Dear readers,

this excellent article is submitted by Prof. Biju Longhinos and Prof. Sarah Sanders Smith. The Journal would like to take this opportunity to extend our thanks and acknowledgment to them for their great contribution to this Journal and to intercultural studies in general.

Credits and copyrights of the article shall go to the authors.

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The State of Kerala, India - A Case Study of Acculturation in Diversity (782)

Abstract

The State of Kerala, India is unique not only in its geographical design, but also in the culture of its people. Keralites are masters of acculturation. Known as India’s most peaceful state, the citizens of Kerala enjoy the highest quality health care, longevity that surpasses all other Indian states, excellent educational resources, as well as gender and caste equality. Benefactors of early visits from multiple cultures, successful acculturation developed the Keralite ethos – an excellent example of diversity – embraced!

Key words: Acculturation, India, Culture, Adaptation, Diversity

Authors

Prof. Biju Longhinos

University College, Trivandrum City, Kerala, India 695 034 {Secretary, Union of Government College Teachers - India, Member Federacion International Sydicale de la Enzanza (FISE-WFTU)} Contact: akademi.unionist#gmail.com

Prof. Sarah Sanders Smith

Purdue University – North Central, 1401 S US Hwy 421, Westville, IN 46391 Contact: (219)785-5684, ssmith#pnc.edu

The State of Kerala, India: A Case Study of Acculturation in Diversity

India is one of the oldest civilizations in the world. During the last 59 years of democracy, this country has achieved phenomenal socio-economic progress. Self-sufficient in agricultural production, India is now the tenth industrialized country in the world (mapsofindia.com). With one foot steeped in rich cultural traditions and the other fervently striding into the entrepreneurial e-age, India embraces its diversity with unmatched serenity. This country spans 3.28 million square kilometers and is comprised of 28 states and seven union territories. India, since independence, has a parliamentary form of democratic governance.

Kerala, the most southwestern area of India, is a reactive state; well know for a co-existence of orthodoxies and leftist movement. This mosaic has nurtured ideological polarization and intellectual conflicts between right wing and left wing thoughts. Critical discernment of issues has thus become a part of Kerala’s society (which supplemented social growth productively and qualitatively). Thorough understanding of social needs and wanted changes insisted that the apostles of orthodoxies accept dismantling of caste in social spheres, provide ownership to workers and remove matriarchal inheritance. Meanwhile, the leftists were molded to be responsive, but pacifically. As a result, the communist movement evolved in Kerala. During the 1940’s, Keralites adopted democracy much sooner than the communists of the rest of world even thought about doing so. The most acclaimed acts that belong to the communist movement in the state include acceptance of cultural and intellectual pluralism, leading to co-evolution of orthodoxy and leftism. This dynamic created a new Kerala: a realistic melting pot of acculturation. The modern phase of acculturation, which roots its initiation in social tensions, expounded around 1810AD and has subsequently and successfully resulted in nurturing pro-people attitudes among different rulers in the region. Throughout the last 150 years, acculturation has matured and the region today abodes the highest literacy rate, lowest infant mortality rate, a very low birth rate, high women empowerment rate and enhanced human dignity. These traits identify a separate identity for Kerala (apart from other states of the Indian Union).

How did Kerala, geographically segmented from most of India, develop such a diverse yet harmonious culture? This case profiles the unique State of Kerala. Today, Americans and Indians may collaborate, by choice or necessity, with each other in business and education. The people of Kerala are the masters of acculturation. What then, could Americans (as well as people from various cultures) learn from the Keralites? Benefits from Kerala’s acculturation should encourage all people to enhance communication, cooperation, and acculturation.

The Geography of Kerala

By Indian standards, Kerala is a small state, tucked away in the southwest corner of the country. Kerala represents 1.18 percent of the total area of India and hosts 3.34% of the total population of the country. It is separated from the rest of the peninsula by natural geographic boundaries. The mountainous Western Ghats, with rich primeval forests and a high degree of rainfall, form the eastern boundary of Kerala. They extend from the north to Kanyakumari in the south. Further south of the Western Ghats region lie the Cardamom Hills. The entire western border of Kerala, 560 km in length, is established via the Arabian Sea. Between these natural boundaries lies the long and narrow area of land which defines Kerala. At the widest area, Kerala spans 120-km from the sea to mountains.

According to www.kerala.com, this state is divided into three geographical regions: the highlands, midlands and coastal lowlands. The highlands slope downward from the Western Ghats, which rise to an average height of 900 m. A number of peaks exceed 1,800 m in height. Major plantations that produce tea, coffee, rubber, cardamom and other agricultural species are located in the highlands. The midlands lie between the mountains and the lowlands. This region is comprised of undulating hills and valleys. Intensive crop cultivation (cashew, coconut, areca nut, cassava, banana, rice, ginger, pepper, sugarcane) and vegetables of different varieties are produced in the midlands. The lowlands of Kerala are networked by a seemingly endless, intricate maze of backwaters and the estuaries of forty-four glimmering rivers.

Historically in Kerala, (two to three thousand years ago), the lives of common people were not based on caste distinctions and prejudices. Rather, broad division of the population established based upon occupations. Assisted by geographical design, Keralites based their occupations on the nature of the land on which they resided. Divisions included Kurinchi (mountain land), Palai (arid land), Mullai (pastures), Marutan (west land) and Neytal (coastal land). The Kuravar (hunters) of Kurinchi, the Maravar (fighting men) of Palai, the Idayas (cowherds and shepherds) of Mullai, the Uzhavas (agriculturists) of Marutam and the Paravas (fishermen) of the Neytal were all from the same race.

Kerala, commonly hailed as God’s Own Country, is highly revered due to its geographical and sociological features. Geographically, a long coastline in the west and mountains on the east form clear natural boundaries. The eastern hill ranges protected Kerala from direct invasion of military forces. Thus, Kerala remained a free country even before Indian union formation.

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“Speak softly, don’t argue and slow down” - this is a title by Telegraph Newspaper Online on April 16th reporting that under a programme starting next month, several leading US companies will give employees heading abroad a “World Citizens Guide featuring 16 etiquette tips on how they can help improve America’s battered international image.”

It is also reported that Business for Diplomatic Action (BDA), a non-profit group funded by big American companies, has also met Karen Hughes, the head of public diplomacy at the State Department, to discuss issuing the guide with every new US passport. The goal is to create an army of civilian ambassadors’.The guide offers a series of “simple suggestions” under the slogan, “Help your country while you travel for your company”. The advice targets a series of common American traits and includes:

• Think as big as you like but talk and act smaller. (In many countries, any form of boasting is considered very rude. Talking about wealth, power or status - corporate or personal - can create resentment.)
• Listen at least as much as you talk. (By all means, talk about America and your life in our country. But also ask people you’re visiting about themselves and their way of life.)
• Save the lectures for your kids. (Whatever your subject of discussion, let it be a discussion not a lecture. Justified or not, the US is seen as imposing its will on the world.)
• Think a little locally. (Try to find a few topics that are important in the local popular culture. Remember, most people in the world have little or no interest in the World Series or the Super Bowl. What we call “soccer” is football everywhere else. And it’s the most popular sport on the planet.)
• Slow down. (We talk fast, eat fast, move fast, live fast. Many cultures do not.)
• Speak lower and slower. (A loud voice is often perceived as bragging. A fast talker can be seen as aggressive and threatening.)
• Your religion is your religion and not necessarily theirs. (Religion is usually considered deeply personal, not a subject for public discussions.)
• If you talk politics, talk - don’t argue. (Steer clear of arguments about American politics, even if someone is attacking US politicians or policies. Agree to disagree.)
  

Interestingly, “slow down” is given as one of the suggestions here. I guess it could quickly remind you of the book In Praise of Slow by a Canadian journalist Carl Honore, in which the author advocates living a slower, more measured existence. The popularity of the book may suggest that slowness is indeed a part of some of the cultures in some places in the world.If you happen to be an international/intercultural person, the tips and suggestions, however, could probably be taken as your useful references. In fact they are useful guide for anyone in/from any country/culture who goes intercultural!

Some key points believed to be essential for successful intercultural communications:

• Open Mindedness
• Sense of Humor
• Ability to Cope with Failure
• Communicativeness
• Flexibility and Adaptability
• Curiosity
• Positive and Realistic Expectations
• Tolerance for Differences and Ambiguities
• Positive Regard for Others