🎻Intro to Humanities Unit 10 – Cultural Anthropology & Folklore

Key Concepts and Definitions

• Cultural anthropology studies human cultures, societies, and their development through fieldwork, observation, and other qualitative and quantitative methods
• Folklore refers to the expressive culture shared by a particular group of people encompassing stories, music, dance, legends, oral history, proverbs, jokes, popular beliefs, customs, and so on
• Ethnography is the systematic study of individual cultures and involves participant observation, interviews, and surveys to understand cultural phenomena from the point of view of the subject of the study
• Ethnology compares and analyzes different cultures, examining cross-cultural similarities and differences
• Emic perspective focuses on cultural distinctions that are meaningful to the members of a given society (insiders' point of view)
  • Example: How individuals within a culture perceive and categorize the world
• Etic perspective refers to the external, social scientific perspective on a culture (outsiders' view)
  • Example: Examining cultural practices objectively based on anthropological theories and concepts
• Acculturation occurs when different cultural groups come into continuous first-hand contact leading to the original cultural patterns of either or both groups being altered
• Enculturation is the process by which individuals learn and adopt the ways and manners of their culture through experience, observation, and instruction

Historical Context and Development

• Cultural anthropology emerged in the late 19th century as a distinct field of study
  • Early influential figures include Franz Boas, Bronisław Malinowski, and Margaret Mead
• The discipline developed in the context of European colonialism and imperialism leading to a focus on non-Western, often "primitive" cultures
• Boas (1858-1942) emphasized cultural relativism, the idea that cultures should be understood in their own terms and not judged by the standards of another culture
  • Challenged the concept of cultural evolution and argued for the importance of fieldwork and studying cultures holistically
• Malinowski (1884-1942) developed the method of participant observation, immersing himself in the cultures he studied (Trobriand Islanders) and learning the native language
• Mead (1901-1978) conducted pioneering studies on adolescence and gender roles in Samoa and other Pacific Island cultures
  • Emphasized the role of culture in shaping human behavior and personality
• In the mid-20th century, cultural anthropology shifted towards more critical and reflexive approaches
  • Recognized the power dynamics inherent in the relationship between researchers and subjects
  • Increased focus on urban anthropology, globalization, and the impact of colonialism and capitalism on non-Western cultures
• Postmodern and interpretive approaches gained prominence in the 1980s and 1990s
  • Emphasized the subjectivity of ethnographic knowledge and the need for more experimental forms of writing and representation

Cultural Anthropology Basics

• Culture is the learned and shared patterns of behaviors and beliefs characteristic of a particular social, ethnic, or age group
  • Includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, custom, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by humans as members of society
• Cultural relativism holds that all cultures are equally valid and must be understood in their own terms
  • Avoids ethnocentrism, the tendency to view one's own culture as superior and to judge other cultures by one's own standards
• Holism emphasizes the interconnectedness of cultural systems and the need to understand cultures as integrated wholes
• Fieldwork is the hallmark of cultural anthropology involving firsthand, immersive observation and participation in a culture
  • Typically includes learning the native language, building rapport with informants, and keeping detailed field notes
• Kinship studies examine the social relationships between individuals in a culture based on blood ties, marriage, or other forms of alliance
  • Kinship systems vary widely across cultures and often form the basis for social organization, inheritance, and political alliances
• Economic anthropology investigates how societies organize the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services
  • Compares different modes of exchange (reciprocity, redistribution, market) and their cultural meanings
• Political anthropology focuses on power relations, decision-making processes, and conflict resolution within and between societies
  • Examines both formal political institutions and informal power dynamics in everyday life
• Anthropology of religion explores the role of religion and spirituality in human cultures
  • Investigates religious beliefs, rituals, and symbols as well as the relationship between religion and other aspects of culture (politics, economics, gender)

Folklore and Oral Traditions

• Folklore is the traditional art, literature, knowledge, and practice disseminated largely through oral communication and behavioral example
• Includes folktales, myths, legends, proverbs, riddles, songs, dances, and other cultural expressions passed down through generations
• Oral traditions are a form of human communication where knowledge, art, ideas, and cultural material is received, preserved, and transmitted orally from one generation to another
• Folktales are a type of prose narrative that typically feature human or animal characters and often convey moral lessons or cultural values
  • Example: Aesop's Fables, Grimms' Fairy Tales
• Myths are sacred narratives that explain how the world and humanity came to be in their present form
  • Often involve gods, goddesses, supernatural beings, and the creation of the universe
  • Example: Greek myths of Prometheus, Pandora, and the Olympian gods
• Legends are stories about extraordinary people or events that are believed to have a historical basis but have been embellished with fictional elements over time
  • Example: The legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table
• Proverbs are short, pithy sayings that express a general truth or piece of advice based on common sense or experience
  • Example: "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush"
• Folklore serves important social and cultural functions
  • Transmits cultural knowledge, values, and traditions across generations
  • Reinforces social norms and expectations
  • Provides entertainment and aesthetic pleasure
  • Expresses cultural identity and solidarity
• Oral traditions are an essential means of preserving and transmitting cultural heritage, especially in societies without written languages
  • Rely on memorization, repetition, and performance to ensure their survival and continuity
  • Often involve specialized performers (bards, griots, storytellers) who undergo extensive training and apprenticeship

Research Methods and Fieldwork

• Participant observation is the primary research method in cultural anthropology
  • Involves living among a community, participating in daily activities, and observing social interactions and cultural practices
  • Requires building trust and rapport with informants, learning the local language, and maintaining detailed field notes
• Ethnographic interviews are open-ended, in-depth conversations with key informants about their culture, beliefs, and experiences
  • May be unstructured (spontaneous, informal) or semi-structured (guided by a set of predetermined questions or topics)
  • Aim to elicit the insider's perspective (emic view) on cultural phenomena
• Life histories are extensive interviews with individuals about their life experiences, often focusing on a particular theme or cultural context
  • Provide a longitudinal perspective on cultural change and individual adaptation
• Surveys and questionnaires are used to collect quantitative data on cultural beliefs, practices, and demographics
  • Allow for larger sample sizes and statistical analysis but may lack the depth and nuance of qualitative methods
• Visual anthropology uses photography, film, and other visual media to document and analyze cultural phenomena
  • Provides a rich, multisensory record of cultural practices, performances, and material culture
• Archival research involves studying historical documents, photographs, and artifacts to gain insights into past cultures and cultural change over time
• Reflexivity is the process of critically examining one's own cultural background, biases, and assumptions and how they influence the research process
  • Acknowledges the power dynamics inherent in the researcher-subject relationship and strives for more collaborative, reciprocal forms of ethnography
• Ethics are a crucial consideration in anthropological fieldwork
  • Researchers must obtain informed consent, protect informants' privacy and confidentiality, and avoid causing harm or exploitation
  • Must also consider the potential impact of their research on the communities studied and strive to give back in meaningful ways

Case Studies and Examples

• Bronisław Malinowski's study of the Trobriand Islanders (1915-1918) is a classic example of participant observation and functionalist analysis
  • Examined the role of the Kula ring, a ceremonial exchange system, in maintaining social ties and political alliances between island communities
• Margaret Mead's Coming of Age in Samoa (1928) challenged Western assumptions about adolescence and gender roles
  • Argued that the stress and turmoil associated with adolescence in Western societies was not universal but culturally specific
• E. E. Evans-Pritchard's Witchcraft, Oracles, and Magic Among the Azande (1937) examined the cultural logic and social functions of witchcraft beliefs in a Sudanese society
  • Showed how accusations of witchcraft served to explain misfortune, reinforce social norms, and maintain political order
• Clifford Geertz's The Interpretation of Cultures (1973) introduced the concept of "thick description" and interpretive anthropology
  • Argued for a more literary, experiential approach to ethnography that captures the richness and complexity of cultural meanings
• Nancy Scheper-Hughes' Death Without Weeping (1992) explored the cultural and structural forces shaping maternal love and child death in a Brazilian shantytown
  • Examined how extreme poverty, political oppression, and cultural beliefs about child development led to high rates of infant mortality and maternal detachment
• Philippe Bourgois' In Search of Respect (1995) is an ethnography of crack dealers in East Harlem, New York City
  • Examined how the underground economy of drug dealing provided a means of survival and a source of identity for young Puerto Rican men in a context of urban poverty and social marginalization
• Lila Abu-Lughod's Writing Women's Worlds (1993) is a feminist ethnography of Bedouin women in Egypt
  • Used life histories and personal narratives to challenge stereotypes of Arab women as passive and oppressed
  • Highlighted the ways in which women negotiated power and autonomy within the constraints of patriarchal culture

Contemporary Applications

• Applied anthropology uses anthropological theories, methods, and insights to solve practical problems in various domains
  • Examples include public health, education, development, environmental conservation, and business
• Medical anthropology examines the cultural, social, and structural factors influencing health, illness, and healing across societies
  • Investigates traditional medical systems, health disparities, and the globalization of biomedicine
  • Applied in areas such as pandemic response, mental health interventions, and community-based health promotion
• Development anthropology focuses on the social and cultural dimensions of economic development and poverty alleviation
  • Examines the unintended consequences of development projects, the role of local knowledge and participation, and alternative models of sustainable development
• Environmental anthropology studies the complex relationships between human societies and their natural environments
  • Investigates traditional ecological knowledge, resource management practices, and the impacts of climate change on indigenous communities
  • Applied in areas such as biodiversity conservation, natural resource management, and environmental justice
• Business anthropology applies anthropological concepts and methods to the study of organizational cultures, consumer behavior, and product design
  • Helps companies understand the cultural contexts of global markets, design culturally appropriate products and services, and manage diversity in the workplace
• Anthropology of education examines the cultural transmission of knowledge, values, and skills through formal and informal educational institutions
  • Investigates the role of schools in reproducing or challenging social inequalities, the impact of cultural diversity on learning, and alternative models of education
• Anthropology of media explores the production, circulation, and consumption of media in different cultural contexts
  • Examines the role of media in shaping cultural identities, social relations, and political movements
  • Investigates the impact of new media technologies on traditional cultural practices and power structures

Controversies and Debates

• The concept of culture itself has been a subject of debate within anthropology
  • Some argue that the term is too broad, essentializing, and politically loaded
  • Others defend its usefulness as a heuristic device for understanding human diversity and commonality
• The relationship between anthropology and colonialism has been a source of ongoing critique and self-reflection within the discipline
  • Early anthropologists often worked in the service of colonial administrations, collecting information to facilitate control over colonized peoples
  • Postcolonial and decolonial approaches seek to deconstruct the colonial legacy of anthropology and develop more equitable, collaborative forms of research
• The ethics of anthropological fieldwork have come under scrutiny, particularly in light of past abuses and exploitation of research subjects
  • Issues include informed consent, privacy, ownership of cultural knowledge, and the potential for harm or unintended consequences
  • Calls for more participatory, community-based approaches that prioritize the needs and perspectives of research participants
• The politics of representation in ethnography have been widely debated
  • Questions of authorial authority, voice, and the power dynamics inherent in the act of representing others' cultures
  • Experimental forms of ethnographic writing (dialogic, polyvocal, reflexive) aim to destabilize the authority of the anthropologist and give more space to indigenous voices and perspectives
• The role of anthropology in addressing contemporary global challenges is a matter of ongoing discussion and debate
  • Some argue for a more engaged, activist anthropology that directly intervenes in issues such as poverty, inequality, and climate change
  • Others caution against the dangers of overreach and the need to maintain critical distance and reflexivity
• The relationship between anthropology and other disciplines (sociology, history, psychology, biology) is a source of both collaboration and tension
  • Interdisciplinary approaches offer new insights and methodologies but also raise questions about the boundaries and distinctiveness of anthropology as a field
• The future of anthropology in an increasingly globalized, interconnected world is a topic of ongoing speculation and debate
  • Challenges include the blurring of cultural boundaries, the acceleration of social and technological change, and the need for new conceptual and methodological tools
  • Opportunities include the potential for anthropology to contribute to pressing global issues and to forge new forms of intercultural understanding and collaboration