#1
LET’S READ!
All around the world, different people live in different cultures. Our culture is made up of various social constructs that guide the way we think about relating with others and how we express ourselves in things like art and music. Another important part of culture is tradition; cultures often honor their ancestors or the past of their part of the world through things like holidays and annual celebrations. Today, we’re going to zoom in on one of these cultures: Eastern culture!
Eastern culture spans the regions of East Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa. Of course, there are smaller sub-cultures within Eastern culture. Many things set Eastern culture apart from other cultures; they have their own unique approaches to things like religion, politics, and medicine. This culture is also sometimes referred to as Oriental culture because it is of the “orient” (the east) and not of the “occident” (the west).
Let’s explore this culture and all its unique differences!
LET’S TALK!
1. In a few words, tell your child about your own culture. What belief systems and ideologies do you hold dear? How does your culture navigate the world?
2. Have you ever visited the parts of the world in this culture? If not, do you want to?
3. Tell your child one thing you know about Eastern culture. (If you don’t know anything, make a guess! What do you think might be a part of this culture?)
#2
LET’S READ!
Eastern medicine is well-known for being pretty different from Western medicine. In places like the U.S., doctors tend to look at the body as separate parts rather than treat it holistically. They also separate the body from the brain and see them as different parts. Eastern medicine, on the other hand, treats things much more holistically and naturally. Eastern cultures are much more likely to prescribe things like meditation, acupuncture, cupping, and herbal remedies rather than Western culture’s medicine and surgeries.
As for Eastern politics, they also differ quite a bit from politics around the world! There are many different political systems in the East; each continent and country has their own way of governing. The biggest difference is that these governments aren’t democratic. Leaders and laws aren’t chosen by the people. In fact, the rights of the citizens in Eastern countries are very often endangered by political happenings.
LET’S TALK!
1. Have you ever participated in an Eastern method of treating an illness such as meditation or acupuncture? Tell your child about the experience. And if you haven’t, tell them whether or not you’d want to!
2. What do you think the best part of living in the Eastern culture would be?
3. What’s the political system like where you live? How is it different from the politics in the East, and how do you feel about those differences?
#3
LET’S READ!
We’ve talked about medicine and politics, but what are the religions and the arts like in Eastern cultures? We’re glad you asked!
Eastern religions include Buddhism, Hinduism, Confucianism, and Sikhism.
Buddhists believe that suffering and pain come along with life, and the way to relieve their impact and achieve enlightenment is by meditating and becoming one with the world around them.
Hinduism honors a few key thoughts. The first one is samsara, the cycle of life, death, and reincarnation. The second is karma, the universal law of cause and effect (what goes around comes around). And finally, they believe in “atman:” people having souls.
Confucianists believe it’s crucial to have a good moral character. They believe in cosmic harmony, the idea that achieving good character in yourself will lead to peace in the world around you. Each Confucianist strives to be benevolent toward others, to cultivate a general sense of what is right and to do what is right, and to be loyal and diligent in service to their superiors.
Finally, Sikhism preaches love and devotion to God at all times and equality for everyone, and it denounces superstition.
As you can see, Oriental religions are different from those you might be used to, but they’re also similar in some ways!
LET’S TALK!
1. Which Eastern religion we just talked about is your favorite and why?
2. What do you think the worst part of living in the Eastern culture would be?
3. Is there anything you’ve learned about Eastern culture so far that you want to incorporate into your own life?
#4
LET’S READ!
One much-loved part of Eastern culture is the cuisine. One great dish is the donner kebab, which is a kind of shawarma. It has chicken, lamb, and beef layered onto a kebab. The meat is cooked slowly and delicately, and it tastes great!
Another food people like is falafel. This vegan patty is made from beans! It’s usually fried in oil and served with tartar sauce, tomatoes, radish, and parsley atop delicious pita bread. Some countries serve this dish differently, but it’s always a favorite!
In China, they like to blanch duck in hot water or oil, then let it dry over the next couple of days so the fat tightens. Then, they roast the duck in wood-fired ovens until it becomes deliciously crispy! This is called peking duck, and many love it.
In East and Central Asian countries like Kazakhstan and Turkey, manti is a popular dish. Manti are essentially giant ravioli. They’re filled with chopped dough, lamb fat, and onions, and sometimes people also add pumpkin, potatoes, and herbs. The manti are then steamed and served. They’re very tasty!
LET’S TALK!
1. Do you enjoy Eastern food? Why or why not?
2. Tell your child what you know about Eastern art, music, and films. How are they different from the ones you’re used to?
3. What’s your favorite fact from today’s Talk Time about Eastern culture?
VOCABULARY WORDS:
Eastern, culture, Asia, Africa, Middle East, Oriental, medicine, natural, herbs, acupuncture, meditation, religion, Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism, Confucianism, food, religion, music, art, beliefs, geography
ACTIVITIES:
• With your child, print out a world map and color in the Eastern countries. (You can print one with or without labels.) As you do this, talk to them about how far away these countries are from yours. You can also label and talk about the seas and countries you would have to cross to get to the East!
• Try out some Eastern food! Visit a nearby restaurant that serves food from the countries we’ve talked about today, or make easy falafel here.
• Pretend acupuncture! Cut out little strips of paper and put tape on the end of each one. Then take turns with your child putting the “needles” in each other’s skin! When you’re done, take pictures of how crazy you both look.
• Try out an Eastern religion! Is there a Sikh or Buddhist church near you? If you’re up for it, take some time to attend and check it out!
RESOURCES:
1. Me or We? Cultural Difference Between East and West (YouTube Video)
2. Cultures of the World (YouTube Video)
3. Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed (Nancy Paulsen Books, 2020)
4. Yalda Night Celebration (My Persian Family) by Anahita Tamaddon (Independently Published, 2022)
5. Dim Sum for Everyone! by Grace Lim (Dragonfly Books, 2003)
