Cultural Practices Research Articles

Llamas, Barter and Travel Rituals: An Ethnographic Study on the Esquela Tusuy Dance of the Uchumiri Peasant Community, Condesuyos, Peru

The “Esquela Tusuy” dance is a cultural manifestation deeply rooted in the Uchumiri Peasant Community (Condesuyos, Peru), reflecting the intersection between traditional cultural practices and community identity. This ethnographic study reveals how the dance, beyond being a mere artistic expression, is a complex system of meanings that articulates social relations, economic practices of barter, and Andean spirituality, through the veneration of Pachamama and Apu Coropuna. The dance is organized around rituals that include the preparation, journey, and return of the llama herders, being a living expression of collective memory and a mechanism of social cohesion. The adopted methodology was based on participant observation and semi-structured interviews, allowing a detailed understanding of Uchumiri’s cultural dynamics. Despite contemporary challenges, “Esquela Tusuy” remains a central pillar for the affirmation of cultural identity and community resistance, underlining the importance of dance in the conservation of cultural heritage and in the articulation of local identities against national narratives.

Lost in translation

Abstract In 1959, Toufic Fahd – a professor of Arabic language, literature, and civilization – made a fortuitous discovery. During a visit to the University of Istanbul, while perusing the University’s library, Fahd stumbled upon an Arabic translation of a Greek work, namely the famous dream interpretation book of Artemidorus, known as the Oneirocritica. The original Greek text is fascinating as it stands as the sole surviving classical work on dream interpretation. The discovery of its later Arabic translation, however, is captivating in its own right. The context of this translation alone is of particular interest to any Islamic historian, having been initially commissioned during the height of the ʿAbbāsid Translation Movement and undertaken by the renowned translator, Ḥunayn Ibn ʾIsḥāq. The intention of the present paper is to compare these texts, highlighting intentional changes made to the content of the Greek work, specifically in instances related to mythology, sexuality, and cultural practices. These changes are noteworthy as they have rendered the Arabic translation as more of a work of interpretation itself, modifying the 2nd century AD Greek text to reflect the realities of its new religious and geographic setting in 9th century Baghdad.

Edible Insects in Slavic Culture: Between Tradition and Disgust

Insects are a conventional food in many cultures worldwide. Why therefore are they treated with aversion by the majority of people in Western countries? The aim of this work is to understand cultural norms and historical practices related to insects that can explain why in the countries of the West it is so difficult to accept them as a foodstuff, and why the disgust that they arouse is more common than in other regions of the world. Insects in Western countries are associated with negative experiences resulting from cultural and religious beliefs, traditions, stories, myths and individual experiences. Although there are species of insect that have positive associations, the high number of negative terms popularized the negative image of these creatures in people’s minds, as a result of which the concept of insects as a foodstuff arouses disgust in the culture of the West. Understanding the aversion to insects will contribute to the broader understanding of consumer attitudes, cultural influences on consumption, or potential shifts in food choices. It also can help develop strategies or methods that will assist in changing this reluctance and encourage the utilization of insects as a food source.

Modelling the enablers of productivity of enterprise-level Agile software development process using modified TISM approach

Purpose This study aims to examine the enablers of productivity of enterprise-level Agile development process using modified total interpretative structural modeling (TISM). The two main objectives of the current study are to determine the variables influencing enterprise-level agile development productivity and to develop modified TISM for the corresponding components. Design/methodology/approach To identify enablers of the productivity of enterprise-level agile software development process a literature review and opinions of domain experts were collected. A hierarchical relationship among variables that show direct and indirect influence is created using the modified TISM (M-TISM) technique with Cross Impact Matrix-Multiplication Applied to Classification analysis. This study examined and analyzed the relationships between the determinants within the enterprise using a M-TISM technique. Findings With the literature review, the study could identify ten enabling factors of the productivity of Agile development process at the enterprise level. Results depict that program increment (PI) planning and scalable backlog management, continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD), agile release trains (ART), agile work culture, delivery excellence, lean and DevOps practices, value stream mapping (VMS), team skills and expertise, collaborative culture, agile coaching, customer engagement have an impact on the productivity of enterprise-level Agile development process. The results show that team collaboration, agile ways of working and customer engagement have a greater impact on productivity improvement for enterprise-level Agile development process. Research limitations/implications The developed model is useful for organizations employing scaled Agile development processes in software development. This study provides a recommended listing of key enablers, that may enable productivity improvements in the Agile development process at the enterprise level. Strategists should focus on team collaboration and Agile project management. This study offers a modified TISM model to academicians to help them understand the effects of numerous variables on maintaining the productivity of an enterprise-level Agile. The identified characteristics and their hierarchical structure can help project managers during the execution of Agile projects at the enterprise level, more effectively, increasing their success and productivity. Originality/value The study addresses the gap in the literature by interpretative relationships between the identified enabling factors. The model validation is carried out by a panel of nine experts from several information technology organizations deploying Agile software development at the enterprise level. This unique method broadens the knowledge base in Agile software development at scale and provides project managers and practitioners with a practical foundation.

Reimagining nutrition education for pregnant adolescents in the face of climate change: a community approach

ObjectivesTo explore challenges with current nutrition education for teenage pregnant women in a drought-prone community in Kenya and to elicit the communities’ suggestions on how to best adapt it in...

COUNTERCULTURAL CHARACTER OF JOHANNINE CHRISTIANITY

The paper presents the rhetorical aspects of Johannine literature and shows the countercultural character of the community that produced it. Although different in genre, content and scope, the Gospels, the three Epistles and the Book of Revelation exude the same countercultural mechanism. To recognise these mechanisms on the literary level, the first part of the paper shows the impulses of countercultural interaction with the audiences. They are marked as a confrontation with religious and political authorities. Being in constant conflict with the Jewish synagogue and God-defying structures of the Greco-Roman world, the Johannine community built its own world. This world is legitimised as countercultural, i.e. constructed in opposition to the prevailing social structures and cultural practices. René Girard's anthropological concept of the scapegoat serves to observe the countercultural basis of Johannine Christianity, which is contained in the Christological symbol of the lamb. In the second part of the paper, examples of the operation of the countercultural mechanism are listed, and how it reshapes cultural practices and social structures is shown. The Johannine motifs of love and sacrifice are crucial in this process. Finally, the paper's conclusion briefly discusses the potential of the countercultural contribution of Johannine literature to Christianity and contemporary society.

Effect of Foliar Application of Potassium Fertilizer on Yield, Fruit Quality, and Cold Hardiness of Vitis spp. ‘Chambourcin’

ABSTRACT Temperate regions experiencing sub-zero temperatures negatively impact grapevine yield. Potassium has been claimed as a cryoprotectant to improve cold hardiness in grapevine. This study investigated the effect of foliar application of liquid potassium-based fertilizer, ReaXTM, on cold-hardiness of grapevine Vitis spp. “Chambourcin” along with its effect on yield and fruit quality. The vines were sprayed four to five times between the fruit set and veraison stage at a concentration of 1.5% (v/v) for two consecutive seasons. Petioles were analyzed for nutrients, clusters for yield and fruit quality, and cold hardiness was determined by differential thermal analysis and bud injury assessment. Potassium deficiency was observed in all treatments, and its content did not increase significantly in treated vines. Berry potassium levels and total soluble solids were generally higher in K-treated vines, however, there was no significant effect on yield and other fruit quality traits. Significant differences in cold hardiness levels were observed in both dormant seasons. Foliar application of potassium is a promising cultural practice to increase cold hardiness, but further studies are needed to understand the limits of its effectiveness.

Display Tradition, Innovative Design —— Regional Culture in the Interior Decoration of the Chinese Museum

With the development of the economy and the improvement of quality of life, people's pursuit of spiritual level is increasingly strengthened. The advancement of globalization and network technology has made cultural exchanges more frequent and poses challenges to local culture. As an important venue for inheriting history and showcasing characteristics, the interior decoration of Chinese museums plays a crucial role in showcasing tradition and innovation. This article aims to explore the embodiment of regional culture and innovative design practices in interior decoration of Chinese museums. By analyzing the functions of museums and the importance of decoration, we reveal the core position of regional culture in decoration. Exploring the embodiment of traditional culture in decoration, emphasizing the value of integrating innovative design with regional culture, and highlighting the importance of museum interior decoration for the inheritance and innovation of regional culture. 

Herbicide Strategies for Weed Control in Rice Cultivation: Current Practices and Future Directions

Rice, as a staple food for more than half of the world's population, plays a crucial role in global food security. However, weed competition poses a significant challenge to rice cultivation, affecting yield and quality. To address this challenge, rice farmers have increasingly turned to chemical herbicides as a cost-effective alternative to labor-intensive manual weeding. This review paper explores the current practices and future directions in herbicide strategies for weed control in rice cultivation, with a specific focus on diverse approaches adopted in various agro-ecological regions, particularly in Pakistan. The paper begins by highlighting the importance of rice cultivation in global agriculture and the economic significance of the crop, emphasizing the need for effective weed management to ensure sustainable production. It discusses the impact of labor shortages and rising labor costs on weed control practices, driving the adoption of chemical herbicides, especially in direct-seeded rice cultivation. Additionally, the review underscores the importance of integrated weed management systems, which combine cultural practices, targeted herbicide applications, and legislative measures to optimize crop productivity while minimizing environmental impact. Furthermore, the paper evaluates the efficacy of different herbicides and their timing of application in managing weeds and maximizing rice yield. It synthesizes findings from recent studies to provide insights into the effectiveness of pre-emergence and post-emergence herbicides, as well as their impact on weed-crop competition and overall crop health. By analyzing the strengths and limitations of existing herbicide strategies, the review identifies opportunities for innovation and improvement in weed management practices. Overall, this review paper offers a comprehensive overview of herbicide strategies for weed control in rice cultivation, highlighting the need for sustainable and integrated approaches to address weed challenges while ensuring food security and environmental sustainability in rice-producing regions.

Investigating medicinal plants for antimicrobial benefits in a changing climate

As the world's climate changes, there is growing concern about how it is affecting human health, including the rise of antimicrobial resistance. Medicinal plants have been used for centuries and their antimicrobial properties have been recognized by many cultures. This article focuses on exploring the potential of medicinal plants for antimicrobial activity in the face of climate change challenges. The article discusses the challenges and opportunities associated with using medicinal plants as a source of new antimicrobial agents, including issues related to the changes in plant chemistry caused by climate change, and the need for sustainable and ethical sourcing practices. The article also examines the importance of traditional knowledge and cultural practices in the development and conservation of medicinal plants. Finally, the article highlights the importance of interdisciplinary research and collaboration in harnessing the potential of medicinal plants for combating antimicrobial resistance in the context of a changing climate.

Cloth Clues : Exploring Forensic Secrets Through Maharashtra’s Rich Fabric Heritage

The present study explores the textile heritage of Maharashtra, with particular attention on the differences in textile use throughout the state's five main regions: Konkan, Vidarbha, Marathwada, Khandesh, and North Maharashtra. Through the use of surveys, in-person interviews, and data analysis, it investigates how environmental conditions, cultural traditions, and societal norms impact fabric choices in each place. The study underscores the cultural importance of traditional attire in Maharashtra and emphasizes how it promotes community cohesion, historical celebration, and cultural identity preservation. The elaborate Vidarbha kurtas and the colourful Konkan sarees, Maharashtra's traditional clothing reflects the region's cultural geography. The main goal of the study is to examine how environmental factors influence fabric preferences in each of the state's regions. For example, the Konkan's humid coastal climate is ideal for lightweight textiles like silk and cotton, but Vidarbha and North Maharashtra's colder climates demand the usage of warmer materials like wollen cloths.Further investigation into regional variations in fabric use entails a look at weaving methods, style trends, and cultural practices. Every area is proud of its unique textile heritage, which displays the artistic customs and skill of its people. Examples are the elaborate Kasuti needlework of Konkan and the silk Paithani sarees of Marathwada.The results of this study will also have a big impact on Maharashtra's methods for investigating crimes and analyzing evidence. Law enforcement officials can more effectively connect evidence to particular places, towns, or people by knowing the fabric selections and cultural customs that are particular to each area. For example, discovering a unique weaving technique or old object at a crime scene can provide important details about the criminal's upbringing or place of origin. Moreover, knowing how fabrics are used differently across different regions can help identify the origins of materials used in illicit operations like counterfeiting and smuggling to sum up, this research offers insightful information on Maharashtra's textile history and how it relates to crime analysis and investigation. This improves law enforcement's capacity and fosters a greater awareness of the state's cultural variety.

Attracting new audiences to high culture: an analysis of live broadcasted performing arts at cinema theaters

AbstractThe aim of this paper is to analyze the potential contribution of broadcasting live performing arts in movie theaters to the democratization of high culture. To accomplish this, we analyze the profile of attendees to these events to explore whether this new form of cultural consumption can attract individuals who do not normally attend live performances, thereby renewing high-brow audiences. Using data from the Spanish Survey of Cultural Habits and Practices in Spain (2018–2019), we find that individuals who frequently attend movies are more likely to attend live opera broadcasts in movie theaters, even those who do not consume live opera or even do not listen to opera at all. This is a positive insight suggesting that this initiative may be successful to engage new audiences to high culture.

1st International Conference MRTBS 2024 Modern research trends in biomedical sciences: a holistic approach to health care BOOK OF ABSTRACTS SUPPLEMENT 3

Human health is a complex web of interactions between physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual aspects. nowadays, a holistic, multidisciplinary approach to medicine is not only important but essential for a comprehensive understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of individual and population health problems.Th e exchange of ideas between researchers from diff erent branches of science, from basic research to studies that aff ect people and whole populations, is crucial, especially today when there is so much going on in science. Researchers from diff erent fi elds often approach problems with unique perspectives and methods, inspiring each other and leading to innovative solutions and breakthroughs. Collaboration enables a more comprehensive understanding of complex issues related to human health and society by incorporating fi ndings from diff erent disciplines. In addition, collaboration enables the translation of fundamental discoveries into practical applications, such as new treatments or strategies. Ethical considerations are also of utmost importance, especially when research is conducted on humans or entire populations, and ethical research requires collaboration between researchers from the fi elds of health sciences, ethics, social sciences, and biomedicine. Research fi ndings have the greatest impact when they address real-world problems and challenges. Th erefore, it is important to encourage interdisciplinary collaboration to ensure research is relevant to the needs of society. In addition, collaboration promotes the validation and replication of research results, which improves the robustness, transferability, and generalizability of results in diff erent contexts.Th e MRTBS2024 conference brings together scientists from diff erent disciplines in health sciences and those from diff erent countries and cultures, which is important for creating a holistic approach to health sciences. By bringing together experts from different fi elds, such as medicine, public health, psychology, physiotherapy, nursing, dietetics, medicinal chemistry, biology, etc., this conference off ers a comprehensive understanding of health issues. Th e integration of these diff erent perspectives promotes a more holistic understanding of health, taking into account cultural beliefs, practices, and social determinants that infl uence health outcomes, and provides an opportunity for researchers from diff erent disciplines to collaborate on research projects and initiatives, promoting the integration of diff erent methods, theories, and approaches. By bringing together researchers from diverse cultural backgrounds, we also wanted to promote cultural sensitivity and its relevance in health research.We hope that this extraordinary event will not only be a breakthrough for Opole University and the city of Opole but will also leave a lasting impression on the Polish and international stage in the fi eld of medicine and health sciences.The project is conducted as a part of the Excellent Science II Program announced by the Minister of Education and Science 2023

Music as a determinant of health among First Nations people in Australia: A scoping narrative review.

While social determinants frameworks are still popular in research about First Nations health in Australia, a growing body of research prefers cultural determinants of health models. Cultural determinants models provide a holistic, strength-based framework to explain connections between health and contextual factors, including the potentialrole of music and its impact on social and emotional well-being. Given the growing international recognition of links between music, health, and wellbeing through bodies such as the World Health Organisation, this article examines whether and how music practices are acknowledged in First Nations determinants of health literature. We conducted a scoping narrative review of literature from five databases: Scopus, PsycInfo, CINAHL, PubMed and ProQuest Central. The search returned 60 articles published since 2017, which we analysed in NVivo for common themes. Music was only explicitly identified as a determinant of health in two studies. Yet, participants in five studies identified music and song as directly impacting their social and emotional well-being. When we broadened our frame of analysis to include other forms of expressive cultural practice, one quarter of included studies empirically acknowledged the role of expressive cultural practice for social and emotional well-being. While many recent studies identify the impact of First Nations' expressive practices broadly, they miss important features of First Nations music as a potentially unique cultural, social, political and ecological determinant of health. SO WHAT?: There is an opportunity for future research and health determinant modelling to explicitly examine the role of First Nations music and other creative practicesfor social and emotional well-being.

The Anagarika’s Lists: Time, Space and Emotions in the ‘Sarnath Notebooks’

This article focuses on the plethora of lists that the Sri Lankan Buddhist revivalist Anagarika Dharmapala (1864–1933) composed across his many notebooks. Rather than seeing lists as mere repositories of data, the text foregrounds aspects of form and formatting of the list as a genre and practice. Dharmapala’s notebooks emerge as key material aspects in the creation of his self, and list-making is revealed as an emotional practice. The various lists and their central role in Dharmapala’s life and thinking are explored by tracing list-making as a cultural practice belonging both to colonial modernity and to the ancient Theravada Buddhist tradition. This is shown in two particular foci: the temporal operations performed by Dharmapala’s historical and autobiographical lists, and the spatiality and visuality in and around his lists.

Intercropping Industrial Hemp and Cowpea Enhances the Yield of Squash—A Pollinator-Dependent Crop

Cultural crop-production practices are not only engineered to minimize pest incidence but also improve resource use efficiency and increase the diversity of habitat for beneficial insects that provide pollination services. With the increasing cultivation of industrial hemp and the benefits associated with the cultivation of multiple crops, its integration into a polyculture cropping system remains to be evaluated. We intercropped two pollinator-attractive crops, hemp and cowpea, with squash, a pollinator-dependent crop, to evaluate the impact of pollinator abundance and diversity on crop yield. Intercropping significantly increased the overall abundance of pollinators with 79.1% recorded from the intercropping systems compared to 21.9% in the monocropping systems. Sweat bees and bumble bees were the most abundant bees, and Squash+Cowpea was the most diverse cropping system. Intercropping significantly increased the yield of squash with higher squash yield (155%) in Hemp+Squash and (161%) in Squash+Cowpea than in squash monocrop. Also, intercropping resulted in higher hemp yield (64%) in Hemp+Cowpea and (165%) in Hemp+Squash compared to hemp monocrop. This study demonstrated that agricultural systems such as intercropping that are designed to attract pollinators are much more productive by not only improving crop yield but also growers’ returns on investments.

Knowledge Management Maturity Model of Higher Education Based-on Quality Culture and Human Resource Management Practices

There are 2 main important things to improve knowledge management maturity (KMM), namely organizational culture and proper HR management. There are no studies on human resource culture and management that are specific to increasing KMM in tertiary institutions. Empirical research on the influence of higher education quality culture as a goal of implementing the Internal Quality Assurance System (SPMI) on all tertiary institutions in Indonesia and the influence of HR management on KMM is still very limited. This study aims to develop a model for improving KMM in Indonesian universities through the implementation of a quality culture and human resource management. The analysis was carried out with a structural equation model (SEM). The results showed that quality culture had a positive and significant effect on human resource management practices, but had no direct effect on knowledge management maturity. Human resource management practices have a positive and significant effect on knowledge management maturity. The results of this study prove the importance of the quality culture of higher education in developing mature knowledge management, through human resource management practices.

Gender Differentials for Participation in Producer Organization Among Smallholder Farmers: Evidence from Nigeria

Linking smallholder farmers to formal markets through producer organizations is increasingly becoming a pathway toward agricultural inclusivity. This study investigated the disparities in participation between male and female groups in Nigeria. Data was collected from 604 farmers and decomposition analysis for three gender categories was carried out using the Fairlie decomposition technique. The results showed a 24.2% higher actual mean probability of participation for males over females and a 20.1% actual mean probability higher for male-headed households compared to female-headed households. There was also a 27.59% actual mean probability higher for the de facto female-headed households over de jure female-headed households. Diverse factors were found to push the gender gap at various magnitudes. Interventions targeting gender equality should be entrenched in understanding the social and cultural practices and norms in Nigeria.

Debates and Reflections from the Cultural Heritage Perspective on the “Plan especial de salvaguardia: saberes y tradiciones asociados a la manifestación del viche/biche del Pacífico colombiano”

The text discusses the “Plan especial de salvaguardia: saberes y tradiciones asociados a la manifestación del viche/biche del Pacífico colombiano” [“Special Safeguarding Plan: Knowledge and Traditions Associated with the Manifestation of Viche/Biche of the Colombian Pacific”,] elaborated by the Colombian Ministry of Cultures, Arts, and Knowledges in 2023 as an instrument for the management of viche, an artisanal beverage included in the nation’s intangible heritage lists. Each of the document’s components is analyzed, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses and proposing some strategies in order to complement them. The general reflection falls within the framework of critical cultural heritage studies, aiming to contribute to the development of more reflexive cultural public policies. The article warns about the processes of patrimonialization that undermine the balance between the environment, the people, their manifestations, and cultural practices underlying the universe of traditional cuisines.

Describing the food choices of Aboriginal children attending an afterschool cultural program from two different knowledge systems: The importance of Country, community, and kinship.

This study describes a program co-created with Aboriginal communities to strengthen cultural ties with the children. Food data are reported from two knowledge systems (lenses): Western and Aboriginal relational, focused on Country, community, and kinship. A cultural program was undertaken with primary school children of Aboriginal heritage, on Yuin nation, over 10 weeks including culturally appropriate practices (painting, bushtucker, and dance). We report mixed method food outcomes framed by Western (quantitative) 24-h recall and Aboriginal relational methods (qualitative) captured by cultural images, yarning and continuous consultation methods to expose lessons from community and Country, to extend kinship. In total, 111 children (79 providing food data) across three regional communities commenced the program. A storying approach to food data collection and interpretation was preferred. The number of serves of seafood products, such as fish increased, vegetable consumption improved, intakes of dairy improved in quality and energy intakes from discretionary foods decreased across the programs. Qualitative data exposed six themes: Eating with family, competing agendas, food as medicine, applying cultural practices, food choices driven by 'post-invasion tradition' and community events, which deepened our understanding of the food data. Teaching the importance of the ocean and water saw participants engage with family in practices such as fishing to improve overall awareness of culture through food. The kinship system in a cultural context supported positive shifts towards accessible food choices driven by messages from Country. While the changes cannot be isolated to the program, cultural immersion drove change and strength-based reporting.