Heritage and Culture Explained
The Museum of Belize © Sylvia Batty
Here’s a pop quiz: do you know the difference between heritage and culture? If not, don’t fret! The answer’s not as straightforward as one might think.
Culture and Heritage are two intricately connected—and important—concepts that continuously influence each other. That’s why you’ll often find them mentioned together.
So, what’s the difference between the two of them anyway? Keep reading to find out.
Heritage vs Culture: What’s the Difference?
If you’ve ever taken a trip to The Museum of Belize, then you already know a thing or two about heritage.
While the museum was established in 2002, the building itself has existed for over 163 years, having functioned as a prison from 1857 to 1993. Today, the historic structure houses artifacts that date back hundreds to thousands of years—from old stamps and colonial items to ancient Maya relics.
This makes the museum a perfect encapsulation of the diversity of Belizean heritage.
The National Trust of Australia[1] defines Heritage as:
“Something inherited from the past and valued enough today to leave for future generations”
And that “something” is not limited to just artifacts and historic sites.
Our heritage is all around us. It includes tangible things, including cultural sites, like the Museum of Belize, and natural sites, like barrier reefs and local wildlife. But, it also includes intangible things, like folklore and ideologies passed on from generation to generation.
Culture, similarly, is made up of our beliefs and habits as a group or a society. It includes things like our language, our art, and even our traditions. But, while heritage includes the things inherited from the past, culture is the manifestation of that past in the present, which is constantly changing.
Think of it this way: Heritage can be seen as an all-encompassing umbrella made up of many different parts. Among those many parts sits Culture, which is influenced by heritage.
The Importance of Safeguarding Our Heritage
Heritage is such an important part of who we are that each year we dedicate an entire day—April 18th—to its celebration and preservation.
Our heritage, passed down to us by our predecessors, defines who we are as a people. It’s what makes us unique to the outside world and what unites us as a community. More than that, our heritage is what helps us understand both our past and our present, especially when it comes to knowing why we are the way that we are today.
Heritage inspires us, fostering innovation and creativity. Its preservation is the key to having a sustainable future. And when we talk about sustainability, we aren’t just talking about the environment.[2]
Our heritage inspires us to create and innovate. Artwork at the Placencia Street Art Festival, February 2020 © Lola’s Art Gallery on Facebook. Photographed by Salvador Pollard Cambranes
The Heritage Council of Ireland puts it best, stating that:
“Maintaining and enhancing our heritage provides a basis for local economic development and innovation in tourism, agriculture, entertainment, education, and business.”
Recognizing and understanding how invaluable Heritage is to us is the first step towards ensuring that we have something to pass down to the generations that will come after us.
Written by: Khaila Gentle
REFERENCES IF YOU WANT TO READ MORE:
1 National Trust of Australia, 2013. Heritage Strategy: A Vision for the Future 2013 and Beyond. [Online] Available at: https://www.cgg.wa.gov.au/documents/108/heritage-strategy-a-vision-for-the-future-2013-and-beyond
2 Grazuleviciute-Vileniske, Indre, 2006. Cultural Heritage in the Context of Sustainable Development. 37. 74-79. [Online] Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228466259_Cultural_Heritage_in_the_Context_of_Sustainable_Development