The essay “Deep Play: Notes on the Balinese Cockfight” in the book The Interpretation of Cultures is an excellent example of how an ethnographer can use thick description to bring the vibrancy and significance of a social activity to life.
Materialistic Anthropology, based on Marxist theory, focuses on human practices that result from the material conditions in which the society exists. This meant that there finally was a strong appreciation of the fact that historical transformations resulting from changes in material conditions are of critical importance to understand the underpinnings of a society
In the early twentieth century the Trobriand people were the subject of an in-depth ethnographic study by Bronislaw Malinowski. The anthropologist lived on Mailu Island for several years. He learnt their language and interacted with the islanders daily. His stated aim was to understand the “imponderabilia of everyday life” in the tribe.
Evans-Pritchard describes the religious beliefs of the Nuer tribe as “spiritual” in that they conceive God to be Kwoth, a “being of true spirit” who is everywhere and in everything. They believe that everything they are and everything they have and everything that happens is so because it is his will.
The cultural values of a specific society are interdependent and in a state of constant flux, evolving over time in reaction to advances in learning and technology or changes in the environment.
Australia to pay compensation to the Stolen Generations of Australia – thousands of indigenous children forcibly taken from their mothers.
The term Geisha refers to women who are traditional Japanese performance artists. They specialize in Japanese dance, music and singing and are easily recognized by their distinctive appearance. They wear elaborate kimonos and wigs, and paint their faces white. Geishas are not only artists, but also trained hosts. They entertain business men and other clients … Read more
India’s dowry system originated thousands of years ago, at a time when women could not inherit property. Parents who wanted to provide financial security for their daughters, who would otherwise end up penniless, bestowed a dowry to them when they got married. This gift of property, jewellery or other assets would be registered in the … Read more
Marriage wealth-exchange practices are strongly influenced by the economic modes of production (foraging, horticulture, pastoralism or intensive agriculture) of the society, the resulting relations of production and the possibility of wealth accumulation.
The mode of production and related residence practices adopted by a society have a direct impact on women’s status and power.
