Cultural Mosaic Research Articles

Religion and Emotions Towards Artificial Intelligence: Christians, Non-Christians and Non-Believers

The article aims to determine what is the relationship between someone’s religious affiliation and their emotional reaction(s) in relation to artificial intelligence (AI). Religion is an important element of society’s cultural mosaic, and it undoubtedly influences emotional reactions to AI. This constitutes a premise for examining how one’s religion can influence attitudes toward AI. The research applied an ANOVA variation analysis comparing the emotional reactions of students toward AI depending on their declared religious belonging. This allowed the identification of different emotional responses, such as fear, sadness and anger, among Christian, non-Christian and non-religious participants. The analysis reveals that there are significant differences in the emotional reception of AI between followers of various religions and those declaring themselves as not religious with varied responses in the latter group. Christians display moderate emotions toward AI, with a slight predominance of positive reactions. Non-Christians express slightly more intense feelings, both positive and negative. Non-believers exhibit the greatest variety of emotions with the greatest intensity. The results point to the need of taking religion into account in the process of designing and implementing AI. This may contribute to a greater acceptance of technology in religiously and culturally pluralistic societies.

A Study of Customary Laws and Child Adoption Practices by Infertile Parents Amongst the Rongmei Tribes With Special Reference to Noney District, Manipur

The Rongmei, otherwise referred to as “Kabui“, is a significant indigenous ethnic community and one of the prominent Naga tribes having their beautiful vibrant cultural heritage, traditional music, dance and customary rites and rituals, inhabiting primarily in the northeastern states of India, Manipur, Assam, Nagaland, and Tripura. The Rongmei people still contribute to the rich tapestry of cultures in this region of India, and their distinctive traditions continue to play a vital role in shaping the cultural mosaic of this ethnically diverse part of the country. Large numbers of this tribe concentrate in the state of Manipur, particularly in Nrianghluang (Tamenglong) district, north-west of Manipur and speaking the Language know as “Ruanglat” with their currently written in Roman Alphabets, but also they are working on developing a new Script. Infertility problem in traditional Rongmei family is believed to be caused by the evil spirit called Kairoa. Kairoa are the evil spirits of the ancestors who died an unnatural deaths (e.g. suicide, lightening strike etc.) in order to perform a ritual successfully the family has to study the history of their ancestors to find out if there is any Kairoa in the families in the past. Before performing the fertility Ritual, the family members has to make appease with this spirits. Adoption on the other hand is an age old tradition of Rongmei infertile parents to have an offspring outside of their marriage. In spite of all the rituals perform for fertility of the married couples, if the infertile couple did not have a child, they look forward to adopt a child. Rongmei community in traditional way has their own way of child adoption practices. Generally there is no definite rule exist in the Rongmei tribal community. It is mainly the married couple to decide whom to adopt as their offspring. This research paper will study on the fertility rituals adoption practices perform by the village elders and this work will be a significant contribution to the lacking documentation of the oral traditions which are richly practice by this community, Rongmei. It will also give light to the future generations to consider their traditional laws and customs significantly beyond legalities.

Inclusion Norms in Ontario Settlement Agencies as Workplaces: Between Prefiguration and Systemic Exclusion

This article examines the issue of inclusivity within nonprofit organizations as workplaces, focusing on the perspective of immigrant frontline workers of the Ontario settlement sector. Using a community-based collaborative approach, 25 frontline workers were invited to describe their experiences of integration of differences at work, involvement in decision-making, and equitable working conditions. Eight managers from the same agencies were also interviewed to better understand the policies and practices in their organization. The semi-directed interviews revealed that, while most organizations successfully integrate differences, there are some significant limitations regarding the involvement of immigrant frontline workers in decision-making and fair employment practices. This demonstrates a persistent form of systemic exclusion at the heart of Canada’s cultural mosaic.

Origins of Modernity: Plečnik and Grabrijan

The first part of this research is based on the analysis of several articles published by Dušan Grabrijan in the late 1940s and early 1950s, his book Plečnik in njegova šola (Plečnik and His School), and the analysis of Grabrijan’s teaching method rooted in Auguste Choisy’s book Histoire de l’architecture (Choisy, 1899), published as a study script. The book Plečnik in njegova šola (Grabrijan, 1968) is based on Grabrijan’s published and unpublished texts, some of which were originally written during his WWII imprisonment. It attempts to critically contextualize, evaluate, and present Plečnik’s work. The book was edited by his wife, Prof. Nada Grabrijan, and published posthumously in 1968.One of the first three of Plečnik’s graduates, Dušan Grabrijan, is the author of the Memorial to Slovenian Modernity in Ljubljana Žale Cemetery (dedicated to Ivan Cankar, Dragotin Kette, and Josip Murn, with Oton Župančič’s memorial added later, designed by his son, architect Marko Župančič), built between 1924-25 as a result of a winning student competition in Plečnik’s seminar. The memorial was commissioned and funded by Milena Rohrmann. The composition is tripartite, with a reference to Mount Triglav, consisting of three joint columns, of which Ivan Cankar is the tallest and placed in the center. The memorial follows Plečnik’s design principles.The final part of the paper will examine Plečnik’s modernity and his classical yet modern understanding of the architectural discipline, his ‘flexible classicism’ with his inventiveness, playfulness, daring upcycling, experimentation with materials, forms, and structures, all within the frame of highly developed local crafts, not industry. Indeed, the building industry only really developed after WWII in socialist Yugoslavia. Dušan Grabrijan and Juraj Neidhardt were among the first architects in the region to face the new challenges in architecture. They were trying to answer the new questions: How to connect the new role of an architect, industrialization, and new social needs with the mosaic of local cultures, contexts, and communities, and how to apply Plečnik’s human scale to the modernist architecture of the Balkans?

The Evolution and Mainstreaming of Subcultures:Challenges and the Pursuit of Harmonious Coexistence

With the rise of consumer culture, the diversification of personal identity needs, and the strong influence of social media, niche subcultures are gradually developing towards mass popularization. This article delineates the definitions of subculture articulated by scholars across different eras, exploring subculture’s true essence and its gradual evolution into a “cultural mosaic” and penetration into mainstream culture. Combined with the statistics on the number of views of subculture content on social media, this paper reveals the widespread popularity of contemporary subculture. However, further investigation reveals various challenges and issues subcultures face, both internal and external, in mainstreaming, including social stereotypes, legal restrictions, conflicts with mainstream ideologies, and the inherent exclusivity of subcultures. Moreover, mainstreaming subcultures has introduced a series of negative effects, such as cultural alienation, the loss of original spirit and values due to commercialization, and the dilution and erosion of cultural essence. These phenomena pose a potential threat to the uniqueness of subcultures.

Navigating the Cultural Paradox: The Dual Role of Globalisation in Propagating Cultural Hybridisation and Nationalism

Abstract: This paper engages in a comprehensive exploration of the cultural paradox that is manifested by globalization's dual role in disseminating cultural hybridization and nationalism.Globalization not only promotes the fusion of different cultural elements, resulting in cultural hybridization phenomena. For example, the global success of South Korean pop music K-Pop, which combines Western and Korean musical elements, embodies a cultural product that is a harmonious blend of global and local cultures generated by globalization. At the same time, globalization also triggers cultural nationalism. Represented by the ideology of "America First", in the face of threats brought by globalization, it emphasizes protecting national culture and economic interests. Nationalism is a counter-reaction to globalization. The paradox of globalization lies in its role as a catalyst for both cultural hybridization and nationalism. Its complex dynamics affect the development of culture and people's perception of identity. In the future, as cultural exchanges continue to be intensified by technology and globalization, elements of hybridization and nationalism will continue to shape our world. They will influence individual and collective assertions of identity and manifest in various fields from arts and media to politics and economics. In this balancing act lies the potential to create a world that honors and appreciates the multiplicity of cultures while preserving diversity, comprising the riveting mosaic of global culture.

A REVIEW ON MOTHER GODDESS PARADOX IN LYDIAN SYNCRETISM

The cultural mosaic of the Lydian civilization manifests itself most intensely in its religious structure. Many gods and goddesses attract attention in Lydian syncretism. While goddesses stand out with their different characteristics, the problem of the mother goddess has long been a subject of curiosity for today's researchers. This situation has the nature of a paradox as there is no consensus on this situation with different opinions. Lydian goddesses of Anatolian and Greek origin stood out with their different characteristics and spheres of influence. However, which one is the mother goddess remains a mystery. Artemis, Demeter, Kore, Kybele and Athena are the goddesses most frequently mentioned in ancient sources and most frequently depicted in visual finds. In this case, the Greek goddesses, who are numerous in number, and the famous Anatolian goddess Kybele, whose sphere of influence is quite wide and in a powerful position, face each other in the same pantheon. In this study, an evaluation was made by considering the influence areas of Lydian goddesses and their frequency of reflection in existing epigraphic and numismatic finds. In this evaluation of the mother goddess paradox in Lydian syncretism, ancient artifacts, Sardis inscriptions and coins were mainly examined.

A Sephardic female odyssey: homecoming in Ruth Knafo Setton’s The Road to Fez

ABSTRACT Moroccan Jewish writer Ruth Knafo Setton’s novel, The Road to Fez, challenges the Eurocentric silencing of Sephardic female agency. Setton depicts a reverse exile through her main character, Brit, whose return to Morocco subverts the dispossession and uprooting of the Moroccan Sephardim following their forced exile. Central to Setton’s novel is an effort to put emphasis on the Moroccan Judeo-Islamic landscape and mythology. In re-vindicating Moroccan Jewish-Muslim heritage, The Road to Fez further questions the exclusion of Sephardic female voices in Eurocentric readings of Jewishness. Setton presents an alternative Jewish perspective through Moroccan Judeo myths and legends. This article analyzes Setton’s magical realist integration of Moroccan spirituality and superstition into her narrative as an attempt to de-Orientalize the Sephardic female experience. The article argues that Setton incorporates supernatural elements like spell-making and “djnoun” into a realistic setting to express the rich mosaic of Sephardic Moroccan culture and to destabilize pan-Arabist, Zionist and colonial occlusions of Arab Judeo identity.

National Character and State Defense Based on Local Tapis Lampung Culture as an Effort to Strengthen National Identity

Indonesia, with a diverse population of many ethnic groups and rich cultural heritage, is a global, non-competitive multicultural country. Like the variety of flowers in this country's gardens, Indonesia's mosaic of cultures and beliefs is also diverse. Indonesia's rich cultural diversity attracts tourists and is a source of innovation for creative industries. In an effort to fortify Indonesian nationalism, this research aims to display handmade art works by Tapis Lampung. The research methodology used is qualitative using descriptive literature study methodology. Based on research findings, Tapis Lampung is a type of traditional textile that is embroidered with decorative sugi designs using cotton thread and silver or gold thread. The Lampung indigenous people store their life values and character in this Tapis cloth, which is also used in various traditional, religious and wedding events. One of the characteristics of Indonesian society is the Tapis Lampung cloth which is widely sold both domestically and internationally. Tapis Lampung is a cultural achievement of the Lampung people, according to examination from various sources.

Song and poetic text Bella ciao in a mosaic of languages, cultures and arts

The development of textology and intertextuality opens up new perspectives in the interpretation of famous texts, including the song of the Italian Resistance participants Bella ciao . Its numerous polymodal representations in different languages and arts account for the need to systematize them on uniform methodological grounds. The material of the article is the song and poetic text in Italian dialects and in the common Italian neo-standard, its translations into Romance languages, interpretations in Russian, Caucasian and other languages, as well as multimedia and polychannel versions. The goal of the article is to discuss intertextual, semantic and semiotic parameters of the text; to establish the parameters of internal and external intertextuality of the versions of the original text; and to characterize the precedent phenomena serving as the basis for the development and transformation of their aesthetics. The study aims to build and interpret the precedent links and associations of the song Bella ciao in its intertextual transformations; to determine its specificity in the semiocultural conditions of reading and interpretation and at the same time to evaluate its place in the context of Italian and world culture. The methodology is based on a set of methods at the intersection of linguosemiotic, functional and semantic approaches focusing on such parameters of the text as precedence, variation, correlation of linguistic and non-linguistic codes, comparison of the original and translations, polycode, polymodal and translation transformations. The study has established that, as a result of numerous intertextual transformations, the original text expressing unique Italian cultural meanings acquires new interpretations acting as a starting point or the development of both precedent and new plots. It is used as a polycoded intersemiotic model for the creation of new interpretations and, in the long term, becomes a tool for the preservation and reproduction of cultural memory.

NARATIVNI MOZAIK CRNOGORSKE I PRIMORSKE KULTURE U PRIPOVIJETKAMA S. M. LJUBIŠE

Thesis ,,Narrative mosaic of Montenegrin and coastal culture in stories of S. M. Ljubiša” involves the research of a corpus of eight short stories applying the methods of semiotics and imagology as the leading contemporary approaches to the study of literary works. The work should show us what signs Ljubiša used to construct the Montenegrin and coastal cultural model, and, among other things, give us an answer about the (non)complementarity of the then separated, but now united, territories. Ljubiša's portrayal of Montenegrin culture will also be seen in comparison with the foundation of the Montenegrin literary canon, and we have tried to show that his work, as a universally oriented personality, can be studied in an interdisciplinary manner by emphasizing the pragmatic side of the sign, pointing to its geosymbolic potential. Keywords: semiotics, sign, imagology, I, you, being and herois

Party Politics in West Bengal: Historical and Contemporary Dynamics

Party politics in West Bengal is a complex and ever-evolving phenomenon deeply rooted in the state's socio-cultural history. This overview explores the dynamic landscape of party politics in West Bengal, tracing its historical evolution and examining the key players, ideological underpinnings, electoral strategies, and socio-economic factors that have influenced voter preferences over the years. From the pre-independence era's freedom struggle to the contemporary political dynamics dominated by the All-India Trinamool Congress (AITC) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), West Bengal's political journey reflects its vibrant cultural mosaic and socio-political complexities. This paper also discusses the current scenario in West Bengal, highlighting the role of various political parties in recent local and assembly elections. The methodology involves a comprehensive review of academic papers and journals on various aspects of West Bengal's politics, governance, and societal dynamics. While existing literature touches on governance-related aspects like healthcare policies, decentralisation, and power sector reforms, there is a research gap in integrating these elements to provide a holistic assessment of West Bengal's governance model. The paper identifies this research gap and calls for a more comprehensive study that explores the interplay of political decisions, decentralisation efforts, and policy reforms in shaping the state's development and governance outcomes.

Exposing Uganda’s Cultural Mosaic: An examination of the Endingidi’s origins, educational and aesthetic dimensions

The field of music analysis has experienced significant growth, encompassing diverse aspects such as corporal movements in instrumental performance, dance studies, and cognition-centric methodologies. This paper provides a historical overview of the endingidi, a traditional tube-fiddle, within a broader context. It examines the materials used in constructing the endingidi as well as the challenges encountered in this process. Additionally, the paper explores the performative expressive elements of the endingidi, including accompanying gestures. Despite the enduring presence of the endingidi as a timeless traditional instrument, there remains a notable gap in comprehensive studies that unravel its intricate cultural significance, an oversight this investigation conscientiously seeks to address. The study identifies challenges in material sourcing for the endingidi due to scarcity and environmental degradation. Proposed interventions include afforestation, alternative materials, government support, and community engagement. Emphasizing sustainable practices and responsible harvesting, it urges government leadership, documentation of techniques, and community support for artisans. Linking to broader music education challenges, it advocates for government resource allocation. Providing a nuanced understanding of the endingidi, it underscores multidimensional approaches to safeguarding it as part of Ugandan cultural heritage, highlighting the importance of sustainability, research, government, and community involvement in preservation efforts.

Documentary as an Alternative Conservation Method for Cultural Values of Andir District

Culture, as a multifaceted entity serves as a mirror reflecting how individuals interact with their surroundings and one another. Andir, a district located in Bandung Region of West Java, Indonesia with its rich tapestry of history and cultural diversity, demands a way to creatively preserve and showcase its cultural dynamic. By choosing documentary filmmaking as an instrument to record and safeguard the essence of cultural diversity of Andir, the authors gained a way to subjective and participatory exploration into the colorful scenes situated in Andir. Several techniques of immersion in the field such as walk-around and treasures mapping is employed in the filmmaking to construct a subjective experience and became a way of participatory learning of Andir’s culture for the people involved in this initiative. Documentary filmmaking emerges as an indispensable tool for recording and safeguarding the essence of Andir’s culture that allows for a more authentic portrayal of the cultural landscape. As a medium, it stands as a pivotal container of conservation through visual storytelling that amplifies the documentation and representation of cultural legacies for the next generation and for the audience. This study highlights the result of mapping the cultural dynamic that can be observed in socio-economic activities, culinary culture, and architecture. These are considered as the cultural assets in which the principles construct the cultural value of tolerance identified in Andir. It is then documented to construct the visual storytelling of documentary and to empower cultural conservation by creative media to raise awareness and foster future collaborative efforts. By showcasing the multifaceted cultural exchanges occurring within Andir in the visual storytelling, it offers a window into the cultural intricacies that define this community while becoming a medium that conserves the cultural scenery of everyday life. The film also captures the "Village of Tolerance", as a government initiative that showcase the general perception of diversity and unity. Documentary filmmaking of Andir is a preservation effort to portray authentically the vibrant cultural mosaic that deserves further dedicated archival endeavours.

Chathi Mai in Popular Imagination: Exploring Narratives, Worship, and Rituals in North India

This paper explores the varied narratives surrounding Chathi Mai, which do not find a mention in the normative texts. These narratives showcase the blending of religious beliefs with regional traditions in the imagination of her worshippers. Focusing on Kartika Chatha specifically, the study delves into the narratives that depict the Goddess as a healer, protector, and feminine energy tied to the Sun. Our fieldwork in Varanasi, Patna, Munger, and Sahibganj reveals diverse origin stories, showcasing the cultural mosaic of regions venerating her. The research comprehensively examines the evolutionary trajectory of Chathi Mai’s worship, emphasizing the synthesis of mythological elements and local folklore. Three key facets—the manifestation of feminine energy, the significance of the title “Mai,” and the complementary relationship between male and female principles—are explored to provide a nuanced understanding of the Goddess’s multifaceted identity in North India. The absence of normative texts enhances grassroots adaptability, allowing for localized interpretations in the popular imagination of the Goddess. Associations with the Sun god Surya and the continuity of divine male-female dynamics provide varied entry points for believers, enabling emotional connections and familial devotion. The duality of malevolence and benevolence adds complexity, making worship dynamic and responsive to challenges. Linking Chatthi Mai to Bihar’s regional identity integrates the tradition into daily life, promoting a sense of belonging. The evolving narratives contribute to the deity’s adaptability, relevance, and popularity, with potential for further research exploring folk religions’ adaptation to societal changes and the impact of evolving narratives on community dynamics.

The theory of the regional security complex — Case study, the riparian states of the Black Sea

Known in Antiquity as the Pontus Euxinus, the Black Sea has been the bridge between European and Eastern civilizations since ancient times. Possessing a multi-varied mosaic of cultures, the Black Sea area has facilitated over the centuries, both the development of commercial and political relations and the maintenance and production of conflicts, being like the Sword of Damocles. Located at the intersection of three security zones (Euro-Atlantic, Russian, and Eastern), the Black Sea is currently a vulnerable space in terms of security. Heir to Byzantine culture, most of the riparian states have a complicated internal and external policy, being caught between the idealism of the Western world and the realism of the Eastern European space. At the same time, the revisionism of the Russian Federation and Turkey in terms of foreign policy will also mean a change in the dynamics of the relations between the states bordering the Black Sea, which could result either in its return to the status of a Russian lake or in a division of the spheres of influence between the Russian Federation and Turkey. In this sense, in order to analyze the future security dynamics of the riparian states, we used the theory of the regional security complex, which we consider very appropriate in our study of the Black Sea region.

Rock and China: From Cui Jian to Second Hand Rose

Whether its mainland Chinas Hao Fang or Taiwans Zhang Tiezhi, they are both committed to constructing a resistance narrative to describe the rise and development of rock music. [1] Zhang Tiezhi believes that the emergence of rock music in mainland China has already carried the banner of enlightenment. [2] He also mentioned that rock music, together with poetry, films, the documentary River Elegy, and the book series Toward the Future, collectively constituted the enlightenment power of the chaotic era. [2] However, as part of the cultural mosaic of mainland China in the 1980s, how was rock music shaped, reconstructed, and utilized in the power system of commerce, culture, and politics? How does rock music interact and create tension with other cultural phenomena? With the tremendous changes in Chinese society in the 21st century, facing different historical contexts, has Chinese rock music also undergone changes? Unfortunately, Zhang did not delve into these questions seriously, and at the same time, mainland Chinese rock musicians have not included these questions in their thinking. This paper selects Cui Jian and the Second Hand Rose band as representatives of Chinese rock music in different periods. Through the theoretical perspectives of political philosophy, sociology, and history, it analyzes their lyrical texts and historical backgrounds, delving into Cui Jians unique understanding of revolution and capitalism as a rock superstar of the 1980s, and how this understanding has shaped the unique sensory structure of Chinese rock musicians. At the same time, this paper aims to provide some insights for the future development of Chinese rock music.

Cultural Diversity & Policy Making: India’s G-20 Presidency.

India's policy, diplomacy, and international outreach endeavours are shaped by its cultural diversity and richness, which presents the nation's distinct identity to the globe. The main issues covered in a number of topics are summarized in this abstract, including cultural diplomacy, policies influenced by diversity, India's soft power potential, and methods for promoting Indian culture internationally. India has the potential to be a soft power due to its rich cultural legacy, dynamic democracy, and long history. India has demonstrated its power to affect global agendas and perceptions through cultural, diplomatic, and economic methods through projects such as its presidency of the G-20. India promotes its ideals of inclusion, tolerance, and respect for all people by utilizing its rich cultural legacy to build international collaboration and ties. India's foreign policy is based on cultural diplomacy, which allows the nation to present its rich history and customs to the world. India facilitates intercultural discourse, strengthens interpersonal relationships, and advances a more comprehensive comprehension of its multifaceted cultural mosaic through the organization of cultural exchanges, festivals, and exhibitions. India connects with global audiences through cultural centers, educational exchange programs, and internet outreach to promote awareness and recognition of its cultural richness. India's diverse culture has an impact on policy in a number of areas, including social welfare, language, education, and healthcare. India undertakes programs to protect minority rights, encourage linguistic variety, and incorporate indigenous knowledge systems into governance and development strategies because it understands the value of protecting and developing cultural heritage. India keeps its promise to social justice and inclusivity by tackling socioeconomic inequalities and empowering neglected populations. There are many different ways to promote Indian culture internationally, ranging from digital outreach and cultural diplomacy to supporting the cultural industries and encouraging tourism. India uses its cultural resources to draw visitors, present its artistic creations, and promote cross-cultural exchange via international cultural institutions, festivals, and exhibitions. India's attempts to promote its unique cultural history are strengthened when it collaborates with international organizations, educational institutions, and diaspora populations. This increases global appreciation and recognition of India's cultural outreach. In summary, India's cultural diversity and richness are important advantages that help to shape its foreign ties and global identity. India bolsters its soft power and promotes more understanding, collaboration, and harmony in an increasingly interconnected globe by embracing its cultural history, fostering cultural exchange, and interacting with global audiences.

The Relationship between Religiosity Level and Emotional Responses to Artificial Intelligence in University Students

This article aims to analyze the correlations between the level of religiosity and emotional responses to artificial intelligence (AI). In these times marked by the growing penetration of artificial intelligence into people’s everyday lives, it is important to identify the sociocultural determinants of attitudes towards this increasingly dynamically developing technology. A significant element of society’s cultural mosaic is religiosity, and, as such, it undoubtedly has an effect on emotional responses to AI. This is a reason to investigate how religions and religiosity impact attitudes towards AI. The study used Welch’s analysis of variance (ANOVA) to compare university students’ emotional reactions to AI across religiosity levels, which allowed for identifying significant differences in the levels of emotions such as fear, sadness, and anger between irreligious, religious, and indifferent groups. Significant differences in emotional responses to AI were found between individuals with different religiosity levels. Compared to irreligious and indifferent students, the religious ones more often showed intense emotions, such as fear and anger. The results indicate the need to include the issues of religion and religiosity in the process of designing and implementing AI. This may contribute to a greater acceptance of this technology in a society of individuals with different levels of religiosity. Understanding the effect of religiosity on the response to AI is also of considerable importance for the development and implementation of ethically responsible AI solutions, which should take account of the diversity of individuals’ beliefs and value systems.

Creation of ‘other’ in their own country, politicized identity-based division, and the rise of hostility toward ‘out-group’ in a multi-ethnic, poly-cultural world: a study on genocide prevention, human security, and peacebuilding

ABSTRACT In the era of globalization, no country is monocultural today. All countries are cultural mosaics since different ethnic groups have their own unique set of traditions. It is particularly important to appreciate and respect these traditions since they represent an integral part of our cultural heritage. Likewise, in many countries, the majority population is far greater than all the minorities combined, whereas, in others, the minority groups all together comprise a significantly large number. In this increasingly integrated yet fragmented world, many multi-ethnic countries face the challenges of preventing cultural conflicts between diverse groups and finding solutions. A fresh wave of persecution and violence against minority groups for their membership in a pluralistic society has escalated in many parts of the world, altering the climate of peaceful coexistence and democratic oversight. Such challenges are particularly pressing for marginalized, vulnerable groups. The article endeavors to foster a more holistic interpretation of the questions: why do some regions of the world experience major incidents of ‘crimes against humanity' and gross human rights violations while others do not, and how do the ‘us vs. them’ politics, politicians, and other leaders subtly transform civilians into killers? The article also examines the triggering factors of major tragedies, particularly what sets off acts of ethnic cleansing or genocide. As such, exploring the demagogues’ malicious mission to subvert justice, democratic success, and the rule of law, creating destructive cultures on the path to mass atrocities, is the additional emphasis of this piece. This entry’s relevance depends on the quest for the conditions and prospects for conflict transformation, peacebuilding, and peaceful cohabitation across different cultural traditions in the changing socio-political and cultural milieu owing to contemporary global shifts to authoritarianism and illiberal populism.