Culture Lifestyles East Southeast Asia 27

Culture & Lifestyles East & Southeast Asia (27. 3 & 30. 3)

Language • Major languages: – Tibetan, Chinese, Japanese, Korean – Han Chinese • Mandarin is official lang. , Cantonese 2 nd • Ideograms instead of letters (stand alone or combination = diff. meaning. ~6, 000 for everyday use) • *Pitch and tone are impt. • Lang families: – Malayo-Polynesian, Sino-Tibetan, Mon. Khmer (100 s of diff. languages) – Blends with migrant/colonizing nations • Philippines= Filipino, English, & Spanish • Vietnam= Vietnamese, Chinese, French, Eng.

Language • Japan’s has been more isolated than Korea’s – Ties to Korea & Mong. – Both writing systems based on Chinese (kanji- 2, 000 for everyday use) • Trade also has impact – Singapore= Chinese, Tamil, Malay, English – English often lang. of business/daily life

Religion • Buddhism, Christianity, • Nearly all of world’s Islam all here religions found here – Some also prac. local religion (Shintoism, Shamanism in Japan) • Confucianism & Daoism are philosophies practiced like religions – Buddhism & Islam are top – Roman Catholic, Hinduism, Confucianism & Daoism as well – Vietnam blends rel. together to make their own

Religion • Religion discouraged by communist govn’ts – Persecute Buddhist monks/lamas – Oppression on Buddhist population – Exiled Dalai Lama – People must worship/ hold on to faiths almost in secret • With fall of USSR, Mongolia moved to democracy, now worships freely

Religion • Confucianism: 551 -479 BC – Confucius lived during social upheaval frustrated with govn’t – Created social & ethical philosophy • All relationships involve defined roles & mutual obligations • Valued order, continuity, social cohesion above personal gain • Education is key in position in society (wisdom & desire for learning define ideal leaders)

Religion • Confucianism cont’d – Ethical/ Virtue based • Ruler accountable for ppl (drought, war) – Loses Mandate of Heaven • Respect elders, loyalty to govn’t, keep one’s place in society • Inner part: treat each other with love, respect, and consideration for the needs of all

Religion • Taoism (Daoism): 604 -531 BC – Founded by Laozi* • means “The Way” – Oneness w/ humanity & nature – Values simplicity, spontaneity, tranquility • Against competition & possession • Best govn’t was the least govn’t – Yin/Yang: balance of opposing forces • yin- feminine, passive, moon, water, clouds • yang- masculine, active, sun, fire, dragons

Religion • Shamanism: – Faith in leaders with powers to heal the sick and speak with spirits – Lessened with Confucianism, still practiced in SK, Tibet, N. China • Shintoism: (form of Shamanism) – Japan’s former state religion – Polytheistic, animism (nature spirits- kami) – Emphasis on this world, not preparing for after-life – Many shrines, collection of rituals to connect human life with nature

The Arts • Greatly inspired by • religions • Communists tried to erase, but was revived • • Poetry- harmony of humans w/ nature – The Tale of Genji (Japan) • – Haikus (Japan) Wat in Phnom Penh Adapted from Indian & Chinese styles, and religions See both pagodas and Indian wats Major urban areas too – Golden Triangle (KLCC)

The Arts • Music typically of wind, string, and percussion instruments • Kabuki vs. Noh drama • Calligraphy • Origami • Fine china (dishes) • Pagodas– Curved tile roofs shakuhachi

The Arts • Lacquerware & batik – Time & dedication Kuala Lumpur (KLCC) • Arjunavivaha is modified from Mahabarata (fits SE Asia) • Legong is dance of Bali to reenact Ramayana • Leng Trot= rain dance in Cambodia

The Arts • Foot binding: 900 s to early 1900 s – Desire to have small, slender feet • Golden Lotus (size), Lotus Gait (style of walk) – Many outlawed it (Communists, Manchus) • End up being a sore spot b/w Han & Manchu – Almost 100% of wealthy had it done (at young age) – Can cause infections, gangrene; but some can still walk, work, even dance

Living Conditions • Late 1900 s brought economic recovery – Taiwan, Japan*, S. Korea best off (still have gaps b/w classes) • Japan saw downturn in late 90 s huge layoffs, bankrupt companies ppl scared to spend bad for housing industry • Less focus on job security for wkrs, more on profit – China has one lowest GDPs (esp. in rural areas) • Deng Xiaoping began allowing free enterprise, foreign investment flooded into SEZs

SEZs in China

Living Conditions • Lots of $ spent on education • Singapore’s GDP comparable to US – Free elementary for – Others are much lower most • Lit. rates are rising, – Very high lit. rates in (J, but vary in each SK, T, & NK) country (Thailand is – China’s Cult. Rev. highest @ 95, Laos slowed growth lowest @ 57) – SK and Taiwan push educ. more than most

Living Conditions • Life exp. around 70 -74 • Communist govn’ts pay for health care – No longer promised in China (widening gap) • Mixture of Western & Eastern meds (herbal, acupuncture) • Health care varies widely (Singapore highest @ 78, Laos lowest @ 52) • Rapid urban growth (high -rises, housing projects) – Still many live in sm. villages – longhouses

Living Conditions • Diet: lots of staples (rice, wheat), vegetables, and fish – Beef, chicken, dairy just now becoming popular • Martial arts, table tennis, gymnastics, swimming (Olympics) • Various New Year’s (lunar, not solar) • Diet: raise themselves, many spices/sauces added – Curry, coconut milk • Chinlon (Myan. ), silat (Indo. ), kickboxing (Thai. ) • Lunar New Year’s too – Vietnam = Tet