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  Why do some cultural elements continue while others disappear? In the process of change, some cultural elements—customs and traditions—persist and some are left behind. Some practices are surprisingly resilient and persist through centuries, even millennia. This continuity might result from the fact that a particular practice or custom simply works really well. For example, some cultural traditions live on because they are important to a community’s identity and the members of that group have worked hard to keep that tradition alive. Traditions that are likely to disappear are those that are either no longer necessary or are no longer relevant to peoples’ lives. Oftentimes anthropologists observe that cultural continuity—the continuation of some elements or traditions—actually goes hand in hand with changes that involve a blend of older and newer ideas and approaches to the common concerns of life. Continue to Why and how do scientists classify culture? >> back >> |
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