Importance Of Cultural Relativism Essay

Every country and tribe have their own culture, the differences can be seen through their religious and clothing habit. For example, women living in Muslim countries or practicing the religion of Islam with are required to cover themselves in hijab, a scarf that covers the head and neck, leaving their face uncovered. However, some people may see this as “weird” or even (stereotype)symbolizes them as terrorists, due to the rise of ISIS. This is all because people tend to see their own culture as the superior and standard one in the world. This is why cultural relativism is important. It refers to the idea that the values, knowledge, and behaviour of people must be understood within their own cultural context. The essay will explain that, why

Different culture has different rituals and practices; it is not possible for anyone to thoroughly understand every other culture in terms of their own. Therefore, we need to observe them through their eyes.?? Take the Balinese cock fighting as an example, it is a ritual among peasants. The rich, however, are despised by the practise and often harass them or call the police to clear up. Participants often received a stiff fine and their pets are confiscated. However this does not stop them from playing cock fight. Those who are not in the community could not understand why the Balinese are so persistent to keep this ritual. From their point of view, the loss outweighs the benefits a lot. What they do not understand is that the cock fight represents a fight between men. As anthropologist Clifford Geertz explains: “As much of America surfaces in a ball park, on a golf links, at a race track, or around a poker table, much of Bali surfaces in a cock ring. For it is only apparently cocks that are fighting there. Actually, it is men.” (Geertz, 2005) In other words, the cocks are (standing for)representing those Balinese men to fight, the one who win will receive recognition and attain prestige. From this point of view, seeing Balinese cock fighting in terms of their cultural code shows the dignity of Balinese men, thus we should respect their