Cultural Trajectories Research Articles

The Cultural Problems about the Adaptation of Manggarai Students in Malang City

This research is motivated by the cultural complexity between Manggarai students and Java students in Malang city, Indonesia. There are misunderstandings due to the meeting of two different cultures. The research purpose is to find out the adaptation problems of Manggarai students in Malang city. The research method is qualitative with an ethnographic approach, namely emic. The data collection techniques are observation, interview and documentation. The analysis technique uses interpretation with a cultural paradigm. The results showed that the cultural problem of adaptation in the ethnographic point of view is the difficulty of adapting between students from Manggarai (migrants) and students from Java (host culture). The main reason for the difficulty in adapting starts from the language, the situation of feeling like a foreigner so that they feel culture shock with the new culture. Consequences of adaptation problems: limited communication between the two parties, the problem of occurring situations that are not familiar and easily offended due to misunderstanding and suspicion in the use of language. Ethnographic analysis helps adaptation problems through cultural trajectories from the immigrant side by being humble to learn conversations in everyday Javanese. The trajectory is carried out communally with initiatives from regional organizations (Lembor Malang Big Family Association or IKBLM) to build meeting points and familiarity with Javanese students. Research recommendations, different cultures can be crossed with cultural ideas and actions to accept differences starting from migrants and facilitated by decision-making parties.

Exhibiting Colonialism and Nationalism: The Case of Egyptian Museums and Its Cultural Heritage

Abstract: Egypt is one of four ancient civilizations acknowledged by the international community as having a time-honored historical legacy and a profound cultural heritage. However, from the 19th century onward, Egypt's cultural development trajectory underwent a significant shift due to the influence of Western colonial powers. Subsequently, with the uninterrupted progression of the nationalist movement, the trajectory of Egyptian history and culture, in addition to the conservation and investigation of cultural heritage, underwent yet another transformation. Museums, as crucial instruments for the conservation and exhibition of cultural heritage, have played a pivotal role in the history of Egyptian cultural research, bearing witness to the transformation in the preponderance of Egyptian historical narratives. This paper examines how historical narratives and cultural developments in Egypt were shaped under the influence of colonialism, with a particular focus on the profound impact of Orientalist theories and practices on the construction of museums about the study of historical and cultural heritage. In the post-colonial period, Egyptian museums have served as conduits for disseminating the country's rich cultural heritage and as instruments for enhancing Egyptian national identity. These institutions have played a pivotal role in the formation of national identity and the "decolonization" of the country's cultural heritage, largely due to their irreplaceable cultural space and their capacity to adapt to changing needs. As Egyptian museums have evolved, they have played a significant role in shaping national identity and contributing to the processes of decolonization and de-Westernization. Furthermore, they symbolize the prospective trajectory of Egyptian national identity within the context of globalization and the emergence of a more interconnected world.

History Politics in Kosovo: Elites’ Memory and Victims’ Counter-Memory in Public Spaces of the De Facto State (Contradictions of Collective Memory and Memorial Culture)

The article examines the development of collective historical memory in Kosovo, a region with contested international political status. The study aims to analyze the memorial policies pursued by Kosovo’s regional political elites, which contribute to the consolidation of the region’s political identity. Additionally, the role and significance of history and perceptions of the past in the discourse shaped by the elites of modern Pristina are explored. Methodologically, the article draws on the interdisciplinary contributions of historiography, particularly the memorial turn, as well as studies that analyze nationalism as a factor in the evolution and transformation of memorial cultures. The novelty of the study lies in its examination of the current stage of historical policy development in Kosovo, a region that is striving for institutionalization and recognition as a nationstate. The article demonstrates that: 1) Kosovo's political elites actively leverage both the real and symbolic potential of collective memory, 2) the region’s historical policy and memorial culture are marked by a high degree of ideologization, and 3) nationalism plays a pivotal role in shaping the main vectors and trajectories of historical policy and memorial culture. The study suggests that the memory policies enacted by the elites tend to blend ethnic and civic Albanian nationalism, characterized by a high level of politicization and ideologization of history. This active use and instrumentalization of historical narratives in public and social spaces transforms collective memory into a tool for memorial confrontation and memory wars.

Cultural Interpretation and Traditional Perspectives in Ahmed Yerima’s Akudaaya

Culture remains a clear indicator of the organic identity of mankind. Cultural materials are therefore one of the dominant sources from which playwrights have continued to draw. However, an attempt to dramatise certain inherent cultural practices of a people often comes with challenges especially for a playwright who does not belong to such culture. Hence, this study examines Ahmed Yerima’s Akudaaya with the view to define the cultural trajectories and traditional dispositions reflected in the play. Through textual analysis, the study analyses the selected play-text. It is revealed that Ahmed Yerima’s attempt to reflect the cultural identity and traditional perspectives of the Yoruba people is manifested in his dramatisation of the symbolic representation of the king’s crown; the cultural interpretation of akudaaya and the dichotomy of language; cultural norms and the significant position of Iyalode; ritual aesthetics and the spirito-cosmic identity of the Yoruba people. The study concludes that Ahmed Yerima’s Akudaaya remains one of the notable plays written by a Nigerian playwright which reflects the cultural identity of the akudaaya view among the Yoruba people. However, Yerima is able to achieve cultural reconstruction and initiate a challenge to create cultural consciousness through his play-text.

Comparative Analysis of Historical and Cultural Trajectories: Imperial China and the Indian Subcontinent

Comparative Analysis of Historical and Cultural Trajectories: Imperial China and the Indian Subcontinent

Mapping the Trajectory of Popular Culture: From Rock Album Narratives to Video Game Transmediality

Popular culture is not a coherent concept; it lacks an organic whole and is subject to change. It is neither fixed nor concrete, with its modus operandi rooted in everyday life. It does not possess a definitive meaning, as it is constantly being redefined and reevaluated, and the canon of pop culture works is continually expanding. During its heyday in the 1960s, pop culture evolved, shaping both its passive and active roles. The passive (mass) aspect reflects a tendency to act as a “mirror” of reality, as it is and as it should be, adding a certain degree of glamour within the entertainment industry, major Hollywood productions, and politically correct celebrities. The active aspect relies on the potential for social action within pop culture. Pop culture has become capable of supporting and leading significant cultural changes, such as in music, film, literature, and shifting social attitudes toward war and destruction, family, religion, and other critical issues since the 1960s. In the 21st century, the activity, vitality, and relevance of pop culture are based on technology, AI, and video gaming. Other narratives become allusive and outdated, yet they still define the modes of life of the era. This paper aims to first investigate and define the trajectory of popular culture and, consequently, to project the future directions and modalities we can expect, considering the increasing significance and impact of popular culture juxtaposed with elite culture.

Trajectories of language and the culture of the Gopali community in the Chitlang Valley

Language pedagogy primarily casts light on cultural trajectories of language use in certain communities. By examining these of the Gopali community in the Chitlang Valley, located 28 miles southwest of Kathmandu, this preliminary study delves into various applied aspects of language use in the area. Preliminary observations indicate that the Gopali, a subset of the Newar ethnic group, have a distinctive linguistic and cultural identity in Nepal. However, they have yet to be recognized as a separate ethnic community despite their unique language, marital exchange, origin stories, and cultural practices. Currently subsumed under the Newar subset, the Gopali language is on the brink of extinction primarily because of an increasing level of influence exerted by Nepali, Tamang and Kathmandu-based Newar accents on Gopali speakers. As the misrecognition of language and culture was historically linked with the political-economic access of the community, we observed the impact of the political economy on the Gopali of Chitlang. This paper has been developed on the basis of data elicited from various narratives, key informant interviews (KII), life histories, language surveys, and observations conducted in October, 2021. Thus, the interpretation has been made in relation to various political, social and economic relations of language use and cultural changes. In consideration of multilingualism as a norm of language education, this study has also explored the impact of multilingualism among the younger generation in the Chitlang Valley. The study can help policymakers introduce mother tongue-based multilingual education (MTB-MLE) to children in the Gopali community.

“Chineseness”: A Discussion on Cases Related to Tulou in Contemporary Chinese Architecture

The article delves into the concept of “Chineseness” in contemporary Chinese architecture, a strategic tool for creating distinctive styles rooted in Chinese identity. It serves not only to distinguish projects from market-driven trends but also to establish a pivotal position in the global architectural landscape. "Chineseness" among 24 identified keywords represents a practical strategy embraced by many young architects with international exposure. The traditional Chinese dwelling, a symbol of familial and cultural essence, particularly in the context of home culture, is a primary inspiration for contemporary architects. The research adopts a case study approach, focusing on Tulou-related cases from the last fifteen years, encompassing various building types. The Tulou, a mountain-dwelling with rich cultural connotations, is introduced, reflecting ancient Chinese philosophies in its architectural principles. The case studies, including URBANUS’s “Tulou Collective Housing 2008" and Chengdu’s “Tulou Theater,” demonstrate how Tulou prototypes can be creatively adapted. These designs not only replicate forms but also capture the communal spirit inherent in traditional dwellings. “Stepped Courtyards” by OPEN Architecture reinterprets Tulou typology for a staff dormitory, emphasizing community awareness. In conclusion, the concept of “Chineseness” emerges as a prominent topic, showcasing the dynamic and adaptable nature of traditional Chinese culture and modern architectural expressions. The cases illustrate the evolving intersection between traditional Chinese culture and modern architecture, offering insights into the future trajectory of Chinese architectural culture. The interrelated keywords highlight the nuanced and evolving nature of “Chineseness” in architectural practices.

Orphan crops of archaeology‐based crop history research

Societal Impact StatementAgrobiodiversity is central to sustainable farming worldwide. Cultivation, conservation and reintroduction of diverse plant species, including ‘forgotten’ and ‘underutilized’ crops, contribute to global agrobiodiversity, living ecosystems and sustainable food production. Such efforts benefit from traditional and historical knowledge of crop plants' evolutionary and cultural trajectories. This review is a first attempt at systematically gauging species representativeness in studies of archaeological plant remains. Results indicate that, in addition to discipline‐specific methodological sources of bias, modern agricultural biases may replicate themselves in crop history research and influence understandings of ‘forgotten crops’. Recognizing these biases is an initial stride towards rectifying them and promoting agrobiodiversity in both research and practical applications.SummarySo‐called ‘forgotten’ or ‘orphan’ crops are an important component of strategies aimed at preserving and promoting biodiversity. Knowledge of historical cultivation, usage, and geographic and evolutionary trajectories of plants, that is, crop history research, is important for the long‐term success of such efforts. However, research biases in the crops chosen for study may present hurdles. This review attempts to systematically identify patterns in crop species representativeness within archaeology‐based crop history research. A meta‐analysis and synthesis of archaeobotanical evidence (and lack thereof) is presented for 268 species known to have been cultivated for food prior to 1492 CE from the Mediterranean region to South Asia. We identified 39 genera with known crop plants in this geographical and historical context that are currently absent from its archaeobotanical record, constituting ‘orphan’ crops of archaeobotany. In addition, a worldwide synthesis of crop species studied using geometric morphometric, archaeogenetic and stable isotope analyses of archaeological plant remains is presented, and biases in the species represented in these disciplines are discussed. Both disciplinary methodological biases and economic agenda‐based biases affecting species representativeness in crop history research are apparent. This study also highlights the limited geographic diffusion of most crops and the potential for deeper historical perspectives on how crops become marginalized and ‘forgotten’.

Genesis and Predictive Ability of Ecosystem Approach in Education

The landscape of education is progressively diversifying, characterized by an influx of various new participants, products, technologies, and institutional configurations. The concept of a comprehensive educational ecosystem is increasingly invoked. Yet, our understanding of the educational ecosystem phenomenon remains fragmented and lacking structure. This limitation poses obstacles to both engaging in a scholarly discourse and fully harnessing the predictive potential inherent in the ecosystem approach. The objective of this article is to delineate the practices involving interaction, knowledge exchange, and the diffusion of innovation among participants and strata within the educational realm. These practices serve as the foundation for the processes underpinning its development and transformation, culminating in the educational sphere acquiring ecosystemic attributes. This paper contributes to the conceptualization of an educational ecosystem founded upon the principles of an open and dynamic social system. It emphasizes the coevolution of stakeholders, a high degree of resource and competency complementarity, and collaborative competition in the creation of novel educational products. We expound upon the evolutionary origins of the educational ecosystem concept, attributing its development to the emergence of new actors and the expansion of communication capabilities for information dissemination and interactive linkages.We also underscore the continuity of the educational ecosystem concept concerning the triple, quadruple, and five helix models. Consequently, we propose a methodology for applying the ecosystem approach to conduct foresight studies and engage in co-design endeavors aimed at realizing the Sustainable Development Goals within the realm of education. This methodology aligns with the foundational principles articulated in the UN Sustainable Development Goals for Education until 2030 (Strategic Development Goal 4 - SDG4). The ecosystem approach is harnessed in the selection of source materials, the interpretation of prospective indicators, and the description of foresight subjects. In doing so, we affirm the predictive capacity of the ecosystem approach in modeling novel forms of stakeholder interactions, delineating the coevolution of social, economic, technological, and cultural trajectories, and identifying equitable and collectively significant priorities for the advancement of the educational milieu.

From the left to the right, from the fringe to the centre: The trajectories of Iran's DIY hip-hop culture

This article focuses on Iranian hip-hop's changes between 2009 and 2023. Focusing on ‘resistance hip-hop’, it analyses the established discourse of nationalism within resistance hip-hop songs. The article shows how the newly emerged forms of DIY hip-hop in Iran and the diaspora increasingly lean towards right-wing politics. Mainstream Iranian hip-hop increasingly reinforces a patriarchal, patriotic, and centralizing discourse at the expense of the marginalization of minoritized groups, including women, queers, ethnicities, and nationalities. In addition, the article examines the new developments among the Iranian women who started their careers on the verge of the Women-Life-Freedom movement. Some women artists refuse to reproduce the patriarchal and patriotic discourses dominating recent hip-hop productions; instead, they simultaneously defy the Islamic regime's norms of gender identity and that of the mainstream male-centric pro-nationalist hip-hop.

DEVELOPMENT OF CHINESE PIANO ART OF THE 20TH CENTURY IN THE CONTEXT OF ADAPTATION OF WESTERN INFLUENCES

Abstract. The article examines the national and cultural factors influencing the development of Chinese musical culture, with a focus on the integration of genres and forms within the international context. The study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the main trajectories of Chinese musical culture, particularly piano culture, as a conceptually integral national phenomenon. The research methodology employs historical, structural-typological, and comparative-analytical methods. Through the research process, it was discovered that the creation of a unique system of musical thinking in China relies on adapting external influences to the national artistic representation and aesthetics, shaped by a global perception. Among composer's approaches, arrangement and cyclicity emerge as the most specific types of thinking, facilitating the harmonious integration of traditions with modernization and the incorporation of Chinese music into the global context. This research opens up prospects for analyzing the piano heritage from the perspective of musical anthropology.

Partition in Bangla Little Magazines: Trajectories of Politics and Culture

The partition of India in 1947 that transgressed both the geographical and cultural boundaries left millions of people homeless and victims of communal violence. Like other media that presented the horror of partition, little magazines, too, responded to the post-partition socio-cultural upheaval. Despite being the “Other” to mainstream printing practices, little magazines became socially pungent and attentive critique of the socio-political milieu of the state. Bangla little magazines promoted a body of partition literature which was often side-lined by the mainstream magazines and academia. This article explores the trajectories of politics and culture in which these small presses conceptualized “partition” both as a historical event and literary representation that revived the cultural amnesia to reproduce an alternative storehouse of counter narratives. Moreover, focusing on the paratexts, it decodes the esthetic paradigms of these “advance guard” magazines to understand their representational politics. In short, this article relocates “partition” within the network of Bangla little magazines and its alternative printing cultures.

The Future of Dining Out: The Implications of Food Service Employment Trends on the Restaurant Industry

In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, substantial shifts have occurred in the restaurant and food service industry necessitating closer examination of the longitudinal effects on business, the economy, and broader society. As numerous restaurants and food service companies closed their doors amidst the public health crisis, millions of employees across this important – and large – part of the American economy found themselves jobless. This research seeks to uncover the sizeable impacts of the pandemic on employment trends and job insecurity in the restaurant and food service sector using longitudinal data from the United States Census Bureau. Through exploration of overall pre- and post-pandemic income trends, employment disparities across job categories in the restaurant business, and volatile metrics such as turnover and outmigration, combined into a new metric, the “Churn Rate” in occupations, the researchers offer insight into the changing trajectory of food culture and what it truly means to “dine out.” Future economic implications – for the food service value chain overall and for consumers - are summarily explored and suggestions for further research are offered.

Cultural Diplomacy as a Key Component of Economic and Political Diplomacy: The Lessons For Nigeria

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of cultural diplomacy as key component of economic and political diplomacy: the lessons for Nigeria using UAE as a benchmark for comparison.
 Methodology: The paper used liberal theory to demonstrate the link between cultural and economic diplomacy. This being qualitative research, the paper was anchored on secondary sources, which included textbooks, journal publications, government and newspaper publications. The secondary data collected was thoroughly subjected to content analysis.
 Findings: The study revealed that cultural diplomacy builds "trust" between countries. This lays the groundwork for political, economic, and military agreements. The goal is to develop durable relationships among the peoples beyond the changes in political leadership, and this is to be done via the trajectory of culture.
 Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: this study's findings have far-reaching implications for diplomatic theory, policy formulation, and practical applications. By recognizing the power of cultural diplomacy in building trust, fostering economic growth, and preserving cultural heritage, nations and international actors can work collaboratively to create a more interconnected and harmonious global community.

Predictive use of modern reference osteological collections for disentangling the shape of Eurasian equid cheek teeth and metapodials in archaeological material

AbstractEquids have shaped past Eurasian societies in many ways. This applies in particular to domestic horses, donkeys, and their hybrids. Key to documenting modes of exploitation and cultural trajectories in past societies is the correct taxonomic classification of tooth and bone specimens found in archaeological sites. However, close osteomorphological resemblance of wild and domestic equids and their economically valuable hybrids, that is, mules and hinnies, complicates the identification of intentionally fragmented or naturally damaged archaeological specimens. Here, we apply geometric morphometrics (GM) to mandibular teeth and metapodials, two skeletal elements commonly found in archaeological collections and known for their diagnostic properties using traditional morphometric methods. We registered a statistically representative set of 2D and 3D coordinates on mandibular teeth (P3, P4, M1, and M2) and metapodials of 92 domestic horses (Equus caballus Linnaeus, 1758), 70 domestic donkeys (Equus asinus Linnaeus, 1758), 30 hybrids, and 63 Asiatic wild asses (Equus hemionus Pallas, 1775). Taxonomic classification of these 255 specimens considered both shape and form, applying linear discriminant analysis, k‐nearest neighbors algorithm, and artificial neural networks to seven combinations of taxa. We obtained correct classifications in over 87% and 80%, respectively, of the premolars and molars and in over 93% and 89%, respectively, of the metacarpals and metatarsals. This modern dataset was then used to classify equid specimens from three archaeological sites in the Middle East already analyzed morphologically. Taking into account the past zoogeography of wild equids and the historical distribution of their domesticated descendants and hybrids, the GM approach presented in this study offers the possibility to morphologically classify archaeological equids with far greater certainty than has been the case so far.

Word and action: the many routes through Jesús Martín-Barbero

ABSTRACT The articles in this special issue address some of the conceptual innovations and controversies raised by the late Jesús Martín-Barbero's (1937–2021) combative and generous spirit. These introductory remarks provide an overview of Martín-Barbero's academic and public intellectual contributions. Specifically, we examine his personal, political, intellectual and cultural trajectories as they lead us to a core category in his thinking: mediations. We also present the essays in this issue to show how Martín-Barbero's work is valuable and fundamental to understanding the contemporary moment in Latin America, the Caribbean and perhaps beyond.

Defying grand narratives of ‘being an international student’: finding ‘home’ in the Other

The PhD students in this study create a sense of being at home as part of their own way of being themselves. Their programme requires and allows considerable autonomy in how they choose to be with the people around them. Different to common expectations of the ‘international student’, their nationality and its ‘culture’ being apart from the ‘culture’ they find is not the major factor. Instead they draw resources from their personal cultural trajectories within which their lives in Britain form another stage in a lifelong journey of identity construction. They do not ‘assimilate’ in the expected sense. Their friends are not mainly ‘British’. Their brought multilingualism is characteristic of a natural hybridity that prepares them to be different selves in diverse social locations and with people of diverse origin on and off campus through an ongoing negotiation process of small culture formation on the go.

New Insights on the Palaeo-archaeological Potential of the Niokolo-Koba National Park, Senegal

The study of the Palaeolithic in Senegal has made considerable progress in the last decade and has provided a renewed vision of the behavioral evolution of prehistoric populations in West Africa. The cultural trajectories within the region seem to be highly variable and bear witness to strong behavioral dynamics, the mechanisms of which still need to be better understood. However, the number of reliable, dated, and stratified sites, as well as the palaeoenvironmental data providing a context for populations in their palaeolandscapes, is still scarce. In order to provide new and solid data, we conducted new archaeological survey in the Niokolo-Koba National Park in south-central Senegal, aiming at a preliminary identification of Pleistocene and early Holocene sedimentary deposits. Here, we report an overview of the newly discovered industries found in different contexts. Most of the 27 identified sites show surface and out-of-context assemblages, but other sites are stratified and have all the criteria to justify the development of a long-term archaeological, geochronological, geomorphological, and palaeobotanical project. The Niokolo-Koba National Park, through which the Gambia River flows, is characterized by an abundance of sources of knappable material and by well-preserved sedimentary sequences. Therefore, archaeological research in the Niokolo-Koba National Park has the potential to provide major milestones in our understanding of the evolutionary dynamics at work in West Africa during the early periods of occupation of the region.

Disaster, survival and recovery: the resettlement of Tanegashima Island following the Kikai-Akahoya ‘super-eruption’, 7.3ka cal BP

Archaeologists have traditionally framed the impacts of natural disasters in terms of societal collapse versus cultural resilience. The 7.3ka cal BP Kikai-Akahoya (K-Ah) ‘super-eruption’ in south-western Japan was among the largest volcanic events of the Holocene. Here, the authors deploy a multi-proxy approach to examine how K-Ah devastated Tanegashima Island. While local Jōmon populations were annihilated, surrounding communities survived and eventually returned, adjusting their subsistence base to survive in the damaged environment. The article concludes that neither ‘collapse’ nor ‘resilience’ fully capture the complex dynamics of this process and that more research is needed to understand how disasters shape cultural trajectories.