Defining Culture: A Dialogue on Ideas, Customs, and Society

Culture is often spoken about but rarely unpacked in depth. In this post, we share an artefact by Mthulisi Inacio Khumbula alongside a thoughtful response from Mai Vusa. Together, they explore culture as both concept and lived experience.

Original Post: Defining Culture

I am of the view that many of us have a shallow understanding of what culture means, or what it means to be cultural. In this piece, I dig into what this term means, starting with the vocabulary and then tying it into the soul of this part of human existence – a much more abstract exploration.
An important note before we begin: Rwendo’s scope covers Africa as a whole, however, as one can probably imagine, that is a mammoth task in and of itself. I would like to achieve sufficient depth with each artefact I create, as opposed to shallow dabbling in a broad set of topics. This piece is somehow both of those things: deep yet broad. Deep because we dissect the literal meaning of culture, truly capturing the essence of what it entails, and broad as this analysis is one that applies to each and every society on the continent. It goes without saying then, that my objective with this piece is to add depth and substance to our understanding of culture, starting from a conceptual point of view. This sets the scene for ensuing discussions, where the scope will be further outlined. Alright then… shall we?

What is Culture?
Culture encompasses the ideas, customs and social behaviour of a particular people or society.
It is not sufficient to merely accept the above definition as it is. There is an entire world to be discovered once we begin to probe. My curiosity naturally leads me to ask “why” repeatedly, until I am satisfied with the result I get. This process is the antidote to some of the hollow definitions I have received in conversation with peers. You will have observed the words in bold letters in the phrase highlighted in pale blue. These are the words that I believe are key, or fundamental, to our discussion. Understanding them fully will, in turn, better our overall understanding of culture. We begin with the word:

Idea(s)

The first thing to understand about ideas is that they are rooted in feelings and not fact. This is not to say they are less relevant than what is ‘known’ but it does provide an important foundation. Ideas are similar to beliefs and/or opinions, both of which are feelings of certainty that something exists, is true, or is good. These ‘feelings’ are emotions, and emotions – which form of part of a person’s character – are not the same as one’s thoughts. The key differentiator being that we can form thoughts and alter them as we please. They involve cognition, whereas emotion can only be felt. One’s character consists of all the qualities they have that make them distinct from other people – and we all are complex cocktails made up of a plethora of known and unknown ingredients. Emotions can be caused by the situation that someone is in, or the people they are with. Going further, a situation refers generally to what is happening in a particular place at a particular time or refers to what is happening to someone. These words all have multiple interpretations. For instance, ‘place’ could refer to a region on the continent (north, south, east, or west) and it could also refer to a specific part of a given country. ‘Time’ could refer to a point in history (the 1800s, 1400s, or the 21st century) and it could also refer to the time of year (summer or winter – rainy season or dry).
What we have when we zoom out, is a multi-layered understanding of what an idea truly is. There is what is innate, devoid of any outer influence (people or places), then there is what is either based on our environment or put differently: how our environment affects or informs what we already thought or felt. Ideas, then, are merely reflections of the interaction between our soul and our environment. They are not to be confused with, or taken as the truth, immediately, at least. As I have said in the past: it is either momentary or a hint at something true. Each idea is unique and is constructed from that cocktail I mentioned earlier… the one that is unique to each and every one of us.

Points to Ponder:

• What ideas do you think are central to, or underpin, certain fundamental parts of your culture?
• How do you think ideas influence our understanding of culture?

Customs

Please do not think of border control or immigration offices when I use the term customs haha! I will tell myself that at least one person laughed at that one. Anyways, something that is custom is a traditional and widely accepted way of behaving or doing something that is specific to a particular society, place or time. It is important to pry open the word “traditional” – a word which I have come to realize is thrown around loosely, especially by men. Traditional simply refers to beliefs or ways of doing things that have existed for a long time without changing. It does not provide any grounds for correctness or morality (i.e. what is right or wrong). It simply entails time and ‘things’ remaining unchanged – or permanence.

The second part of the definition refers to what is ‘widely accepted’. Again, it is interesting to link this to the idea of morality or correctness. Who is to determine what ‘widely accepted’ means? Does it mean anything above 50% of a given group of people? Well, children are typically excluded from voting, so that number shrinks. Another question could analyse the extent to which women are allowed to participate in certain discussions. Even amongst men, do all men have an equal voice or only those from a certain ancestral line or those with considerable resources? The point here is that it is subjective, and this is something that adds to the complexity and nuance (subtle difference or distinction in expression, meaning, or response) of the term in question.

There is similarity, between the definition of idea(s) and custom(s). Both of these words have their scope defined via reference to people, place and time. I would then say that customs are ways of behaving – doing and saying things – that have remained unchanged over many generations, and that have their roots (beginnings) in people, place(s) and time. When the words ‘idea’ and ‘custom’ are brought together, we start to see that culture touches all the parts of a person: ideas relating to the intangible (the mind, heart and soul), and customs relating to the physical, manifest through actions and words (how we say and do things).
Another question for you to reflect on:

• Must customs remain static, as defined by the word ‘traditional’ or must they evolve?
• If they must, why, and how should they evolve?
• And, what happens with the ‘old’ way of doing things?

Social

Before diving into the meaning of social, I observed that this word – or concept – blends the previous two and encompasses how individuals relate to one another on two levels: ideas and behaviour. Society is then the sum product of ideas and customs. I was intrigued by the definition of the word social. The first thought that may enter people’s minds is that social obviously refers to something to do with people – which is correct, but it also entails how society is organized. Many people move with the wind, or with the times, and are not conscious of the bigger picture. Some believe that ‘things are just the way they are’, and this is not true. Society, or groups of people, are structured in many different and complex ways.
Importantly, society is an interdependent organism – wherein everyone plays a part in some way, whether they know it or not. There is an order to the ‘madness’. This order is implemented explicitly and implicitly through principles, procedures, precepts or rules. The last two words of the preceding sentence best capture the essence of how society is organized or structured. Precepts are general rules that help one decide how to behave in particular circumstances – emphasis on general. Whereas, rules are instructions that tell one what they are allowed to do (and in some instances, say) and what they are not allowed to do (or say) – emphasis on instructions. It is on these grounds that the law is built, ideas concerning morality and creating a kind of moral code through which society can function. But don’t take it from me, I’m no lawyer.

Leaving the definitions alone, carrying out this exercise transforms my understanding of the word social, or society. Instead of merely seeing people, I instead think of what implicit guidelines someone (or some people) may have followed in pursuing a particular course of action. This is especially true in matters where precepts, which are suggestive in nature, apply. Life as it is has many mysteries, and the older I get, the more I realize that everyone is just trying their best. There are few things which majority of people can agree on – and maybe even this statement is one that many will object to, but society has many ‘grey areas’. What’s the point? I’ll present it as a question: In a situation where individuality (differentiation/uniqueness) is encouraged, how does a society agree on the best way to operate, especially where there are established precepts and clear rules? In today’s everchanging world, where rapid innovation is seemingly becoming the norm, how will societies evolve?

This experience, for me at least, has felt like drilling kilometres deep into the earth, and now we are climbing back to the surface, where there is light. Or perhaps, it has been like a long and arduous hike, and now we are at the summit. A point from which we can see a view which was non-existent to us before we embarked on the journey. I want you to take the three words analysed [ideas, customs, and social] and bring them together. Having defined each of them in depth, let us once again read the definition of culture:
Culture encompasses the ideas, customs and social behaviour of a particular people or society.

There is a quote that says: the journey is the destination. If you were looking for a fitting conclusion to this… essay or whatever it is, I am afraid I don’t have one for you. Let this artefact serve as a point of reflection; let it spark conversation; let it ignite curiosity. And maybe that can lead to some good.

And one last question: what does culture mean to you?

Thank you for your time!

Mthulisi Inacio Khumbula Monday, 27 October 2025

Response: Understanding Culture — Concept and Lived Experience

10/28/2025
Hi Mtulisi,
Thank you for your deep dive into these thought-provoking landscapes. Your reflections resonate deeply with my own journey — one I share through my website, where I explore my search for truth, identity, and belonging. It has been a complex path of discovery shaped by both personal and communal experience.
https://www.fishersecotourism.com/
To answer a few points you make, here are some of my thoughts incorporating the ideas on my website.

Culture is far richer and more complex than the surface level definitions we usually encounter; it is as multifaceted as the intricate octopus, whose intelligence and adaptability have inspired my own perspective. In the search for meaning and truth, especially during moments of personal and national crisis, culture emerges not simply in academic terms, but in the everyday choices, relationships, and survival strategies of ordinary people.

Understanding Culture: Concept and Lived Experience
At its core, culture encompasses the ideas, customs, and social behavior unique to a people or society. The journey to understanding it begins with questions, sometimes met with silence or simple answers like “It is what it is”….but each layer peeled back reveals how complex and evolving these concepts truly are.

Ideas: The Emotional and Intellectual Roots
Ideas are not mere facts or inherited certainties, they are shaped by our emotions, our history, and our living context. During Zimbabwe’s economic collapse, when the routines of daily life were upended, new ways to survive emerged through creativity, community, and exchange. The search for truth about one’s lineage, spirituality, or place in society does not always return clear answers, but it fosters resilience and innovation.

Customs: Adaptability and Tradition
Customs, seen in the way market communities organize their mornings or how barter systems replace cash in times of scarcity, reveal tradition’s true nature, not as something rigid, but as living practice that adjusts to need. In Domboshava, adapting from city life to village rhythms meant embracing customs rooted not just in history but in response to present realities: sharing rides, trading clothes, gathering around food and stories.

Social: The Structure and Substance
Culture’s social aspect is found in the quiet strength and dignity of women walking miles to market, in the absence of complaint, and in the mutual support that arises even when resources are scarce. Societies are built from countless small exchanges, both material and intangible: laughter during a car ride, shared meals of sadza and garden herbs, and generosity that bridges environments and backgrounds.

The Octopus Analogy
Much like the octopus, whose intelligence lies in both its adaptability and the directness with which it interacts with its environment, culture is both deep and broad, constructed from ideas, customs, and social structures that respond dynamically to change. My story about Domboshava is both an exploration and an example: personal questions about
istory and belonging, transformed by adversity into creative community action.

Reflection and Invitation
Culture cannot be reduced to a singular definition; it demands ongoing engagement,
critique, and reflection. Let the lived experience in Domboshava, paired with the abstract journey of questioning and understanding, serve as a starting point for deeper dialogue. If the journey is the destination, then every step, every conversation, every meal, every act of
kindness adds substance and meaning to the cultural landscape we all share.

What does culture mean to you? How do your own ideas and experiences inform the customs and social structures that shape your life?

Mai Vusa

About Mthulisi