In a multicultural territory, several cultures coexist in harmony.
Multicultural is an adjective used to refer to the convergence of a multiplicity of cultures . The concept, however, has various uses and specific meanings depending on the area.
At a general level, it can be said that what is characterized by the coexistence of several cultures is classified as multicultural. Many times, the term refers to the coexistence of a group of ethnic groups in the same territory.
Notion of multicultural
In a multicultural place, there are diverse cultures that dialogue with each other , enriching each other but without leaving aside their distinctive features. There are, therefore, different cultural traditions that share the same space in harmony .
Before moving forward with the idea of multicultural, it is important to focus on the definition of culture. Culture is the set of traditions , knowledge, practices and ways of life of a community or an era.
When these cultures coexist in a region, we speak of multiculturalism . In these cases, there is no culture that imposes itself on the rest and dominates the others, but rather respect and positive appreciation of differences prevails.
A multicultural society means that the rights of minority ethnic groups are respected, as is their identity.
Assimilation and segregation
Multiculturalism is not generated whenever the presence of two or more cultures is recorded in a territory. Sometimes, there is no harmony between ethnic groups and conflicts develop that may have different magnitudes and scope.
When an ethnic group or community is absorbed by a dominant community, cultural assimilation occurs. In this context, the minority ethnic group loses its customs , rituals and ways of life, adopting the majority cultural characteristics.
Assimilation can lead to the abandonment of a language or dialect, to mention one possibility. Practices and activities that made up the identity of the group may also fall into disuse. It should be noted that, although assimilation can be a voluntary process (as happens with immigrants who seek to integrate into the territory that welcomes them), it is usually carried out violently or forcibly (as happens with colonization).
Another possibility that threatens multiculturalism is the push for segregation . If an ethnic group is systematically separated or isolated from the dominant sector of society , dialogue or integration is not favored.
Multicultural countries in Latin America
With the advancement of transportation and communications over the last century, almost all countries are currently, to a greater or lesser extent, multicultural. There are even States that inscribe that quality in their Constitution .
The official name of Bolivia , for example , is the Plurinational State of Bolivia . Plurinationality can be linked to multiculturalism: the Bolivian State recognizes more than thirty official languages, equivalent to the various aboriginal peoples of the area.
If we analyze the case of Argentina , the indigenous presence is much lower. However, more than thirty-five towns of this type are registered in some 1,590 communities. Since 1994 , the Argentine Constitution admits the cultural and ethnic preexistence of these groups and preserves respect for their identity .
Peru, Brazil y Mexico son otras naciones latinoamericanas que se destacan por su componente multicultural. Aunque pueden surgir tensiones entre las comunidades, habitualmente prevalece la peace.