Culture can be defined in may ways, but is defined from an anthropological standpoint as a people's way of life. More specifically, a culture can be described by the things it says, does, thinks and makes. These are the fundamental components of culture, as they are the byproduct of the integration of the people and their environment. It can then be gathered what makes the culture function, as observed from its reflection onto the cultural components. There is great variety between the different cultures of the world, ranging from pastoralist lifestyles, to those of sedentary and horticultural nature, and everything in between. As examples, we can look at the Basseri and the Nuer cultures. The Basseri are located in Iran, while the Nuer are in Sudan. Both societies are pastoral, and this lifestyle can be seen reflected on their culture, and their everyday life.
	Perhaps the most practical of the four cultural components is what the people do. By following the actions of both tribes, it becomes apparent what drives them. From an ecological standpoint, a pastoral tribe depends on the cattle they herd for survival. At the same level, they depend on their ecological environment to support those cattle. This creates an importance in maintaining the herds, far outranking that of anything else. Therefore, their time is largely spent maintaining the herds. As a result of this, their cattle can be deemed a large part of their culture. Beyond herding, the largest scale of culture, the actions on the micro scale can determine the minor qualities of culture. For example, one can observe the pugnacious attitude of the Nuer, and compare it to the rather passive quarrels of the Basseri, typically resulting in the moving of one's camp, rather than a duel or full scale fight. These differences in attitude demonstrate the different values that the people hold. The social system would also apply to this component, as it consists of their interpersonal behavior. While collaboration in the Basseri depends primarily on immediate family and social alliances, it depends on bloodlines for the Nuer. These bloodlines of the Nuer often seem to lead to pride in the family name, and may largely responsible for the aggressive nature of the people.
	The things that people say in a society, often referred to as their linguistics, can resemble much of what composes that culture. For example, the Basseri word “Il-Rah” is a term translating to “tribal route”. In a sense, it represents the property of a tribe. However, its concept must be explained to cultures who are not similar, because property does not adequately define the word. The word refers to not only a location, but also the time allotted for that location. The meaning for the word is cultivated by the nomadic lifestyle of the Basseri. The integration of language with culture is far more apparent with the Nuer people. Herding is the essence of life to them, and it is made apparent in their use of language. The anthropologist who studied the Nuer noted that he could not seem to have a conversation that didn't quickly lead to cattle. It applies thoroughly to all aspects of their culture, demonstrated through their language in metaphors and rooting from all directions.
	Another component of culture is what the people believe. This can extend in many directions, and is quite a bit harder to trace than the rest. They are best traced by determining the values of the culture. While the Basseri were Muslim, they scarcely practiced religion, only some of the values that it held. For example, they strictly forbade premarital sex, and held respect for the institution of marriage. Unlike the Basseri, the Nuer people believed in spirits, and a greater, omnipresent force. They celebrated these spirits ritualistically, with music and festivities. Time was actually taken from their lives to do so. It is also observed that the Basseri feel strongly against sedentary lifestyle, and only in rare cases do they pursue it, despite its practicality. The Nuer, however, must utilize both lifestyles in order to survive. Therefore, their feelings toward the matter are indifferent.
	The last component of culture is what the people make, and in the case of the Basseri and Nuer, this applies mainly to economy. Primarily, efforts are placed toward the cattle, as they compose most of the intra-tribal economy. All luxuries must be obtained through trade with outside societies. Therefore, special trade commodities are made, including various types of clothing and carpet made from wool. These items act as inter-societal currency. The rest of what is made is for immediate survival, which is parallel to the way they live their lives. Their lives consist primarily of surviving, with little time for all else.
	Through the concept of social integration, one can take a look at the aspects of a culture, and trace it back to its own lifestyle. For example, the dependency on herding in the Nuer culture is reflected by the consistent references to cattle during everyday conversation. The volatile nature of the Nuer can be connected with their social operations depending on bloodlines, rather than the Basseri's collaboration of only immediate family. It may also be noted that both the Nuer and Basseri use marriage as a strategy to tie these systems together. Social integration essentially depends on relationship between lifestyle and the cultural components. Because there is a valid relationship between the two, social integration can be a vital tool in observing other cultures.