‘Culture ... is that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, custom, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society.’ - Tyler (British anthropologist

                                                    Legacy of the Incas

INTRODUCTION TO CULTURE

By Elizabeth H. Elys: Coming to North America from Europe, I never realized one day, I will see so many different cultures, languages, traditions, fiestas, etc. In Europe going deeply to history we learned about a great and Ancient culture like Greeks, Romans, Vikings.

The culture of Europe is rooted in the art, architecture, music, literature and philosophy that originated from the European cultural region. This culture is largely rooted in what is often referred to as its common cultural heritage. The concept of European culture is linked to classical definition of the Western world. Western culture is the set of literary, scientific, political, artistic and philosophical principles. A European culture has Christian influence. 

A common cultural spiritual heritage derived from Greco-Roman antiquity, Christianity, the Renaissance and its Humanism, the political thinking of the Enlightenment, and French Revolution, and development of Modernity, including all types Socialism.

Myself studying an art and history, I was always fascinated to know more about for example Chinese culture, Oriental culture or South American culture (Aztecs, Mayans, Incas.) I had such an opportunity to visit South America and to learn and study more about their culture.

Cultures in South America include the native culture of the peoples that inhabited the continents prior to the arrival of the Europeans. European culture brought mainly by the Spanish, Portuguese and the French. South American culture is the combination of almost the half of the culture of this World. This culture had its own tradition and heritage.

In South America people mostly speak Spanish and a diversification of Indian dialects. Language spoken there by Indian population is named Quechua. I had been living, studying the Incas culture and painting in Ecuador for a few years, which was part of the largest Inca Empire in the Pre-Columbian America. The Inca culture or civilization arose from the highlands of Peru sometime in early 13^Th century. Empire was an amalgamation of languages cultures and people.

When I went to South America, my goal was to learn more about the Incas culture. I have been in Ecuador visiting museums, baroque churches, and archeological sites. The Ecuadorian Museum of Casa de la Cultura, Ingapirca, and more offered me to admire, the immense collection of Pre-Columbian artefacts in pottery, metal, bones, textile, etc. This amazing treasure and legacy of Pre- Columbian relics inspired and motivated to my own artistic creation.

My father, who was an art historian and philosopher, raised and inspired me in a cultural and intellectual milieu with Christian values and good principles.