Cultural Markers are certain facets of our society that can indicate some of our cultural norms that may only be understood by that culture. These cultural markers are used extensively in many aspects of our lives such as advertising to target or reach out to a specific group or population of people. One of the best examples of cultural markers is Mcdonalds Ads or - to be more specific - the diversity that can be observed in Mcdonald's Ads depending on the country targeted. Each country responds differently to different things. For example, in China people may respond well to cute animated animals in Mcdonald's advertisements. However, this would receive a completely different response in the west as people like to dissolve the connection between the animals and the meat in the burgers.
In Egypt, cultural markers play a major role in society: in our jokes, tv shows, advertisements and much more. one of the most important cultural markers has to do with the Holy month of Ramadan. Ramadan is a month of prosperity, forgiveness, generosity and patience in the Muslim world and is a major event in Egypt. Muslims fast from sunrise till sunset showing patience and commitment to God. One of the symbols directly connected to this month and has become a cultural marker in Egypt is the Cannon. Every day in Ramadan as the sun dips below the horizon and gives way to the stars. The great boom of the cannon echoes through the city, ricocheting off of the tall buildings. The firing of the cannon triggers the breaking of the fast and allows people to finally indulge in the lavish feasts that await them. This tradition began during the reign of the Ottoman empire to announce that it was time to break their fast. This was essential at the time as people did not wear watches and there were no clocks hung up in people's homes. Before cannons were available people would use the shade cast off of a stick to determine the time but this causes some variation between when people were breaking their fast, so the cannon was a way to unify the people and have one specific time to break the fast.
This cultural marker can be misunderstood or misinterpreted by other cultures in many ways due to the true nature of a cannon. Our belief is contrary to popular belief that the cannon is a symbol of power, destruction, war, and intimidation. Instead, it represents Ramadan - a holy time - and prosperity, generosity and an end to a struggle. This, however, is what makes this cultural marker specific and unique to my culture. The use of this symbol is seen in various forms of pop culture, media and advertisements so the understanding of this symbol will allow for you to become involved socially with the culture and recognize that the firing of the canon signals a specific event.
I would be interested to hear some of your cultural markers so don't forget to comment below!!!
In Egypt, cultural markers play a major role in society: in our jokes, tv shows, advertisements and much more. one of the most important cultural markers has to do with the Holy month of Ramadan. Ramadan is a month of prosperity, forgiveness, generosity and patience in the Muslim world and is a major event in Egypt. Muslims fast from sunrise till sunset showing patience and commitment to God. One of the symbols directly connected to this month and has become a cultural marker in Egypt is the Cannon. Every day in Ramadan as the sun dips below the horizon and gives way to the stars. The great boom of the cannon echoes through the city, ricocheting off of the tall buildings. The firing of the cannon triggers the breaking of the fast and allows people to finally indulge in the lavish feasts that await them. This tradition began during the reign of the Ottoman empire to announce that it was time to break their fast. This was essential at the time as people did not wear watches and there were no clocks hung up in people's homes. Before cannons were available people would use the shade cast off of a stick to determine the time but this causes some variation between when people were breaking their fast, so the cannon was a way to unify the people and have one specific time to break the fast.
This cultural marker can be misunderstood or misinterpreted by other cultures in many ways due to the true nature of a cannon. Our belief is contrary to popular belief that the cannon is a symbol of power, destruction, war, and intimidation. Instead, it represents Ramadan - a holy time - and prosperity, generosity and an end to a struggle. This, however, is what makes this cultural marker specific and unique to my culture. The use of this symbol is seen in various forms of pop culture, media and advertisements so the understanding of this symbol will allow for you to become involved socially with the culture and recognize that the firing of the canon signals a specific event.
I would be interested to hear some of your cultural markers so don't forget to comment below!!!
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