Cultural Aspects of Colonization

From ancient times trade and human migration have contributed to interchange of various cultural aspects. But I believe that colonization and globalization have exerted the strongest influence on many cultural aspects and it is for sure that our world would not be the same if it was not for the colonization. In this essay I am going to discuss how such cultural aspects as religion, music and governmental system has been influenced by colonization and globalization.

The most popular religion in Europe and one of the four greatest religions, Christianity, has been widely spread over the world thanks to colonization. When Britain, France and Belgium colonized Africa the missionaries were sent to spread Christianity all over the continent. They brought and established there Christian branches such as Protestantism, Anglicanism and Catholicism . Christianity remains strong in Africa today; almost half of the continent is Christian, something that would never ensue if colonization had not occurred. Furthermore, Christianity was also brought to Brazil, when Portuguese occupied this country in 1489 . Other parts like South and Central America, were occupied by Spain and also became Christian to a wide extent. Generally speaking you can find Christianity all over the world, somewhere in bigger and somewhere in smaller extension. I assume that if colonization by Europeans would have not occurred, most of indigenous tribal religions would be more widespread and religious diversity would be smaller in these countries. In some cases however globalization evens out cultural differences and makes everything alike; for example it is easier to communicate and understand each other in equal society (i.e. similar food, religion). I therefore think that religion hampers development of globalization. It is very unlikely that every person in the world will choose the same and mutual religion or repudiate religion at all. However globalization can create more "preferable" groups or popular trends which everyone will strive to. For instance Buddhism becomes more and more popular in Europe.

Music is one of the cultural aspects that have without doubt been influenced not just by colonization but also by globalization. Let us do not forget that colonization means that one country or nation is taking over another, so people who are defeated do not have any choice and have to submit their ruler, therewith it is not always that colonized countries will get any profit from its colonizer. Globalization however means that countries stand on equal grounds and do not violate each other; they make agreements to help and learn from one another, make their economy more similar. For example during the Portuguese colonial era in Sri Lanka, Sinhala music has been influenced by new techniques and new instruments such as guitars and ukuleles. Later on came also Bollywood influence, triggered by globalization, since Bollywood became quite popular