What term refers to the customs, beliefs, and practices of a society or a people?

The term that refers to the customs, beliefs, and practices of a society or a people is "culture." Culture encompasses the shared values, norms, symbols, and practices that characterize a specific group or society, influencing everything from daily activities to artistic expressions and social structures. It represents the collective identity of a community and shapes how individuals interact with each other and their environment.

Tradition pertains specifically to those customs or practices that are passed down through generations, representing a subset within the broader concept of culture. Heritage usually refers to the legacy of physical artifacts and intangible attributes inherited from past generations, which can be a part of a culture but does not encompass the entirety of practices and beliefs. Society generally describes a group of individuals who share a common territory and culture but does not specifically define the customs and beliefs themselves.