value, norm, and social institution.

Different social class has different identity and ways of
life.
Two ways in analyzing social structure:

Social stratification: Caste, education, wealth, and age.

Social differences: races, group, types of family, religion.

Structure of Society / Social Class

It not permanent dynamic.

e.g. education level : master to PHD.

Social mobility: a changes of social class from one
class to another class.
Status:

The most important element in social stratification.

Def.: the position of a person in social structure.
Can be gained in three ways:

Ascribed status: since born e.g. aristocrat

Assigned status: due to good deeds that have been done e.g. Kanang
Achieved status: based on performance e.g. Dato, Tan Sri

Gender
It is a term used to make distinction between male and female
sex -biological difference, while gender- social interaction and culture.
can be changed over learning process. For instance, female need to stay

indoor while the male going out for working.

In certain society, priority is given to the son of the family because they
ensure the continuity of the generation - Chinese society (inherit their
ancestors name). Daughters of the family will belong to their husbands
family

Beliefs
Generally, it means believing certain things.

Normally, someone who believe on certain things

have the intuition feeling about that thing.
In psychological context, beliefs means the souls
condition which related with propositional attitude.
Meanwhile in the religion context, it means a part of
basic moral building.

Hindu- karma and caste

Buddhism- empat kebenaran yang mulia

principle and jalan lapan lapis

Confucianism- humanity
Certain ethnics- animism and
worshipping
Passed on from generation to generation
Exposure on other societys beliefs can
avoid any misunderstanding

CUSTOM AND RITUALS

According to Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary,

custom is an accepted way of behaving or of doing

things in a society or a community.
While rituals is a series of actions that are always
performed in the same way, especially as part of a
religious ceremony.
According to John J.Macion in his Sociology 12th ed.
book, rituals is formal and ceremonial behaviour.

Malay Custom and Ritual

They are famous with their polite attitude.

Custom and rituals are influenced by the

environment.
Normally, these custom and rituals are inherited frm
the older generations.
Malay proverb once say Biar mati anak jangan mati
adat

 Muslim greet each other with the salam (an

Islamic form of greeting) which consists of the

words Assalamu'alaikum (Peace be upon you).
A Muslim acknowledges the greeting with
Wa'alaikumsalam (Upon you be peace too).
When the Malays offer the salam, they will
touch each other's right hand.
The touch is a light clasp not amounting to a
handshake.
This is immediately followed by the movement of
the hand towards the heart to signify the
greeting is heartfelt.
However, opposite sex of Muslim cannot shake
hand with each other.

All animals must be slaughtered by a Muslim

according to the Islamic rites, called Halal.

Pork in any form is not allowed.
Amphibious animals such as snakes, frogs,
crocodiles and birds of prey are also
prohibited food.
Intoxicating drinks are not allowed.
Prayer time: 1.05 in the afternoon which is
called the Zuhur and 4.13 in the evening
which is known as the Asar, next at 7.08 in
the night known as the Maghribh and lastly
8.17pm which is the Isyak.

Chinese Custom and Ritual

Their custom and rituals are very unique.
It is influenced by the environment and normally

dependent on their fate.

Fortune Teller birth, marriage and death.

During Pregnancy and After Giving Birth

Purpose: to protect the baby from miscarriage,

retarded and death.

Taboo:
1. Do not allowed to do the dangerous works.
2. Do not allowed to kill the animal.
During pregnancy stage, the responsibility is on
mother in law not the husband

In Chinese society, naming the babies

also important.
In naming, they must have five element:
1. Gold
2. Water
3. Fire
4. Earth
5. Woods

Indian Custom and Rituals

More less same with malay society
Indian have many caste. Such as Malayalam,Tamil

and etc

Adat Valaikaappu
Happen during first pregnancy
Time: 7 month- 9 month of pregnancy
The women have been given a bracelet.
Date and Times: Good Day according to Indian

Calender
Place: husbands or parents house.
Present given to the women is called CIIR
The present includes jewellery, saree, bracelet,
kumkum powder, and etc.

During birth
The time of birth is very important. They record

accurately to determine the star of the baby

according to Almanak Hindu
Gayathri Mantiram is the spell that cast by the sami
before remove the umbilical cord

When the mother and baby going back, they will

have their own room.

The cleanliness of the room is very important.
16th day: giving names to the baby.