Page 48 - DSOC402_SOCIOLOGY_OF_KINSHIP_ENGLISH

Sociology of Kinship

Notes 6.4 Diffusionism

Background
The idea (of the evolutionists) that the cultural scholars’ development takes place independently
and the cultural similarities are the result of the parallel evolution was widely criticised. It is
not that such a process of progress had been rejected, but when the developers totally ignored
those examples of rites and rituals and origination of art, which were the proof that they were
a part of culture through cultural exchange; then objections were raised against it saying it was
on unscientific ignorance of history. No specific regional experience or training was required
to know the fact that the order of stages of the unilateral development of the human society
(uncivilised stage—barbaric stage—single marriages; occupation—cattle rearing, agriculture-
handicrafts-industrial life) should be accepted in the light of the collected knowledge and the
available socio-economic life of the general primitive people of the world.
Mendel’s research in the rules of genetics/lineage had crossed the line of Darwinism. A similar
change occurred in social sciences, when they moved away from Spencer’s ideas. No specific
training was required to sent the fact that the culture characteristics too, are sent by transmission
agencies from one group to another. Whenever there is physical intimacy, there is possibility of
high inter transmission, which is in the form of words, customs, brides-grooms, objects, services,
trust, etc. It is also clear that when people of two diverse cultures stay at a stone’s throw from
each other, they not only observe each-other’s dresses, ornaments, utensils/dishes and external
life, but also interact with each other. And that can only be done when they have adopted a
few words from each-other’s language. More discussion is not required to know the reality and
possibility of cultural inter transmission in case of physical contact. The cultural characteristics
could be taken by the migrant people to those regions, where they settle temporarily. In this
way, these characteristics can be transmitted amongst the original inhabitants of those regions.
This is creative criticism of the developmentalist speculations but on the knowledge of real his-
torical incidents. The diffusion which encouraged the growth of culture and cultural parallels
came to be known as diffusion.
The critical description of the major ideologies in the field of ‘Diffusion’ studies, can be pre-
sented now.

Ideology of Culture-Cycle German Diffusionists
Writers like Grebner, Anchorman and Spid presented an ideology of diffusionism during the
early years of this century. Since then, their followers have been campaigning for it. Their ideol-
ogy is based on diffusioned development. They say that cultural characteristic have developed
in various periods, in different parts of the world and with time, it is kept on diffusing in other
parts as well. Such a diffusion is an orderly process and layers of diffused culture-characteristics
can be seen in any culture. Culture-cycle (Culturenees: A German world) means a Documentary
on culture.
These writes have been highly dependent on the evidences of physical culture. They did not
make attempt to prove their definitions on diffusionism in context with social organisations.
Yet, out of them, Grebner’s contribution is important and permanent in developing the criteria
of quality and form. Grebnor says due to lack of historical proof, similarities on the mere surface
are not sufficient in determining diffusion. To prove diffusion, it is essential to see the numerical
similarity along with similarity in form and the ultimate make up the creative elements of the
characteristics.
For instance, if we want to know whether the Zodiac signs have been diffused from one place
to another or not, then it has to be sent that in different place, the prevalent Zodiac signs are
similar or not, the number of signs are equal or not and whether the signs are viewed clockwise
or anti-clockwise.

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