Cultural Milieu Research Articles

Islamic work ethics in a complex, conflicted cultural milieu: The case of indigenous Palestinian Arab high school teachers in Israel

This study focuses on Islamic work ethics (IWE) among Indigenous Palestinian Arab high school teachers in Israel. With the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, this predominantly Muslim Palestinian Arab minority experienced rapid socioeconomic change, as well as repression of its socio-political and cultural background and values. Despite its incorporation into a Western-oriented country, the core principles of Islam continue to have broad influence on the Palestinian Arab minority in Israel, as well as applications to many areas of life, including work values. The study sample included 1245 high school teachers. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were utilized to establish a reliable model of IWE, resulting in two reliable IWE dimensions: “dedication and social responsibility at work” and “independence, diligence, and achievement at work.” Indigenous Palestinian Arab teachers reported high IWE levels, although this differed by gender and age group. The IWE scale appears to be a valuable measure for describing the work-related values of Indigenous Palestinian Arab high school teachers in Israel.

Fa‘atama: Indigenous Tomboys of Sāmoa

This paper acknowledges that queerness has always existed in the tropics, especially in Sāmoa. In traditional Sāmoan life, there has always been more than two genders. While much attention has been given to fa‘afafine, we seek to raise the visibility of another queer group, fa’atama (formally fa‘atane) or tomboys—Sāmoans assigned female at birth (AFAB), who either identify as masculine, are attracted to females, or both. Not only is this group marginalised on the world stage, but also within Sāmoan and Pacific culture, which has suppressed their lives and identities. In the context of a very specific historical and cultural milieu, we examine three recent representations—in poetry, fiction, and film—of queer AFAB Sāmoans in order to privilege their stories.

Mythological Figures in Garo Lores

Oral literature can be considered the earliest form of literature in any literary tradition, preceding the written form. It signifies originality, adaptability, and fluidity, thereby contributing to the evolution of literature. The Garos possess a diverse collection of oral narratives that have been passed down through generations. This oral tradition is deeply ingrained in the communal consciousness, serving as a reflection of the community's ethos. Within these oral compositions lie ancient and authentic lexicons that are meticulously preserved in their traditional sayings, songs, legends, proverbs, rituals, and incantations. This paper endeavors to examine the mythological entities present in Garo folklore, meticulously preserved through oral traditions by the ancestors. Myths, as repositories of communal history, chronicle the vicissitudes of kingdoms and encapsulate the essence of a community's past. They not only mirror the people but also foster unity, continuity, and coherence within a cultural milieu.

Corporate Philanthropy and Corporate Reputation During a Global Health Crisis

The aim of the study is to examine the nexus between corporate philanthropy (CP) and corporate reputation (CR) from the perspective of a global health emergency, cultural orientation, and African context. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey design. A purposive sampling procedure was adopted in the selection of 200 respondents and data were collected from the 200 respondents (Recipients of palliatives) through a structured questionnaire. Considering organizations as the unit of analysis, the data were aggregated, averaged and analyzed through paired (dependent-sample) t-tests, multivariate regression and moderation analysis. The results demonstrate that corporate philanthropy before and during the pandemic had a positive effect on corporate reputation, there was a significant difference in the perceived corporate reputation before and during the COVID-19 pandemic while cultural orientation and COVID-19 health crisis orientation moderated the relationship between CP and CR during the pandemic. This study is the first of its kind to empirical examine the link between CP and CR from the lens of cultural milieu, global health emergency of COVID-19 and in African context. The study contributed to management theory and practice through critical findings from the dimension of a global health crisis.

The impacts of culture and diversity considering anti-bias education: preschool teachers’ views and needs

ABSTRACT The contemporary early childhood education environment is characterised by greater diversity among children, necessitating a sensitive approach to addressing these differences. This study aims to examine preschool teachers’ perspectives on the impact of their backgrounds on differences in anti-bias education (ABE) and their needs to adapt to these differences. This qualitative study was a case study, employing a nested single-subject design. The data were obtained via surveys and subjected to content analysis. A total of 54 preschool teachers participated in the study, selected through the convenience sampling method from seven regions of Turkey. The findings indicated that teachers operating within a cultural milieu analogous to their own demonstrated a greater capacity to adapt to both the children and their families. It was more straightforward for them to prepare their educational processes and environment. Furthermore, it was identified that participants require training in ABE for the purposes of personal and professional development. Ultimately, adaptations were made to learning processes and environments in response to differences, particularly in the case of children with disabilities. The findings of this study highlight the significance of cultural and diversity factors on teachers’ personal and professional growth.

Folkloric Imagery and Revolutionary Vision in Kofi Anyidoho’s A Harvest of Our Dreams: With Elegy for the Revolution

Folklore is one of the core cultural values in traditional societies and writers who are conscious of its aesthetic relevance deploy it in their creative works. Folktale elicits imagery which underscores the relationship of humanity with nature and mythical elements. Writers exploit this relationship to establish traditionalism and pursue revolutionary vision in their works. Anyidoho uses his affiliation to, and understanding of, the Ewe cultural (one of the traditional societies in Ghana) milieu to comment on issues that are germane to the existence of the people in A Harvest of Our Dreams: With Elegy for the Revolution. This paper, through examination of some of the poems in the collection with Raymond Williams’s Cultural Materialism revealed that the poet, with poetic devices, uses folklore and traditional images to advocate for revolution in his society. The paper comes to the conclusion that the poems in the collection are replete with folklore and traditional imagery, which the poet deploys with poetic essence to satirise failings in his society.

Cross-cultural adaptation, reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the Smart Tools Proneness Questionnaire (STP-Q).

This study elucidates the cross-cultural adaptation, reliability, and validity of the Turkish version of the Smart Tools Proneness Questionnaire (STP-Q), designed to probe into individuals' engagement with smart tools within the Turkish cultural milieu. Undertaking a rigorous adaptation process, this investigation aimed to ensure the questionnaire's relevance and intelligibility, subsequently, assessing its psychometric properties within a cohort of 387 participants. The exploratory factor analysis revealed a tripartite structure that reflects the original instrument, covering utilitarian use, hedonic and social use, and the inclination to delegate tasks. This congruity underscores the STP-Q's adeptness in capturing the complex dimensions of smart tool interaction across various contexts. Demonstrated by a Cronbach's alpha of 0.954 and a test-retest reliability index of 0.851, the results affirm the questionnaire's exceptional internal consistency and significant temporal stability. Further, the execution of convergent validity assessments alongside the E-Learning Readiness Scale and the Nomophobia Questionnaire augmented the STP-Q's validity, unveiling correlations that delineate the intricate interrelations among smart tool proneness, e-learning readiness, and nomophobia. Conclusively, the STP-Q distinguishes itself as a reliable and valid instrument for gauging tendencies towards smart tool use among the Turkish populace, providing profound insights into digital behavior across different cultural backgrounds. Its confirmed three-factor structure and robust psychometric attributes render it an indispensable resource for both individual assessments and expansive digital behavior investigations, enabling cross-cultural comparisons and enhancing our understanding of technology engagement dynamics.

Cinema, literature and looking at the world from Naples

This interview focuses on first-hand insights into Mario Martone’s cinematographic work. It presents the accurate transcription of an engaging conversation with the filmmaker held at the University of Sussex on 8 December 2023. By discussing the inspiration behind some of his most successful films – specifically L’amore molesto (Troubling Love) (1995), Il giovane favoloso (Leopardi) (2014), Nostalgia (2022) and the docufilm Laggiù qualcuno mi ama (Massimo Troisi: Somedody Down There Likes Me) (2023) – the reader will feel captivatingly guided by Martone into the fascinating relationship between cinema and literature, and on the difficulties of love as ‘a longing that drives us all’. The role that the cultural milieu of Martone’s birthplace, Naples, had in his career and artistic creativity will also help to understand both the realistic and mythological dimensions of his cinema.

A multicultural comparative study of self-stigma in epilepsy: Differences across four cultures.

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures, exhibiting variance in prevalence and treatment availability across diverse geopolitical contexts and cultural milieus. The stigma associated with epilepsy is a significant global issue affecting the quality of life (QOL) of people with epilepsy (PWE). This study aims to examine the relationship between self-stigma and depressive symptoms in PWE, with a particular emphasis on understanding the manifestations of these across different cultural contexts. We aim to enhance the provision of customized care to diverse cultural settings, fostering the adoption of healthier lifestyles for PWE. We recruited PWE who received treatment at specialized medical facilities for epilepsy in Japan, Malaysia (Chinese, Malay), and Turkey from February to October 2023. The Epilepsy Self-Stigma Scales (ESSS), Neurological Disorders Depression Inventory for Epilepsy (NDDI-E), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD-7) in local languages were used to assess self-stigma, depressive symptoms, and anxiety. The ESSS total scores were significantly higher among the Turkish and Japanese cohorts (F [3, 406] = 6.57, p < 0.001, η2 = 0.05). In addition, the self-stigma observed moderate positive correlations for depressive symptoms (rs = 0.41-0.50, Ps < 0.001) and anxiety (rs = 0.42-0.44, Ps < 0.001). The ANCOVA findings suggested that the notable variations in self-stigma, as found in the one-way ANOVA conducted across four cultures, were reduced when taking into consideration depressed symptoms. Our finding highlights the potential influence of mental health factors over cultural factors concerning self-stigma. The manifestation of self-stigmatization within epilepsy exhibits distinctions across diverse cultural cohorts, regardless of the demographic and clinical variation, yet demonstrates a significant correlation with psychological factors. In subsequent research endeavors, we should comprehensively investigate these subtle differences, their potential impact on patient care, and the development of supportive approaches. This cross-cultural study reveals significant variations in self-stigma among people with epilepsy across different cultural contexts, with Turkish and Japanese cohorts showing higher levels. Self-stigma demonstrated moderate positive correlations with depressive symptoms and anxiety across all cultures. Notably, differences in self-stigma were reduced when accounting for depressive symptoms, suggesting that mental health factors may have a stronger influence than cultural factors. These findings underscore the importance of considering both cultural and psychological aspects in developing targeted interventions to address self-stigma in epilepsy care.

War as a game: the pleasurable and playful aspects of the Italian Arditi’s military experiences in the First World War

This article proposes that several First World War Italian shock troops known as Arditi were strongly influenced in their wartime combat activities by fun and play. Even before becoming stormtroopers, various soldiers were guided by a tendency to see the Great War as ludic or athletic event. Such proclivity stemmed from these servicemen’s distinctive political cultures and ideologies. As a result of their viewpoints, these servicemen had already fought intensely in the initial stages of their military service. Additionally, the Italian army vastly increased the combat effectiveness and violent tendencies of recruits to the Arditi corps by making recourse to fun and play while training these prospective stormtroopers. An intense sports-based drilling regimen improved soldiers’ physical agility, while also nurturing their instinctive hostile behaviour. This article shows how Italian soldiers’ cultural and ideological milieus and military drilling increased their fighting power, including their propensity to enact violence against enemies.

Local Belief and the Negotiation of EFL Teachers’ Identity in an Asian Country

Aim. This study investigates the local belief and the negotiation of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers' identity within the Asian context. Methods. Framed within the Martha Pennington (2014) model, this qualitative research examines the complex interplay between local beliefs and the participants’ identity formation through in-depth interviews. The data was collected from three (3) EFL teachers operating at local Asian schools. Results. The findings reveal the significance of local beliefs in shaping teachers' instructional practices, classroom interactions, and professional identities. This research sheds light on the dynamic nature of EFL pedagogy in culturally diverse settings as it underscores the dialectical process through which EFL teachers negotiate their identities within the local cultural and educational milieu. Conclusions. It can be concluded that this research contributes to the field of EFL education by highlighting the need for teacher training programmes that address the diverse cultural and contextual factors that influence the formation of EFL teachers' identities.

Approaches towards legal protection for holy places: The example of the Alexander Nevsky Church in the Old City of Jerusalem

Abstract Given the varying degrees of importance that a holy place holds for different parties and the variety of laws used to regulate them, laws pertaining to holy places integrate a broad array of legal, political, social, religious, and economic interests. Acknowledging the difficulty of capturing a singular standard of protection merits examining different existing modalities to discern the means of protection for holy places. A 2022 Israeli District Court case concerning ownership rights over a Russian Orthodox church in the Old City of Jerusalem shall provide the platform for scrutinizing the relevant laws and variety of interests at play for holy places in Israel, providing insights into the importance of accounting for divergent interests in the cultural heritage protection milieu. This article shall highlight the approaches used towards holy place protection in a difficult and complex context, Israel, to better understand heritage protection methods for unique or significant cultural sites in other regions.

The New Qualitative Ecology of Cultural Studies and the Diverse Pathways of Inquiry within Museum SEZs

The intricate interplay between human economic and social constructs and the cultural milieu engenders a multifaceted and dynamic ecosystem. Within the perpetual evolution of nascent economic urban centres, cultural ecology underscores the imperative of harmonizing and mutually reinforcing economic frameworks with cultural landscapes. This investigation advances a novel conceptual framework delineating the economic-cultural interplay within contemporary Chinese burgeoning urban landscapes, particularly emphasizing the sustainability of cultural ecology. Pioneering in its approach, this research offers a groundbreaking analysis unprecedentedly through the prism of museums. The findings elucidate that museums exhibit remarkable adaptability to emerging urban economic paradigms, thereby catalyzing the enhancement of cultural ecosystems and emerging as verdant bastions fostering the endurance of urban cultural landscapes.

Reading Nick Joaquin: Magic Realism and Filipino Psyche

The term ‘magic realism’ extensively refers to the style of writing or technique that includes magical and supernatural events narrated realistically. This research investigates the elements of magic realism in Nick Joaquin’s select short stories, The Mass of St. Sylvestre, Dona Jeronima, and May Day Eve, as juxtaposed with reality, specifically on the magic realism and realities, cultural milieu, and Filipino psyche. The assumption is supported by the literary theories of Mary Ann Cain’s Formalism Theory, Homi K. Bhaba’s Postcolonialism Theory, and Aristotle’s Mimetic Theory. This research uses qualitative methods and discourse analysis. The findings of this study demonstrate that the existence of magic realism juxtaposes with the realities, the cultural milieu displays the different Filipino culture and identity, and the Filipino psyche is depicted in the other short stories. Based on the findings of this research, it has been found that the elements of magic realism and realities are revealed in Nick Joaquin’s selected Philippine short fiction, namely, The Mass of St. Sylvestre, Dona Jeronima, and May Day Eve. In the future, a more in-depth and advanced study focusing on a unified theme of the plot, characterization, and setting could be done to reveal the prevalence of magic realism as juxtaposed with reality. Specific conflicts could be studied for a deeper understanding of the cultural milieu, and more stories could be used to reveal the Filipino psyche of ordinary Filipinos.

Interpreting the space characteristics of everyday heritage gardens of Suzhou, China, through a spacce syntax approach

ABSTRACT China’s everyday heritage gardens, epitomizing social and spatial logic through classical layouts, offer a window into the nexus between Chinese culture and spatial design. Using space syntax and statistical methods, we examined 27 such gardens in Suzhou, categorizing them into four groups by spatial attributes. We first quantified building spatial traits, then delved into their syntactical relationships, guiding the final clustering. Cluster A, with 17 gardens, marries architectural diversity with spatial harmony, ensuring navigability. Cluster B’s seven gardens prioritize open landscapes, minimizing buildings for clarity. Cluster C, comprising two expansive gardens, blends architectural variety with spatial coherence, albeit with some navigational complexity. Unique, Cluster D, solely Yi Garden, presents a rich spatial and architectural tapestry, demanding deeper visitor engagement. This work sheds light on the intertwining of garden design and spatial structures, underscoring influences like ownership and cultural milieu, suggesting broader applicability to heritage gardens.

When assisted reproductive technology (ART) opens the door for inclusivity in a highly charged cultural milieu: an exploration of news articles on the establishment of ART clinics in Zimbabwe

The study focuses on how infertility and assisted reproductive technology (ART) have been portrayed in the Zimbabwean print news media, specifically looking at articles related to the country’s two private fertility clinics established in 2016 and 2017 respectively. Through thematic analysis of 35 news articles, seven prominent themes were developed: infertility as an undesirable and stigmatised condition; stress and the feminisation of infertility; the impact of societal and familial pressure to have children; ART as a ray of hope for infertile couples; growing acceptance of ART; availability, accessibility and affordability of ART; and the use of alternative medicines to cure infertility. The research highlights the coexistence of traditional medicine and ART in Zimbabwe, as well as the impact of stigma, pressure, and gender dynamics on infertile couples. Study findings signal how costly ART treatments may drive individuals towards potentially harmful traditional remedies. They also underscore the need for increased awareness of infertility, efforts to reduce stigma, and addressing barriers to ART access, particularly for men. Overall, findings shed light on the complexities surrounding infertility in Zimbabwe and the importance of addressing these issues in pursuit of better reproductive healthcare outcomes.

African Entrepreneurship in urban colonial Zimbabwe: The case of Highfield, 1953–1965

Abstract This paper examines the importance of Highfield to the African entrepreneurship history of colonial Zimbabwe, then known as Southern Rhodesia. The Southern Rhodesia colonial state established the township of Highfield in its capital city, Salisbury (now Harare), in 1936 as part of its spatial and racial segregation policy. The policy made Africans temporary residents in the urban areas. However, the post-Second World War industrial growth forced the colonial state to revisit its stance on African urbanisation. Seen as critical for the expanding manufacturing sector, African labour now had to be accommodated in the urban areas, which triggered the colonial state to expand the township of Highfield in 1956. That very year, enterprising Africans responded by taking up the expanded township’s entrepreneurial opportunities. This response and the subsequent evolution of African entrepreneurship in Highfield township are the focus of this paper. The paper provides a historical kaleidoscope of Highfield as a place of African entrepreneurship, which thus far has been occluded and separated from the dominant literature on the township’s role in the rise of African nationalism and anti-colonial struggles. Highfield emerged as a cultural milieu hosting an African Renaissance in food, fashion and lifestyle inspired by a mix of modernity and indigenous ethos. Thus, the paper argues that Highfield was the entrepreneurial centre of various businesses and startups. These colourful stories of African entrepreneurship are gleaned from handwritten business stand applications by African traders, archival documents, and newspapers in piecing together an urban history of African entrepreneurship in the township of Highfield in colonial Zimbabwe.

Theory of Origin, Administration and Decline of the Great Vijayanagar Kingdom in South Asia

The Vijayanagar Empire is one of the most prominent and well-known empires of South Asia. The empire had arisen in the times of the Delhi Sultanate and sustained for more than a period of three Centuries. It saw four dynasties and its share wars and conflicts with neighboring Muslim forces. Vijayanagar Empire also had an admirable administration system, in the sense that it is counted as highly centralized, just and elaborate. This research paper seeks to examine the administrative and political structure of the Vijayanagar Empire and various nuances related to the same. In this research explores various facets of Vijayanagar’s grand history by critically examining various historical interpretations, including nationalist, colonial, and postcolonial perspectives. The approach seeks to provide a comprehensive analysis of the complex factors that influenced its ascent and subsequent decline. It seeks to examine the view foreign travelers like Ibn Batuta, Fernao Nuniz and Dominigos Paes and accounts of prominent historians Ferishta that lived during the time of Vijayanagar like to the modern Scholars like Robert Sewell and Nilakanta Sastri in order to present comprehensive historiographical understanding on the Vijaynagar empire. The Vijayanagara Empire’s profound and enduring impact on the historical and cultural milieu of South India has left an indelible imprint across various domains, including art, architecture, literature, and societal practices. Through a meticulous examination of the ascendance and decline of this ancient civilization, one can glean invaluable insights into the intricate processes underpinning the formation and disintegration of polities in premodern South Asian contexts This research paper uses a variety of sources to shed light on the administrative and political conditions of the Vijayanagar Empire. It also sheds light on the changes in State Structure across the four dynasties, the impact of the administrative system on Justice, the impact of religion on State Politics and finally, the political factors that ultimately led to the end of the Greatest South Indian Empire in the Country.

What You Heard Is What You Wrote: Dynamic Readings of ʿilm and adab Narratives in the Islamicate World

Abstract This article explores how the concepts of ʿilm and adab (knowledge and exemplary behavior) merged in formative Arabic literature and reached Al-Andalus. Originating in a proto-Sunni cultural milieu, different works were recycled across the Islamic world, giving rise to new literary adaptations and patterns of meaning. With the use of computational analysis, the data has revealed juxtaposed reuse practices. This contribution has found that early Andalusi works initially mirrored Eastern sources, gradually transitioning into a more specialized form of knowledge and performance, based on the legitimization of the authority of scholars during the challenging Taifa period.

Motivations for hazing in collegiate settings: Employing situational strength to identify, disrupt, and construct

AbstractHazing is motivated by numerous psychosocial phenomena embedded in the broader cultural milieu. The identification and deconstruction of these motivators presents an especially unique pathway to eliminating harmful and dangerous behaviors. The application of situational strength to hazing prevention offers a robust and applicable framework to help administrators and professionals impactfully disrupt hazing and reshape the larger campus and organizational ecology to support healthier joining experiences.