It is said that the Africa culture stands out more than any other culture In the World. With a rich and diverse culture African culture is known to change from county to county, many cultures along with traditions are found in Africa which makes Africa diverse, unique and mesmerizing in many ways to the world. Africa culture is all about the ethnic group’s family traditions, the literature, art and music shows the religion along with the social paths of their culture. (Nafisa Baxamusa, 2011)…
Commonly referred to as Bushmen by the general public and thought of as being harsh wild people that live in the “unlivable” Kalahari Desert. The Ju /’hoansi tribe native to the southern African desert, located along the border of Namibia and Botswana, have been misunderstood and stereotyped for a long time. This is until a man by the name of Richard B. Lee came along and wrote an ethnography about the local systems of the Ju and completely changed how an outsider might view this rural tribe, along with being a fine example of proper long-term field research in social anthropology. This highly regarded book on the Ju /’hoansi is titled “The Dobe Ju /’hoansi.” Although Lee states in the preface to the first edition that a book like this, “can only hint at the fragility of this quality of life”(Lee 2003: xi) it can also scream- understand these people more thoroughly because of how unique and fragile their lifestyle actually is. This paper is going to take a look at what exactly makes this particular material something worthy of critically analyzing in cultural anthropology. Questions that would need to be examined to analyze critically from an ethnographic standpoint would consist of; what are some goals by the author? what role does the structure play in sequencing? Is there a particular method used? What kinds of theories are addressed?…
Dancing Skeletons: Life and Death in West Africa is a non-fiction book written by Katherine Dettwyler, who traveled to the countries of West Africa for her field research for her Ph.D. in nutritional anthropology, specializing in infant feeding and child health in Mali, West Africa. Among all the chapters in her book, Dettwyler touches on very important topics that make the West African societies/cultures what it is today. Economics, family size, gender, social status, disease, malnutrition, and poverty all play an important role that makes Mali a different than the United States, but working population.…
III. Anthropological Topics Covered: Many of the anthropological topics the author Katherine Dettwyler covered in the book, Dancing Skeletons: Life and Death in West Africa, are “ethnocentrism; the evaluation of other culture according to preconceived notions originating from one’s own cultural customs and beliefs, culture shock; subjected to an unfamiliar way or life or set of attitudes, population control, breastfeeding, child care, the meaning of disability and child death in different cultures, female circumcision, women’s roles in patrilineal societies, the dangers of fieldwork, and facing emotionally draining realities” (Dettwyler, 2014). One of the main cultural aspects of Malian society that I believe is noteworthy and worth illustrating and expressing in further detail are the diseases and illnesses that are associated with the direct malnutrition and lack of proper healthcare education and accessibility within the West African regions.…
(I i 6), nor it is about celestial symbolism hinting fate as the manipulator of “civil blood” (I I 4) “in fair Verona” (I i 2). Instead, Romeo and Juliet portrays a love not for another, but a love of unhealthy obsession, for the sins of the minds true desires. Desires disguised as love, unity, and wit, but when uncloaked the sins of lust, division, and malice begin to materialize.…
Amy Tan uses thoughtful laughter in her novel, The Joy Luck Club, to make a point through laughter or humor. Thoughtful laughter is effective because it grabs the attention of the reader and expresses a point, whether the reader knows it or not. One scene that provokes thoughtful laughter is in the chapter “Best Quality” while the family picks crabs to eat. When there was only two crabs left, Jing-Mei Woo tries to choose the crab with the missing leg, so her mom would have the better crab. On page 227 during the meal, Jing-Mei Woo says “That's the way Chinese mothers show they love their children, not through hugs and kisses but the stern offering of steamed dumplings, duck gizzards, and crab.” The Chinese mothers in The Joy Luck Club show affection to their daughters differently through non-obvious manners, such as showing off their daughters or giving…
Yet his attitude echoes so much of the depiction of Africa; this attitude, following Achebe's depiction of the Igbo, seems hollow and savage. Digression is one of Achebe's most important tools. Although the novel's central story is the tragedy of Okonkwo, Achebe takes any opportunity he can to digress and relate anecdotes and tertiary incidents. The novel is part documentary, but the liveliness of Achebe's narrative protects the book from reading like an anthropology text. We are allowed to see the Igbo through their own eyes, as they celebrate the various rituals and holidays that mark important moments in the year and in the people's live.…
Richard Lee’s piece, “Eating Christmas in the Kalahari,” describes his experience living with the !Kung Bushmen of the Kalahari Desert in south central Africa, but it does more than just reiterate a three year stint with a native African tribe. It also serves as documentation of another instance of how different societies of people distinguish themselves from one another with certain customs and differences in how they conduct themselves socially.…
Jensen, Jon. "Luther College." Sustainability: Anthropology in East Africa: Culture Change Among the Maasai. N.p., 8 Oct. 2013. Web. 12 Nov. 2014.…
Ralph Ellison in his essay, "An Extravagance of Laughter" demonstrated the living condition of black life in the segregated 1930's. Ellison grew up in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Unfortunately, His father past away when he was only three. He lived with his mother and brother in absolute poverty, but always believe that he could overcome the limits of racial prejudice. Throughout the years, Ellison fell in love with Africa-American music (Jazz). He played Trumpet and thought himself Louis Armstrong solos.…
In Africa, people celebrate their “daughter’s uri” (Achebe 94). A uri is an engagement party. Achebe uses real life situations that readers can relate to rather than using strange words with no explanations--like Conrad. Achebes’s use of serious situations help the readers relate to the story of the Igbo people and learn more about the real Africa. Africa has “900 million people who are too busy starving and dying and warring and emigrating” (Wainaina 92). By using sarcasm it is a way to subtly let people know what they think is wrong. Wainaina is eludes to the fact that thinking that all 900 million people in Africa are starving is ridiculous without saying it out right. This style of writing can appeal to people who want to read about a real thing but do not want it to be serious. The writings of Achebe and Wainaina let people see the real side of…
“Eating Christmas in the Kalahari” by Richard Borshay Lee, shows not only how tough it is for an ethnographer to get away from his own beliefs, but it also gives us an example of how personal interpretations can interfere between people.…
I am very pleased and honored to see that our IUPUI students are able and willing to take the trip to Africa to explore a different culture from our own. I want you all to use this opportunity as a learning experience. Throughout this trip I want you fellow students to remember to avoid being ethnocentric. Therefore, I would like to inform you all about the very distinct Ju'/Hoansi culture and what you can expect moving forward. As you read this please keep an open mind and remember that the culture we are used to and Ju'/Hoansi culture have very little similarities.…
Ogbaa, Kalu (1999). “Cultural Harmony I: Igboland – the World of Man and the World of…
Communication can be loosely defined as the transmission, or the exchange of data or information between individuals, groups or organisations, through various forms of mediums (Miller, 2002). It is one of the most important, if not, the most important aspect of our individual lives. Communication allows our ideas, thoughts and feelings to be conveyed, shared and hence interactions between individuals can take place. It can exist in simple non-verbal forms such a baby smiling to show joy and interest in a new toy and switching on the left turn indicator signal when driving to notify other road users of one’s intention. It can also take a more vocal or verbal and higher form such as reciting a poem or delivering a speech in front of live audiences and a short movie clip used to garner awareness and educate the general public on important social issues. Communication as such, has far and wide boundaries and importance at the individual level, and definitely has greater importance and impact in organisations, where hundreds, if not, thousands of individuals gather and work alongside each other.…