fundamental culture; deep culture
Academic term from folklore studies, proposed by German folklorist Hans Naumann. Refers to the underlying, often unconscious cultural layer that shapes surface expressions. Contrasts with 表層文化 (surface culture).
See also: 表層文化
In Naumann's theory, fundamental culture is rooted in the deep layers of the community.
Elements of fundamental culture remain strongly in the rituals of this festival.
表層文化 is the surface or overt culture, while 基層文化 is the deeper, underlying cultural foundation.
Compound of 基層 (base layer) and 文化 (culture). The term is a direct translation of the German concept 'Grundkultur' introduced by Hans Naumann.