Asian Folk Research Articles

Development of Southeast Asian Folk Dance from the Perspective of Artistic Anthropology

Development of Southeast Asian Folk Dance from the Perspective of Artistic Anthropology

다문화 교육을 위한 남아시아 민요의 가무악(歌舞樂) 수업 적용

다문화 교육을 위한 남아시아 민요의 가무악(歌舞樂) 수업 적용

Diligence and intelligence in “Makato and the Cowrie Shell” and “Ang Pagong at Ang Matsing”

A comparative study of folk tales between Thailand and the Philippines is conducted. Thailand's "Makato and the Cowrie Shell" and the Philippines' "Ang Pagong at ang Matsing" are studied and compared using pre-identified areas of comparison, which include orality, characters, setting, plot, conflict, theme, and moral lesson. Content analysis is used as a critical lens in the study of these two famous Asian folk tales. This comparative literature study reveals that both folk tales share common Asian values of thrift, hard work, diligence, and intelligence. The findings also show the strong agricultural background of these two Asian countries, which is depicted in the concept of planting found in both stories. This portrayal highlights how farming is an important communal work that engages members of society.

Formulation of herbal ointment for assessment of wound healing activity from leaves

has been extensively used as a nutrient herb in traditional Vietnamese remedies for the treatment of various diseases. (Wild.) are widely used plants in Asian folk and traditional medicines. In the present study, we have tried to find out the Phytoconstituents, wound healing activity of the Ethanolic extracts of these plants. It’s been showed that totally different a part of Launaea sarmentosa species as well as leaves, flowers, seed, root, and aerial half possess ethno botanic values could be a crawl herb, native to coastal areas in India, Africa (east coast, Mauritius, and South Asia etc.

Gypenoside ameliorates insulin resistance and hyperglycemia via the AMPK-mediated signaling pathways in the liver of type 2 diabetes mellitus mice

Gynostemma pentaphyllum, also called “Southern Ginseng” in China, is a traditional Asian folk medicinal plant. Gypenosides (Gps) are the biologically active constituents of G. pentaphyllum, which have been reported with hypoglycemic activity. However, the underlying mechanisms are unclear. The effects of two Gps (Gp-I and Gp-II) on type 2 diabetic mellitus (T2DM) mice, induced by high-fat and high-sugar diet and streptozotocin, were evaluated to explore the mechanism of their hypoglycemic actions. Gps reduced fasting blood glucose and serum lipids, as well as significantly improved T2DM mice glucose tolerance and insulin resistance (IR). After Gps treatment, the severity of liver injury was reduced and liver glycogen content increased. In addition, Gps promoted the phosphorylation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and downregulated the key proteins phosphoenolpyruvate carboxy kinase and glucose-6 phosphatase, in the AMPK signaling pathway. Thus, our study suggests that Gps mediate hepatic gluconeogenesis and improve IR via activating AMPK signaling pathway in T2DM mice.

The triterpenoid sapogenin (2\u03b1-OH-Protopanoxadiol) ameliorates metabolic syndrome via the intestinal FXR/GLP-1 axis through gut microbiota remodelling

Gypenosides, extracts of Gynostemma yixingense, have been traditionally prescribed to improve metabolic syndrome in Asian folk and local traditional medicine hospitals. However, the mechanism of its action remains unclarified. In this work, our results indicated that chronic administration of 2α-OH-protopanoxadiol (GP2), a metabolite of gypenosides in vivo, protected mice from high-fat diet-induced obesity and improved glucose tolerance by improving intestinal L-cell function. Mechanistically, GP2 treatment inhibited the enzymatic activity of bile salt hydrolase and modulated the proportions of the gut microbiota, which led to an increase in the accumulation of tauro-β-muricholic acid (TβMCA) in the intestine. TβMCA induced GLP-1 production and secretion by reducing the transcriptional activity of nuclear receptor farnesoid X receptor (FXR). Transplantation of GP2-remodelled fecal microbiota into antibiotic-treated mice also increased the intestinal TβMCA content and improved intestinal L-cell function. These findings demonstrate that GP2 ameliorates metabolic syndrome at least partly through the intestinal FXR/GLP-1 axis via gut microbiota remodelling and also suggest that GP2 may serve as a promising oral therapeutic agent for metabolic syndrome.

Evolution and Assessment of South Asian Folk Music: A Study of Social and Religious Perspective

This paper describes how South Asian folk music figured out from the ancient era and people discovered its individual form after ages. South Asia has too many colorful nations and they owned different culture from the very beginning. Folk music is like a treasure of South Asian culture. According to history, South Asian people established themselves here as a nation (Arya) before five thousand years from today and started to live with native people. So a perfect mixture of two ancient nations and their culture produced a new South Asia. This paper explores the massive changes that happened to South Asian folk music which creates several ways to correspond to their root and how they are different from each other. After many natural disasters and political changes, South Asian people faced many socio-economic conditions but there was the only way to share their feelings. They articulated their sorrows, happiness, wishes, prayers, and love with music, celebrated social and religious festivals all the way through music. As a result, bunches of folk music are being created with different lyrics and tune in every corner of South Asia.

The Development of Museums of Pharmacy in Post-Soviet Countries

Pharmacy museums play a significant role in the study of the history of medicine and pharmacy. They have spread all over the world, ranging from large enterprises to small and local—often private institutions—that have limited budgets and rely on volunteers for curators and guides. My research focuses on narratives at the museums of pharmacy in former Soviet countries. The region in question is a unique blend of Eastern and Western medical traditions. The area’s rich medico-pharmaceutical heritage includes pharmaceutical practices based on the works of Avicenna, a native of modern-day Uzbekistan, whom Uzbeks consider to be the father of their medicine and pharmacy. Other healing traditions encompass Central Asian folk and shamanic practices, herb pharmaceuticals, and Soviet medicine and pharmacy. This paper analyzes the content and the reliability of post-Soviet pharmacy museums.

The Development of Museums of Pharmacy in Post-Soviet Countries

Pharmacy museums play a significant role in the study of the history of medicine and pharmacy. They have spread all over the world, ranging from large enterprises to small and local—often private institutions—that have limited budgets and rely on volunteers for curators and guides. My research focuses on narratives at the museums of pharmacy in former Soviet countries. The region in question is a unique blend of Eastern and Western medical traditions. The area’s rich medico-pharmaceutical heritage includes pharmaceutical practices based on the works of Avicenna, a native of modern-day Uzbekistan, whom Uzbeks consider to be the father of their medicine and pharmacy. Other healing traditions encompass Central Asian folk and shamanic practices, herb pharmaceuticals, and Soviet medicine and pharmacy. This paper analyzes the content and the reliability of post-Soviet pharmacy museums.

Evaluation of lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury attenuation in mice by Glycyrrhiza glabra

Objective: The medicinal importance of Glycyrrhiza glabra is well reported in Asian folk core medicine. In the current study, we have investigated the treatment effects of ethanolic extract of G. glabra in acute lung injury (ALI) mice models. Materials and Methods: ALI murine models were established by intratracheal instillation of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was prepared for measuring cell migration and cell count, protein content, and superoxidase dismutase (SOD) activity. Lung tissues were collected for evaluating the wet-to-dry weight ratio, messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine, and histological change. Results: It was observed that the treatment of ALI mice significantly decreased the total cell count and exudation of protein into BALF. Further, SOD activity in BALF of LPS-induced ALI mice was greatly improved when treated with G. glabra extract at 200 or 400 mg/kg of body weight, and the SOD activity increased in a dose-response manner. Evaluation of lung wet-to-dry weight ratio, pro-inflammatory mRNA expression levels, and histologic examination of lung tissues indicates that plant extract has significantly attenuated the tissue injury. Conclusions: The results showed that G. glabra had a protective effect on LPS-induced ALI in mice which might be contributed due to diverse phytoconstituents of the plant extract. To fulfill the unmet needs of treating ALI, the active principles in G. glabra could be promising lead-alternative therapy to develop high-potent anti-inflammation agents for ALI.

Immune Modulation of Asian Folk Herbal Medicines and Related Chemical Components for Cancer Management.

Various exciting immunotherapies aiming to address immune deficiency induced by tumor and treatment hold promise in improving the quality of life and survival rate of cancer patients. It is thus becoming an important and rewarding arena to develop some appropriate immune modulators for cancer prevention and/or treatment. Exploitation of natural products-based immune modulators is of particular imperative because the potential of numerous traditional herbal medicines and edible mushrooms in boosting human immune system has long been verified by folklore practices. This review summarizes the immune modulations of various herbal medicines and edible mushrooms, their crude extracts, and/or key chemical components that have been, at least partly, associated with their cancer management. This article also tabulates the origin of species, key chemical components, and clinical studies of these herbal medicines and edible mushrooms.

The effect of Descurainia sophia oil on methamphetamine-induced cell cytotoxicity and cell death in PC12

Methamphetamine causes cytotoxicity and apoptosis in different cell lines. It seems that Descurainia sophia oil, as an East Asian folk herbal drug, can suppress the methamphetamine-induced cell death. In this study, protective effects of Descurainia sophia oil were followed up in methamphetamine-induced cell cytotoxicity in a neuron-like PC12 cell line. The viability, proliferation, and cytotoxicity of the cells were assessed by Trypan blue, MTT test, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay, respectively. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) test was performed to detect DNA fragmentation and apoptosis. Nitric oxide (NO) level was detected by Griese method. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, interferon gamma (INF-γ), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) pro-inflammatory cytokines were measured by Rat Kit V-Plex, and finally, caspase-3 activity was determined by spectrophotometry. Results showed that Descurainia sophia oil has cell death–suppressing effects on PC12 cells. It enhanced the cell viability and proliferation and also increased the cell cytotoxicity and cell death index in methamphetamine-treated PC12 cells. Also, it suppressed NO production, inflammatory cytokine production by flow cytometry, mitochondrial membrane depolarization, and caspase-3 activity in a dose-dependent manner. We concluded that Descurainia sophia oil suppresses the methamphetamine-induced cell death in PC12 cell due to reduction of NO production, inflammation, and inhibition of apoptosis cascade.

What should happen, but has not yet happened: Painterly tales of justice

South Asian folk and vernacular art practices have invariably been presented in scholarly writings as ‘tradition-bound’ with fixed conventions of image-making and iconography embedded in ritual and cultural life. This article proposes a shift by drawing attention to the lifeworlds and painterly practices of young women artists from the Mithila region of Bihar in India. Relatedly, then, I foreground a set of paintings, which are contemplations on a specific form of matrimonial violence in India—the terrifying murder of brides by dousing them with kerosene and burning them alive for bringing insufficient dowry. What is notable about these paintings is the ways in which the young women artists articulate the spectre of dowry violence and death using pictorial resources and techniques that are typically Maithil in signature. The paintings, in the process, create a community of spectators, whose participation in art’s performance makes the picture surface both visible and legible. Each painting, with its intimate narration of dowry violence, teases out different dynamics between tradition and violence, on the one hand, and violence and justice, on the other. Using visual resources of fragmentation and juxtaposition, centring and repetition, ambivalence and excess, the artists contest the ‘official’ imagery and iconography of justice made available in the name of blindfolded Justitia. I argue that the creative imagination of young artists and their artworks inhabit legally plural worlds, where justice for the bride is evoked by renouncing the workings of state law. And, we might add, it is by foregrounding ‘a possibility of exile, of there being an “elsewhere”’ (Das 1999) is what makes ‘worldmaking’ possible.

Yoshihiro Nikaidō, Asian Folk Religion and Cultural Interaction

华人研究国际学报Vol. 10, No. 02, pp. 123-125 (2018) 书评No AccessYoshihiro Nikaidō, Asian Folk Religion and Cultural Interaction曲晓雷曲晓雷弗吉尼亚大学人类学系 , 美国 Search for more papers by this author https://doi.org/10.1142/S1793724818000214Cited by:0 PreviousNext AboutSectionsPDF/EPUB ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsRecommend to Library ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditEmail (Göttingen: V&R Unipress; Taipei: National Taiwan University Press, 2015), pp. 1–230. FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Recommended Vol. 10, No. 02 Metrics History PDF download

Elements of Turkic Mythology in the Tibetan Document P.T. 1283

The well-known Tibetan document P.T. 1283 is a unique historical source that contains significant information about mid-8th century Central Asia. Discovered at Dunhuang 敦煌 in 1908, P.T. 1283 is kept today in the collection Pelliot tibétain at the Bibliothèque nationale de France in Paris. One side of the document is in Chinese and the other side contains two different Tibetan texts. The title of the second Tibetan text, Byang phyogs na rgyal po du bzhugs pa'i rabs gyi yi geo (BNP), was translated into English by Venturi as Text on the sequence of however many kings live in the north, containing several myths belonging to the Türk (Tujue 突厥, Göktürks) and Kyrgyz. In conclusion, the Turkic myths narrated in P.T. 1283 are reflections of a very large collection of Central Asian folk beliefs, exemplified in numerous historical sources.

Elements of Turkic Mythology in the Tibetan Document P.T. 1283

The well-known Tibetan document P.T. 1283 is a unique historical source that contains significant information about mid-8th century Central Asia. Discovered at Dunhuang 敦煌 in 1908, P.T. 1283 is kept today in the collection Pelliot tibétain at the Bibliothèque nationale de France in Paris. One side of the document is in Chinese and the other side contains two different Tibetan texts. The title of the second Tibetan text, Byang phyogs na rgyal po du bzhugs pa'i rabs gyi yi geo (BNP), was translated into English by Venturi as Text on the sequence of however many kings live in the north, containing several myths belonging to the Türk (Tujue 突厥, Göktürks) and Kyrgyz. In conclusion, the Turkic myths narrated in P.T. 1283 are reflections of a very large collection of Central Asian folk beliefs, exemplified in numerous historical sources.

A Study on Multicultural Integrated Education Program using Asian Folk Dance

본 연구의 목적은 다문화교육의 일환으로 아시아 민속무용을 조사하여 이를 바탕으로 통합교육 프로그램을 제안하는 것에 있다. 아시아 다문화 가정은 높은 비율에도 불구하고 소외되고 있다. 다문화 가정 부모 출신국 중 높은 비율을 차지하는 아시아 국가의 민속무용을 조사하여 민속무용 프로그램의 다양성을 구축하고, 통합교육 프로그램 제안을 통해 다문화 교육에 기여하고자 한다. 연구목적을 달성하기 위해 우리나라 초등체육교육과정 표현활동 영역 속 민속무용 프로그램을 분석하고, 중국, 베트남, 일본의 민속무용을 교육과정과 국가 정보기관, 각국의 대학 연구물을 대상으로 자료를 수집하여 분석하였다. 그리고 전문가 협의를 통해 민속무용 다문화 통합교육 프로그램을 제안하였다.

Diuretic and Hypotensive Effect of Morelloflavone from Garcinia dulcis in Two-Kidneys-One-Clip (2K1C) Hypertensive Rat

Morelloflavone, a biflavonoid from Southeast Asian folk medical plant Garcinia dulcis, possesses powerful antioxidant activity both in vivo and in vitro. We aimed to evaluate the hypotensive and diuretic effect of morelloflavone in two-kidneys-one-clip (2K1C) renovascular hypertensive rats together with its vasorelaxant mechanism. Male Wistar rats (175±4 g) were undergone 2K1C and sham operation (SO) (n=6, each group). Four weeks after the rats were anesthetized and clearance markers (0.5% para-aminohippuric acid and 1% inulin) were given via a jugular vein (1.6 mL/h/100 g BW) to estimate renal blood flow (RBF) and glomerular filtration rate. The arterial blood pressure (AP) was monitored via a carotid artery and urine samples were collected. After equilibration, either morelloflavone or vehicle (DMSO) was given (0.1 mg/kg BW+5 μg/min/kg BW). Baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) (ΔHR/ΔMAP) was performed by an intravenous injection of 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 32 μg/kg BW phenylephrine (PE) or sodium nitroprusside. The PE-preconstricted isolated thoracic aortic rings (intact and denuded) relaxation were experimented using organ bath technique by cumulative additions of morelloflavaone (10-13-10-5 M) in the presence of specific vasorelaxant inhibitors and expressed as %relaxation from pre-contraction tension. In 2K1C rats, morelloflavone significantly lowered mean AP, increased RBF and increased urine flow rate when compared to vehicle control (138±6 vs. 152±1 mmHg, 3.44±0.49 vs. 2.29±0.25 mL/min/g KW and 42.0±9.4 vs. 18.2±3.9 μL/min/g KW, p<0.05), respectively and also restored the blunt BRS. Nitric oxide signaling pathway triggered by morelloflavone might be responsible for its diuretic and hypotensive effect.

Migration and contemporary Muslim space in Moscow. Contextualizing North Caucasian loud Dhikr and the religious practices of Central Asian Folk Mullas

Over the last fifteen years, the ethnic make-up of Moscow’s mosques has undergone significant change, while the number of practicing Muslims has grown manifold. These quantitative changes are connected with both the internal migration of people from the North Caucasian republics (a migration that had already begun in the early 1990s) and the external migration of natives of Central Asian states, primarily Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kirgizia (a mass migration dating from the 2000s). This paper is dedicated to two phenomena of contemporary Moscow Muslim life – the loud dhikr of the Kunta Hajji wird of the Qadiri tariqa, practiced by Chechens and Ingush; and the religious practices of the Central Asian “uninstitutionalized” mullas. Both spiritual practices are popular and have great significance for a considerable proportion of Moscow Muslims, including those who do not directly participate in them. What both practices have in common is also found in their marginal nature with regard both to institutionalized Moscow Islam and to the fundamentalist trend which is now gathering steam here. This is an attempt to identify some specific features of contemporary Moscow Islam through the analysis of certain practices.

Weight Analysis and Game Study of Innovation and Reform in Asian Folk Sports Education Development

Weight Analysis and Game Study of Innovation and Reform in Asian Folk Sports Education Development