Anthropological Perspective Research Articles

Why kinship still needs anthropologists in the 21st century

With the rise of ancient DNA studies in prehistoric archaeology, terms such as matriliny and patriliny are commonly used in scholarly literature. From a sociocultural anthropological perspective, however, the two terms are not as simple and unproblematic as is widely accepted among archaeogeneticists. Matriliny and patriliny are umbrella terms for societies with a wide range of political and kinship practices, with or without a state. Moreover, archaeogenetic literature has assumed specific associations with matrilineal and patrilineal descent that are not supported by sociocultural anthropology. To properly understand the diversity of human sociopolitical forms in both the deep and recent past, archaeology – in its broadest sense, including archaeogenetics – must avoid essentializing prehistoric communities without exploring the empirical nuances that are well documented ethnographically. Finally, the article calls for more engagement in debates on kinship and sociopolitical organization in prehistory from sociocultural anthropological perspectives.

Understanding Local Culture Through Museum Tourism In Anthropological Perspective At Museum Bank Indonesia

Museums are institutions that play a central role in preserving, presenting, and disseminating the cultural heritage of a community. In the context of tourism, museums are not only a place to store historical artifacts, but also an attractive destination for tourists who want to understand more about local culture. Museum tourism, with its focus on anthropological aspects, opens the door to an immersive experience of understanding local culture. The Bank Indonesia Museum, as an institution that not only displays the historical heritage of economics and banking but also interprets the role of local culture in that context, offers a unique arena for analyzing the interaction between visitors and local culture. Through an anthropological perspective, this study aims to explore how museum tourism at the Bank Indonesia Museum can be a means of a rich understanding of local culture, as well as how these experiences shape visitors' perceptions and understandings of the cultural richness of an area. This research method uses a descriptive qualitative approach and SWOT analysis.

Social Dimensions of Antimicrobial Resistance and an Anthropological Approach: Analytic Review

Purpose: The objective of this paper is to devise a comprehensive and layered framework to tackle antimicrobial resistance (AMR). It aims to weave together the strands of ethnomedicine, healthcare system analysis, and anthropological perspectives on illness, aligning with universal healthcare principles to encourage community participation and address the societal roots of health inequalities. The framework seeks to address AMR through a lens that views health disparities not merely as medical issues, but as complex phenomena shaped by cultural, social, and structural factors.
 Methodology: The research employs a single-case study design to synthesize and analyse interdisciplinary insights into AMR. This approach facilitates an in-depth understanding of how various elements, such as cultural beliefs, healthcare practices, and community dynamics, interact and influence the spread and management of AMR. By focusing on a single case, the study intends to meticulously document and interpret the nuanced interactions between these factors, providing a detailed narrative that captures the essence of the AMR challenge in a global health context. The study utilizes 66 varied references, such as journal articles, book excerpts, theses, reports, and websites, sourced from academic venues and the internet, published between 1946 and 2023.
 Findings: Through its investigation, the study presents a healthcare approach that marries the traditional wisdom of ethnomedicine with the precision of biomedicine, underscoring the significance of cultural competence in formulating AMR mitigation strategies. It dissects the intricate relationship between the three primary health sectors—popular, professional, and folk—and disentangles the sociocultural concepts of 'disease' and 'illness' as distinguished by medical anthropologists. The research calls for a reconceptualization of healthcare systems that goes beyond the biomedical model, advocating for an integration of the sociocultural, economic, and political dimensions that influence health and illness manifestations.
 Unique contribution to theory: This study's unique theoretical contribution lies in its interdisciplinary approach to health disparities and AMR. It proposes a model that balances the rigor of scientific research with the insights gleaned from traditional health practices, placing a premium on the dynamics of community involvement and the myriad influences on health. By doing so, it offers a more equitable, sustainable, and contextually relevant paradigm for health practices and policies. This paradigm shift is intended to provide actionable insights for policymakers and health practitioners, enabling them to devise strategies that are not only scientifically sound but also culturally sensitive and broadly applicable. The framework envisages a future where health interventions are tailored to the lived experiences of diverse populations, potentially transforming the landscape of global health and AMR strategy.

Gudina Tumsa’s Approach to Human Rights: a Dialogue between Anthropology and Christology

I shall present Rev. Gudina’s approach to the crucial issue of human rights. Put rightly, the very phenomenon that marks that particular period in Ethiopian history was the Marxist [-Leninist] ideology. Marxism emphasized social and economic issues more than anything to the extent of seeing human beings but in terms of this internal logic. Knowing the dangers of this socio-economic view of human beings, Rev. Gudina developed an approach to understanding of human nature from an informed [theological] anthropological perspective. Based on his theological-anthropological analysis of human nature he developed a stance on human rights. But theological anthropology was not the only starting point of Rev. Gudina’s perspective on human rights. In this paper, I shall discuss that Rev. Gudina’s approach to human rights was the result of his creative holding of a dialog between theological anthropology and Christology.

The Tragedy of the Commons in Aceh: An Anthropological Reflection on the Post-Tsunami Development of Aceh

This article examines the post-tsunami development of Aceh from an anthropological perspective, focusing on the concept of the tragedy of the commons. The author argues that the development projects in Aceh have been driven by a logic of budget absorption, dendrophobia (fear of trees), and noise escalation, resulting in the degradation of various commons, such as land, sound, water, and cultural heritage. The author uses Garret Hardin's theory of the tragedy of the commons to analyze the collective action problems and the externalities that arise from the overexploitation and mismanagement of the commons. The author also provides empirical evidence from fieldwork and secondary sources to illustrate the negative impacts of the development on the environment, society, and culture of Aceh. The author concludes that the development of Aceh has been a tragedy for the commons and calls for a more sustainable, participatory, and culturally sensitive approach to development.

Theorizing ethnolinguistic diversity under globalization: beyond biocultural analogies

ABSTRACT This paper seeks to advance our theoretical understanding of diversifying and homogenizing processes in human societies by exploring the sources of and threats to ethnolinguistic or cultural diversity. Invoking concepts such as ethnogenesis, schismogenesis, and structural transformations, it discusses the parallels as well as the divergences between biological and cultural theory. Models in historical linguistics risk importing unwarranted assumptions about diversification from biological models of speciation. A more pertinent theorization of ethnolinguistic diversity might build on anthropological perspectives such as those of Fredrik Barth, Gregory Bateson, and Claude Lévi-Strauss, all of whom recognized that such diversity reflects interaction rather than isolation. The empirical test of these considerations is the ethnography and history of language use among Indigenous peoples in Amazonia and the Andes. The conclusion is that premodern expansions of language families, in tolerating local cultural autonomy, multilingualism, and diglossia, did not threaten ethnolinguistic identities as has modern globalization.

NILAI-NILAI BUDAYA TRADISI LISAN DALAM PERTUNJUKAN JIKI HADARA PADA PERNIKAHAN MASYARAKAT BIMA: KAJIAN ANTROPOLOGI LINGUISTIK

This research is a qualitative description research that produces descriptions in from written or spoken words of the people and the observer behavior. This study aims to describe the form of performance, indexicality, and participation. Oral traditional cultur values and inheritance systems in the Jiki Hadara performance, indexicality, and inheritance systems in the Jiki Hadara performance at the wedding of the Bima people with a linguistic anthropological perspective. The theory used in this study is the theory of linguistic anthropology from Duranti. The data collection was carried out using the observation method, the proficient method, and the transcription method. Data analysis using qualitative methods consisting of data reduction, data presentation and drawing conclusions. The result of this study indicate that the Jiki Hadara performance at the wedding of the Bima community in the Tumpu Village, Bolo sub-district,has forms of performance, indexicality, and participation. Besides that, there are also traditional values in this research as well as an inheritance system that can provide an understanding in maintaining a traditional culture. This research is expected to be material for discussion for all groups, especially for cultural and scientific activists, especially in the field of linguistic anthropology.

Analysis of the organizational culture of the company Genesem Inc. from the perspective of visual anthropology

Organizational culture in companies is of great importance, since it allows you to know how the company is inside, this organizational culture shows you how communication is managed, who manages it, how is the work climate and culture, as well as the use of technology by employees, especially when it is used as a communication tool. Within the organizational culture it is also possible to see how the relationship of employees is, both within the company, as well as their relationship with customers and suppliers. Through this qualitative analysis from the perspective of visual anthropology, it is possible to have more detail on all these issues, especially through the analysis of video images where you can perceive the nonverbal communication and micro expressions of the people who participated in the data collection techniques.

Architecture in Anthropological Perspective: Structural Reflection on Local Architectural Dynamics

The objective of this study is to discuss the role of an anthropological perspective in architecture as well as structural reflection on the dynamics of architecture in relation to society. An anthropological lens can be used to study architecture as a manifestation of human culture in order to better understand the complex interactions between humans, the environment, and social structures. This research takes an anthropological approach to understanding architecture and investigates the dynamics of architecture as a cultural product influenced by social, technological, economic, and political changes. An analysis of the physical structure of architecture that reflects social structure, symbolism, and representation in architecture as a reflection of society is used to explain structural reflection. Case studies encompass vernacular, religious, colonial, and sustainable architecture. Understanding architecture from an anthropological standpoint allows humans to recognize the significance of cultural identity, the preservation of traditions, and their relationship with the physical environment as an art form in development.

(Post)Yugoslavian Music Press in Transition

The development of the Internet and digital technologies has influenced the ever- greater migrations of printed content to the digital sphere (blogs, online media, Internet portals, social networks), which has also brought with itself changes in readers’ habits and in the concept and format of texts as wells. Music press is no exception in that respect. In the context of South European states, these processes coincide with the period of political, social, cultural and economic transition, giving rise to the development of numerous regional and local specific forms of popular culture. The existence of the SFRY as a shared state enabled the creation of an authentic cultural space, which continued to develop even after its disintegration. This paper endeavors to shed light on one segment of that local authenticity through an analysis of music press. The aim the authors of this paper aspire to achieve is the presentation of the development path of the printed media in the first place inthe Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, then in Serbia, as well as the reconstructions of the modality of the transformation of this media in the transition period from an anthropological perspective. The wish is to identify the perception and significance of music as a local culturalphenomenon through the qualitative analysis of the archival material and the available Internet sources as well, then to trace the cultural changes that have been going on over time as a result of global and local social and cultural turmoil. We do not refer to press only as the medium which has an informative role, but rather as the medium that reflects the local community’s attitudes, simultaneously constructing narratives on popular culture that are incorporated in our everyday life.

A Sociolinguistic Study of Personal Names in Balochi Culture

This paper focuses on the personal names of Balochi culture and regards naming practices as an important aspect of the Baloch culture. Personal names are studied in this paper within the perspective of linguistics anthropology. In this paper, the focus of the study is limited to the names of people living in district Kech of Balochistan province. It is hypothesized that Personal names of Balochi culture are not arbitrary labels, but they have sociocultural tags, functions, and meanings. The date to complete requirement of the objectives have been collected through the voter list and some personal names were obtained from the primary and secondary schools of different cities of district Kech. The qualitative method has been used for analyzing the concerned data. They borrow personal names from different cultures due to religious, political, and ideological reasons however, they have always clothed them in the garments of their national ideology. On this purpose the paper discusses the typology of Balochi names including the names taken from the names of days and months, plants and tree, and circumstantial names. It also discusses about compounding naming practices of Balochi culture which are derived from the combination of two single units of words in Balochi language. The Balochi personal names through classifications and categorization show that the choices of Balochi personal names are based on social and cultural considerations. It was observed in the typology of personal names in Balochi culture which shows that how social belief and cultural practices influence the choices or selections of personal names.

Cultural Metaphor in Oboo Worship: A Religious Anthropological Study Based on Mongolian Nationality

This paper explores the cultural and spiritual significance of Mongolian Oboo sacrifices from an anthropological perspective. Oboo, traditional cairns or shrines assembled from stones and wooden materials, often located on hilltops or mountain peaks, serve as media of spiritual communication and ceremonial offerings. The practices reinforce communal bonds and tradition continuance and carry several symbolic meanings related to both natural and spiritual realms. The study explores the form and content of Oboo sacrifices, demonstrating how they embody Mongolians' religious ideologies and symbolize the interconnection between humans and the natural world. Furthermore, the paper studies how the rituals form collective memory and a sense of group identity for Mongolians. Through this investigation, the research illuminates the enduring resilience and sophistication of Mongolian traditional customs, underscoring their cultural significance.

Youth in Social Science Research in Indonesia (Reflection on Directions and Perspectives in Anthropological Approaches)

This case study was done in an urban environment to investigate intercultural interaction in the multiethnic context of Makassar City. The research aims to understand how intercultural interactions occur in the daily lives of the residents of Makassar, which is a city rich in cultural and ethnic diversity. Data were through direct observation and in-depth interviews. Seven local residents with diverse ethnic backgrounds were selected as informants for the study. Intercultural communication, acceptance and tolerance, cooperation and collaboration, the influence of intercultural interaction, and challenges and barriers are some of the elements studied. According to the results of the study, intercultural communication in Makassar City requires the use of language and special signs to overcome language differences. The majority of Makassar City residents appreciate and accept ethnic diversity. However, there are still problems in overcoming differences in tradition and culture. In various initiatives and activities involving multiethnic communities, there is cooperation and collaboration between ethnicities. The social, cultural, and economic life of Makassar City is greatly enhanced by intercultural interaction. However, there are some challenges faced, such as language differences and cultural stereotypes, which can make inter-ethnic communication and understanding difficult. This study enhances our understanding of cultural interaction in a multiethnic urban environment and offers suggestions for improving inter-ethnic understanding, tolerance, and collaboration in Makassar City.
 Keywords: research, children, anthropological perspective

Automation at sea; an anthropological perspective

The introduction of new automated technologies promises to help improve the sustainability of the maritime industry, yet this trend is also likely to affect the numbers of people employed at sea and change the nature of their role. We spoke to Professor Cecilie Vindal Ødegaard about her work in looking at the impact of automation on the maritime industry and its workforce.

МІЖДИСЦИПЛІНАРНА СИНТЕЗІЯ КОНВЕНЦІЙ ТА ПАТЕРНІВ СУЧАСНОЇ ПОПУЛЯРНОЇ КУЛЬТУРИ США

This article offers a comprehensive interdisciplinary analysis of contemporary popular culture in the United States, with a focus on its development over the past two decades. The research encompasses various theoretical approaches, including philosophical, economic, sociological, psychological, historical, and anthropological perspectives, aiming to provide a nuanced understanding of the complex and multifaceted phenomenon of popular culture within the context of globalization and digital transformation. Attention is given to the impact of recommendation algorithms on popular culture, particularly their role in fostering cultural homogenization, personalizing cultural experiences, and shaping new cultural trends. The issues of cultural hybridization, the ritualization of social practices, and the significance of collective memory in the context of popular culture are also explored. Historical analysis reveals the periodization and evolution of cultural institutions, while the socio-anthropological approach highlights the importance of symbolic structures in the formation of cultural narratives. The philosophical lens emphasizes the postmodern characteristics of contemporary popular culture, including the deconstruction of traditional cultural patterns, and analyzes the dynamics of metaphysical concepts, particularly the idea of presence within the conditions of hyperreality. Sociological methodologies assist in addressing the structuration of cultural practices and adaptive processes of socialization through social networks and other digital platforms, which are emerging as new spaces for the construction of social identities. The psychological analysis focuses on the cognitive and emotional effects induced by popular culture, including cognitive disintegration caused by excessive media consumption, and the impact of social comparison on self-esteem and the psychological well-being of individuals. It is emphasized that popular culture products can be designed to appeal to unconscious desires and internalized norms, shaping motivational structures and social behavior patterns. The economic perspective highlights the processes of commodification of cultural products and the monetization of cultural industries. The article underscores the necessity of integrating these approaches to gain a deeper understanding of how contemporary popular culture in the United States influences global cultural processes and shapes the future directions of cultural practices and social structures. The conclusions emphasize the importance of an interdisciplinary approach that allows for a comprehensive consideration of the impact of popular culture on society, its cultural norms, identities, and social dynamics.

Bloody Christmas Eve in Ochotnica Dolna. Remembrance Practices of the Pacification of Ochotnica Dolna, Poland, on 23 December 1944 from an Anthropological Perspective

This paper concerns the contemporary practices held in the village of Ochotnica Dolna, Poland, to commemorate the pacification that took place on 23 December 1944. Both the accounts provided by the residents of the village and their practices of sharing the memory of the pacification with the next generation show the strong presence of contemporary imaginings of the Second World War. An interpretation of these imaginings from the perspective of memory studies and anthropology indicates the influence of images related to this dramatic event. The emotional load of some of these accounts and their threads lends itself to sharing and copying. The fluent boundaries between the witness accounts, historical and amateur analyses and the places of memory in Ochotnica Dolna create a complex and multithreaded set of imaginings of the past. At the same time, this difficult memory of the pacification is part of the village residents’ identity, as well as being part of the local concept of the “Little Motherland.”

Han Meilin’s style path of creating ancient Chinese character art——Taking “TianShu” as an example

Han Meilin pursued the “beauty of lines, composition, and form” in the genes of ancient Chinese characters through modern “prioritization operation, flexible combination, and two-dimensional and three-dimensional cross-border”. He created a series of works in both Chinese and modern “Tianshu” style, and held an art exhibition in the main building of the Meridian Gate of the Forbidden City. It can be seen that Han Meilin’s style of ancient Chinese characters conforms to the modern aesthetic of Chinese style in the context of contemporary art and design. The article establishes a connection between the formation path of artist style and personality power from the perspective of subjective anthropology, extracts the method of Han Meilin’s transformation of ancient Chinese characters genes, and provides a style path that can be referenced for the development of national art resources in modernity.

Transmission, cultural significance, and social dynamics of the Ti-Tzu Ten-Hole bamboo flute in Sichuan Province, China

This study examines the transmission, cultural significance, and social dynamics of the Ti-Tzu ten-hole bamboo flute in Sichuan Province, China. Utilizing a multidisciplinary approach that includes ethnomusicology, anthropology, and social science perspectives, the research explores how this traditional instrument is taught, practiced, and preserved. Data were collected through interviews, participant observation, and archival research, focusing on formal education, master-apprentice relationships, and community engagement. The findings reveal that the Ti-Tzu flute symbolizes cultural identity and heritage, deeply embedded in local narratives and communal practices. The study also highlights modernization's dual role, which presents challenges and opportunities for the tradition's revitalization. Technological integration and global engagement have expanded the reach of the Ti-Tzu tradition, attracting new audiences and practitioners. Support from family, community, and institutions is crucial for sustaining the tradition and fostering intergenerational transmission and cultural pride. This research underscores the dynamic interplay between tradition and modernity, ensuring that the Ti-Tzu ten-hole bamboo flute inspires and resonates with future generations as a vibrant symbol of Chinese cultural heritage.

PANAI PRACTICES: UNRAVELING SOCIETAL DYNAMICS IN MARRIAGE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MIGRANT BUGIS TRIBE UNDER ADAT LAW

This study delves into the intricate societal dynamics surrounding the practice of Panai as the marriage requirement for the migrant Bugis Tribe under Adat Law. Panai, a traditional ceremony in Bugis culture, plays a pivotal role in marriage arrangements. Through a multidisciplinary approach, encompassing anthropological, legal, and cultural perspectives, the research seeks to unravel the implications and intricacies of Panai practices. Interviews, case studies, and historical analyses contribute to an in-depth exploration of how Panai influences marital unions within the Bugis Tribe, shedding light on the cultural and legal nuances that shape this traditional marriage requirement.

The Participation between Indigenous Empowerment and State Normalization

The present work starts from a social and systematic anthropological perspective with its epistemological limitations and openings with a constant analytical and methodological deconstruction within the framework of critical and reflexive practices. We will seek to understand the dynamics and implications of the normative, historical and structural relations between the State and indigenous peoples in two working spaces: the Provincial Council of Indigenous Affairs (CPAI) located in La Plata, and the comanagement in Bariloche located within the National Parks Administration (APN). Therefore, we will investigate and analyze a heterogeneous corpus that includes legal and administrative materials composed of a particular language and logic of state bureaucracy. In this context, we will observe these dynamics and tensions through the legal personality as a case of analysis of such strategic uses by indigenous people to reaffirm themselves as communities and, at the same time, this process translated into a normative “waiting” as a control mechanism. This will allow us to understand the historical, normative and structural relations with the State and participation as the main dimension of work.