Cultural Identity Research Articles

Sustaining Linguistic Heritage Through Black‐Centric Texts

AbstractAmerica's strength lies in its inherent diversity‐‐an enduring truth that makes the Eurocentric nature of our educational curricula troubling. Despite this foundational reality, curricular materials remain predominantly Eurocentric, often excluding authentic representation and inclusion of Black/African American experiences in children's and young adult literature. This issue is exacerbated by a politically charged environment where efforts to prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion in education have been criminalized, particularly in southern states. Prioritizing cultural and linguistic diversity in U.S. classrooms is essential for nurturing and sustaining young learners' literate lives. This article aims to disrupt these inequities by analyzing the integration of culturally authentic texts, rooted in the lived experiences, perspectives, and traditions of Black/African American communities, to counter stereotypes and celebrate linguistic dexterity. Guided by culturally and linguistically relevant theories, the study presents a critical content analysis of three Black‐centric children's and pre‐adolescent books. These texts exemplify Black Livingness, showcasing joy, playfulness, and imagination in contemporary Black life while opposing anti‐Blackness. The findings highlight the importance of incorporating these texts in educational curricula to provide authentic representations of Black experiences, nurture students' cultural identities, and foster critical literacy. The article offers pedagogical recommendations for educators to meaningfully select and center Black‐centric texts, enhancing culturally relevant and rigorous literacy learning experiences. By disrupting harmful anti‐Black practices in curricula, educators can create learning environments that affirm and amplify Black linguistic capital, supporting the academic success and well‐being of Black students. Through this approach, the study aims to empower educators as transformative intellectuals and agents of change in promoting Black linguistic justice.

The Research of Alashan Agate -- Taking Crystal as a Case

To enhance Alashan Agate's market recognition and trust, it has adopted various marketing strategies. First, it cooperates with vegetarian bloggers to break the distance between the brand and consumers through real recommendations and enhance its credibility. Secondly, it cooperates with divination insiders to combine agate with cultural beliefs of feng shui and luck enhancement to enhance the brand's cultural identity. In addition, collaborate with the fashion industry to enhance the brand's sense of trendiness and market coverage through fashion bloggers showcasing fashionable pairings of onyx jewelry. Meanwhile, drawing on the marketing model of successful doll brands, it cooperated with face bloggers to showcase the unique design of Onyx and attract appearance-conscious consumers. The combined use of these strategies has successfully expanded Alaska Agate's market reach and enhanced consumer recognition and loyalty to the brand.

Factors associated with not smoking among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adolescents and young people: Analysis of data from the 2014 to 15 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey.

Smoking rates have been steadily declining among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Examining the factors associated with not smoking in young people is crucial for understanding the motivations and influences that lead individuals to adopt healthy behaviours. Secondary analysis was undertaken of data collected as part of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey (NATSISS) 2014-15 (n = 1456). Factors associated with not smoking were explored with three multivariate regressions: (1) socio-demographic characteristics; (2) health, social and emotional factors; and (3) cultural identity characteristics. Overall, 66% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people aged 15-24 years did not smoke. Factors associated with not smoking included being younger, female, and engaged in study or employment. Those who lived with no smoking in the house, had lower illicit drug and alcohol use, and participated in Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander sports carnivals were also more likely to be non-smokers. Study findings reinforce the influence of social determinants on smoking behaviour. Efforts to reduce smoking among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people should focus on removing barriers to education and employment, promoting positive peer and family influences within households, taking a multi-drug approach to cessation, and considering cultural identity and its role in promoting healthy lifestyles. SO WHAT?: Understanding the protective factors associated with not smoking in young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will help with developing effective policies and initiatives to improve health outcomes.

Образы России в прозе Ю.В. Мамлеева

The author of the article examines the dynamics of images of Russia in the works of art of Yu. V. Mamleyev. In the writer’s early works there is no refl ection on Russia as a historical and cultural whole. Mamleyev depicts the hidden world of Soviet marginals who undermine their consciousness with crimes and sexual deviations. The fear of death awakens the attraction to it and the desire of the heroes to know death, finding themselves in an uncertain state between life and death. The image of “external” Russia in Mamleyev’s early works is also deeply pathological and demonstrates all kinds of mental disorders among its inhabitants. The writer’s departure for emigration awakened an interest in artistic reflection on the present and future of Russia in him. Now madness and lack of depth (two-dimensionality) seem to the author to be its essential characteristics. The story “Reflection” captures this image of Russia, which has lost its cultural identity and is deprived of historical memory. After returning to his homeland, the writer’s work became increasingly marked by apocalyptic motifs, characteristic of the national cultural tradition. In the novel “After the End,” Mamleyev creates an image of Russia in the distant future after the End of the World. It is inhabited by creatures deprived of the image and likeness of God, and seized by all kinds of madness. Their existence is an existence between life and death. It’s unbearable. But there are only two ways to get out of it: either to disappear completely from all levels of reality, or to leave the divine Creation into the Abyss of Non-Existence, devoid of any potential. In both cases, this means the end of the Russian Idea, the end of Russia. The author’s inability to fi nd an artistic embodiment of a different, positive image and meaning of Russia’s existence forces him to turn to philosophical journalism, where he constructs his ideal of “eternal Russia.”

Боловсролын хөгжлийн философийг Монголд судлах хэрэгцээ, хэрэгжүүлэх үндэслэл

We, the Mongolian people, are striving to build and develop a new era of progress in the face of rapid changes in the natural and social environment. One important direction in this endeavor is the reform of education policy. In this presentation, we propose the formulation and implementation of an educational development philosophy as the foundation for Mongolia’s new education policy.Mongolia’s education policy has historically been shaped by powerful neighboring nations and the constant influence of dominant foreign cultures, often resulting in the imitation and adaptation of external models. However, if we are to cultivate individuals who meet the demands of the contemporary era through an education system that reflects our own cultural identity, it is imperative to establish a well-founded philosophy of educational development. To reform our education policy, it is crucial to articulate this philosophy in a manner that aligns with international standards while distinctly embodying our national characteristics.The objective of the current educational development philosophy is to lay the foundation for an education policy that nurtures healthy, well-educated, ethical, creative thinkers, diligent contributors, and globally-aware Mongolians. This should serve as the core of the state policy regarding human development.

Challenges to Students' Learning and Wellbeing During Placement Abroad: A Qualitative Study Using Rich Pictures.

Undergraduate healthcare students on placement abroad can experience challenges that affect their wellbeing, personal and professional development. These challenges may result in students taking a more peripheral role in workplace activities, which negatively impacts learning. We studied how personal and professional challenges affect students' learning and wellbeing during a clinical placement abroad. We used the rich pictures drawing method to elicit semi-structured student interviews and capture personal and professional challenges within different contexts. Language, culture, education, and belonging were used as sensitizing concepts, underlying thematic analysis. We conducted a parallel and iterative analysis of the transcripts and rich pictures. Team discussions focused on developing patterns and further conceptualization of results. Based on thirteen student accounts, we identified four main themes: 'Learning to work in the international context'; 'Cultural differences shape professional identity'; 'Deliberate social connections'; and 'Personal growth through international experiences'. Active participation in local practices was crucial to overcome barriers in language, culture or education, and increase belonging. Local healthcare teams and peers supported students' wellbeing, personal and professional development by helping them establish their role as a learner, whilst exploring the scope and boundaries of their future profession. Language, cultural and educational challenges can be considered an inevitable part of student placement abroad. Local peers and staff may support this transition and help recognize learning opportunities and challenges in the workplace. Clinical educators can facilitate learning and wellbeing by providing social support and guidance on professional behavior, including communication.

Боловсролын философийн үзэл баримтлалын тухай эргэцүүлэл

This paper explores the philosophical theories and paradigms of education, focusing on its goals, values, and policy implications in the context of globalization and cultural preservation. The study examines diverse educational philosophies, such as progressivism, perennialism, critical theory, and traditional Mongolian perspectives, highlighting their relevance to contemporary education. It emphasizes the integration of cultural identity and global competitiveness in Mongolian educational goals, proposing a framework that balances philosophical ideals with practical policy needs. By aligning educational philosophy with national development strategies, the paper advocates for a holistic approach to education that fosters critical thinking, ethical values, and lifelong learning.

Ancestral Knowledge: Taptana Cañari, A Systematic Review of the Last Four Years

Objective: The research aims to analyze how this knowledge, especially Taptana, has been incorporated into educational systems during the last four years.. Theoretical Framework: This systematic review examines the integration of ancestral knowledge in education, focusing on the use of the Taptana Cañari, a mathematical instrument of the Cañari people in Ecuador. The work highlights the importance of ancestral knowledge, which encompasses cultural practices and knowledge transmitted over generations, in a context where globalization threatens its relevance. Method: The PRISMA method was used for a rigorous review and relevant studies were identified through various databases such as Scopus, SciELO, Redalyc, Dialnet, Erih Plus, Latindex and the César Vallejo University. Results and Discussion: The findings indicate that the Taptana Cañari is not only a valuable teaching resource, but also reflects an Andean worldview that can enrich mathematical learning and promote intercultural education. However, it is observed that its integration into educational curricula is limited, which poses a significant challenge for its recognition and use. Implications of the Research: The appreciation of ancestral knowledge is essential to strengthen cultural identity and promote more equitable education. Originality/Value: Generating spaces for dialogue in classrooms that integrate ancestral knowledge with modern knowledge contributes to a more sustainable future that respects cultural diversity.

Обряд «толоки» і «новосілля» у традиційній обрядовості українців Наддніпрянщини (друга половина 20 ст.)

The Ukrainian people have always been characterized by a high spiritual culture, respect for customs and traditions, which are associated with a worldview that has developed over many centuries and has preserved signs of pre-Christian beliefs. The topic is researched on the basis of archival, field and ethnographic materials that allow us to comprehensively present the features of the building rituals of this region. The article examines the traditions and rituals of the toloka, as an ancient Ukrainian custom organized in the village for group work. The ways of avoiding demonological danger during housewarming and moving to a new home are traced. The purpose of the article is to study and analyze new and little-known information in the works of Ukrainian and foreign researchers about the components of folk construction rituals - "toloka" and "novosillya", which took place in the territories of Dnieper Ukraine in the second half of the twentieth century. The methodological basis of the article is the main methods of ethnological science: comparative-historical, comparative-chronological, retrospective, analysis of historical reconstruction, direct field observation, interviewing, polling, recording and systematization of materials. The scientific novelty lies in the analysis of the features of the definition of the concepts of "toloka" and "novosillya", such an analysis will help to avoid the limitations of the definition of the concept and allow us to develop a more effective approach to the definition of this concept. Conclusions. In the context of the analysis of rituals, the significance of the relevant folk traditions of our ancestors, their use and distribution in the second half of the 20th century, their significance for the establishment of cultural identity and the preservation of historical memory were clarified. This study is based on ethnographic materials collected by the author in the territory of Dnieper Ukraine. The prospects for further research into the concepts of "toloka" and "novosil'ya" lie in developing more effective approaches to the preservation and use of Ukraine's cultural heritage.

Constructing a Buddhist Infrastructure: Nationalist Politics and the Transformation of Buddhism in Contemporary Vietnam

Since the late 2000s, anti-China sentiments have increased across Vietnam, with large public protests against China’s encroachment in the ‘South China Sea’ or the ‘East Sea’. Such sentiments have raised important questions about Vietnamese sovereignty and cultural identity . Among Buddhists, the ‘China’ question has motivated endeavours to construct a ‘Vietnamese’ Buddhism that maintains a critical distance from ‘Chinese’ religious influences. Based on extensive fieldwork in Vietnam, this paper examines Vietnamese Buddhism as a form of soft power, particularly its ability to shape public understanding of Vietnamese identity and geopolitics. In analysing a few initiatives linked to a prominent Buddhist temple in Ho Chi Minh City, including a Buddhist public health campaign to promote organ donations and the organisation of the United Nations Day of Vesak, I explicate the intense efforts by Buddhists to create a religious infrastructure aimed at broadening the scope of Buddhist influence on Vietnam’s public life and international diplomatic relationships. I argue that this emerging Buddhist infrastructure signals transformations within Vietnamese Buddhism as it becomes increasingly entangled with local and transnational socio-political concerns.

Mitigation Strategies of Visual Pollution on Highways in The Bolgatanga Municipal, Ghana.

Purpose: This study examines visual pollution along the Bolgatanga highway, focusing on outdoor advertising (OAs) and signage. It aims to identify the causes, assess impacts on road users, and propose strategies to mitigate visual pollution, addressing a critical gap in Ghanaian environmental policy and research. Design/Methodology/Approach: A survey of 200 road users was conducted on a 3.4 km highway stretch between the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital Intersection and the STC Bus Terminal. Data were collected using a structured online questionnaire and photographic analysis of visual clutter. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse responses regarding demographics, causes of visual pollution, and its impacts. Findings: The survey identified poorly maintained banners (47%) and large billboards with excessive text (39.5%) as primary contributors to visual clutter. Overhead signs also obstructed scenic views (21.5%). Road users expressed mixed views on OAs: 39.5% appreciated their navigation utility, while 31.5% found them distracting, particularly in high-traffic areas. Motorcyclists and pedestrians were especially vulnerable to visual distractions, increasing road safety concerns. Research Limitation: The research is geographically confined to a single highway stretch in Bolgatanga, necessitating further studies across broader contexts to validate and extend the results. Practical Implications: Improved design standards should prioritise safety and community aesthetics, with input from graphic design professionals. Social Implication: Addressing visual pollution can improve road safety, reduce environmental stress, and enhance Bolgatanga's aesthetic and cultural identity, benefiting residents and visitors. Originality/Value: This study is among the first to explore visual pollution in a Ghanaian municipality, highlighting its environmental and safety implications. It offers practical solutions integrating urban planning, graphic design, and public policy for a visually sustainable future.

Argamassas de Restauro

Restoration mortar is essential for the conservation of historical heritage, as it is formulated to meet specific aesthetic and functional compatibility needs between old and new materials. However, its effectiveness and durability present complex challenges that require a deep understanding of its characteristics. Through a systematic literature review (SLR), this article aims to identify advances in the formulation of these mortars, as well as highlight the importance of choosing binders, aggregates, and additives that closely match the physicochemical characteristics of historical mortars and performance evaluation methods, ensuring greater durability of interventions. Modern techniques, such as nanotechnology, are explored to improve mortar resistance to environmental agents and wear. The literature review resulted in 496 works from four databases, with 56 selected for detailed study, providing a comprehensive view of the application of materials, technologies, and different evaluation criteria. It is concluded that, despite the increase in research in recent years, the development of restoration mortars still requires improvements in characterization tests and long-term testing. Moreover, collaboration between academic and industrial sectors is essential for the development of more resistant, compatible, and sustainable mortars. Effective conservation of historical heritage through the use of restoration mortars promotes the preservation of cultural and architectural identity, while the development of more durable and sustainable materials contributes to reducing environmental impact by minimizing the need for frequent repairs and the use of natural resources.

Effects of Acculturation and Ethnic Identity on Immigrant Adolescents’ Mental Health

In today's world, the main problem affecting all humanity, especially children and adolescents, is the phenomenon of migration. In acculturation due to migration, the influence of dominant culture and ethnic identities on each other is discussed. Acculturation changes ethnic identities; acculturation stress experienced in this change affects adolescent mental health. In recent years, the effects of acculturation strategies preferred by majority and minority cultures on mental health and psychological well-being have been evaluated from a broad perspective. In this study, the relationships between acculturation, ethnic identity, and mental health are examined comprehensively, the literature on adolescent mental health findings is evaluated comparatively, and various suggestions are made for possible results. No systematic review study on this subject was found in the national and international literature. Early studies, in particular, found a positive relationship between adolescents' ability to identify with the dominant culture and mental health. However, today, the characteristics of the immigrant and the dominant culture are considered two-dimensionally, and it turns out that maintaining adaptation to both cultures positively affects mental health. In addition, the effectiveness of psychiatric interventions leads adoption of the society of immigrant/refugee adolescents is discussed in detail. More studies are needed to determine which acculturation processes positively affect adolescents' mental health.

Enhancing Indigenous Knowledge Systems in Education through Folklore: A Case Study at the Further Education and Training Phase in South Africa

This article critically examines the role of folklore in teaching indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) within the Further Education and Training (FET) phase in South Africa, specifically in Home Languages curricula. Despite the recognised importance of indigenous knowledge systems in enhancing the relevance and effectiveness of education as articulated in the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS), their integration into formal education remains hypothetical. Utilising a culturally relevant pedagogy framework iteratively and the decolonial theory, this article explores how folklore could serve as an effective medium for implanting the IKS formal education. The findings accentuate the need for policy reforms to prioritise folklore in the FET phase, ensuring that all learners studying Home Languages are exposed to IKS as that is crucial in nurturing the cultural identity and cognitive development among learners.

Research on the Path of Integrating Chinese Traditional Culture into College English Education and Teaching

In today’s increasingly globalized world, college English education is no longer just about teaching language skills. It also carries the important mission of cultural dissemination and exchange. As the spiritual treasure of the Chinese nation, traditional Chinese culture has increasingly demonstrated its unique charm and value on the global stage. Integrating traditional Chinese culture into college English education not only helps enhance students’ cultural identity and pride but also improves their cross-cultural communication skills, laying a solid foundation for cultivating high-quality talents with an international perspective. Based on this, the author analyzes and summarizes the significance and strategies of college English education based on traditional Chinese culture, aiming to further promote the inheritance and development of excellent traditional Chinese culture.

Teaching Reform of Interior Furnishing Design Course Based on Traditional Culture in the Perspective of Aesthetic Education

In the teaching of interior furnishing design courses, the integration of traditional culture is one of the most important things, which not only helps to improve the students’ aesthetic literacy, but also promotes the inheritance and promotion of traditional culture, and achieves the effect of improving the quality and level of teaching. Therefore, the promotion of interior decoration design teaching from the perspective of aesthetic education needs to deeply integrate traditional culture to improve students’ design ability and cultural identity on this basis and achieve the purpose of improving the quality and effect the teaching reform. Hence, in the paper, the value connotation of aesthetic education is deeply analyzed and researched, the significance of integrating traditional culture into the teaching of interior furnishing design courses is explored, and corresponding teaching countermeasures are put forward according to the challenges faced, to help strengthen the quality of education in interior furnishing design courses and enhance the effectiveness of talent cultivation.

Industrial circular entrepreneurship: supporting sustainability in the machine tool industry of the Basque Country, Spain

Purpose This paper aims to explore the application of the National Expert Survey (NES) methodology in the circular economy, validating the model in the industrial ecosystem of the Basque Country to identify the challenges faced by the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the machine tool industry and to promote circular entrepreneurship. Design/methodology/approach This study uses the NES methodology, a globally recognized qualitative tool for gathering expert opinions. This methodology is adapted to the context of industrial circular entrepreneurship, ensuring that the constructs are relevant to the circular economy. Findings This study validates and expands the application of the NES model in the context of industrial circular entrepreneurship, providing a robust theoretical framework to evaluate the circular entrepreneurial ecosystem. The suitability of the Basque Country context, with its industrial legacy and cultural identity, has been key to this validation. Practical implications Concrete recommendations are provided to improve education, government intervention and financial conditions, highlighting key areas that facilitate the transition to sustainable business models and promote innovation and collaboration in the circular economy. Originality/value A new model is proposed, pioneering the validation of the NES methodology in industrial circular entrepreneurship and providing a specific tool to evaluate environmental factors in the Basque industry. The adaptation of the NES model offers a solid foundation for future research and applications. The model aids in decision-making, and its use has a social impact.

Ethnographic Descriptions of “Land und Leute” in the Alps-Adriatic Region in the 19th Century

Ethnographic accounts from the 19th century, including “Land und Leute”, statistical reports and travelogues, provide insight into how ethnographers (broadly defined) presented and investigated the transformations occurring in the multicultural Alps-Adriatic region. An examination of these documents elucidates “in-between” practices among diverse languages and cultures, and facilitates an exploration of how individuals negotiated complex national and cultural identifications.

Efforts to Resolve Social Conflict in Facing Social Conflict Emergencies in Indonesia

The diversity of religions, ethnic identities and cultures in Indonesia has unwittingly created building blocks that disrupt the harmony of social cohesion and interrelationships. Conflicts with ethnic nuances are often associated with a spirit of ethnocentrism and narrow nationalism. Ethnocentrism is a way of thinking that makes one's own group the center of everything and becomes the benchmark for assessing and measuring other groups. Each group is assumed to cultivate its own pride and self-esteem, feel superior, glorify the sanctity of its own group and look down on other groups. Each group thinks that its group's tradition of thinking and acting is the most correct while the traditions of other groups are always viewed with disdain. Misperceptions of subjective culture in responding to the diversity of ethnic, cultural and religious identities in social life can lead to large-scale conflicts that require government intervention in efforts to resolve emergency conflicts in Indonesia.

PERSISTENCE AND REINTERPRETATION OF TRADITIONAL ARCHITECTURAL PRINCIPLES IN KENADSA

This study explores the persistence and reinterpretation of traditional architectural principles in contemporary dwellings in Kenadsa, a Saharan city in southwestern Algeria. The problem studied is how traditional architectural elements, such as inner courtyards and the use of local materials, are maintained in modern buildings despite the influence of urbanization, industrialization, and social change. The objective is to understand how these principles are adapted to meet contemporary requirements, particularly in terms of thermal comfort, energy efficiency and respect for cultural identities. To achieve this objective, a mixed methodology was adopted. It combines a thorough review of the literature with case studies on contemporary housing incorporating traditional elements. Architectural analyses, field visits, surveys and qualitative interviews with architects, planners and residents have provided rich and varied data. These data were then analyzed in a comparative manner to assess the persistence of traditional principles. The results show that, although modernist designs are predominant, there is a significant effort to integrate traditional architectural elements into contemporary houses. For example, the move from open patios to central enclosed halls illustrates an adaptation of vernacular principles to modern needs while maintaining the energy efficiency and thermal regulation of traditional buildings. These results highlight the dynamic co-habitation between cultural heritage and innovation in Kenadsa’s architecture, demonstrating that traditional principles can evolve and adapt to contemporary contexts while maintaining their relevance.