Cross-cultural comparison Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Cross-cultural comparison - Essay Example Marriage is also important to the Ashanti. In Ashanti culture, marriages can be polygamous and having more than one wife is seen as an expression of generosity. Women cannot marry without the permission of the elder brother head of the household and both their parents. It is also common for Ashanti women to not meet their husbands until the marriage ceremony, and it is a duty of the parents to keep the tradition of marriage going (Fortes, 2008). The Ashanti are passionate about a number of arts, such as pottery and weaving. These skills are generally taught to daughters of the tribe by their mother. Conversely, young boys are required to learn a skill from their father. Boys are the only children to go to school, and this privilege has to be paid for by their genetic father. Finally, the Ashanti have a number of spiritual beliefs. Plants, animals and trees have souls. The Ashanti also believe in the existence of fairies and witches. There are also a number of gods that are worshipped by the tribe, some of which overlook events such as marriages and funerals, and the Nyame is the Supreme Being worshipped by the Ashanti (Fortes, 1948). The Amahuaca are a tribe that live in the Amazon, geographically located within Peru. The Amahuaca live in family housing, and families which are related in a patrilineal manner will make up one hamlet. Succession to the leadership of the hamlet is also patrilineal in nature, with this individual always being male and having the power to order tasks to be completed for the benefit of the village. There is generally no hostility within the clan, and non-conformity is generally accepted (Dole, 1979). The Amahuaca often view those who speak a different language (and are therefore part of what is known as nawa). Marriages are usually organised when the child is born, and it is common to marry together cousins