Ancient Maya Sacred Cacao Groves: Cultivating cacao trees in the shade of karst sinkholes
The Ancient Maya cultivated cacao trees in sacred groves located in the shade of karst sinkholes, which which were ideal for cacao cultivation
indigenous culture
Clifford Geertz – the man who pioneered “thick description” in anthropology
Geertz was widely respected within the field of anthropology, and he received numerous awards and honours over the course of his career. In 2006, he passed away at the age of 79. Clifford Geertz’s contributions to anthropology will continue to be felt for many years to come.
Ruth Benedict: The anthropologist who believed that cultures have personalities
Ruth Benedict developed the theory that each society has a distinct personality as a result of the unique experiences and challenges confronted by that culture.
Bronislaw Malinowski: The Father of Field Research
Bronislaw Malinowski was a Polish-born anthropologist who pioneered participant observation as an ethnographic method.
Margaret Mead: A Pioneering Anthropologist
Margaret Mead made many significant contributions to the field of anthropology. She was the first anthropologist to study Samoan culture, and she also did ground-breaking work on adolescence.
Bronislaw Malinowski, the Trobriand people and the Kula
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 and the Religion of the Nuer 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.
