Found 58 Articles for Anthropology

Introduction Social stratification refers to how society is divided into different layers or classes based on factors such as wealth, power, and prestige. It is a central concept in sociology and is closely related to issues of social inequality and social mobility. In this article, we will explore the various theories that have been developed to understand the nature and characteristics of social stratification and examine the key elements that make up the stratified structure of society. Figure : Concept of Social Stratification What is Social Stratification Social stratification refers to the hierarchical arrangement of individuals or ... Read More

IntroductionThe search for social science in the nineteenth century served as the foundation for both anthropology and sociology. Sociology and sociocultural anthropology both have a theoretical foundation in the ongoing struggle between the need for a generalisation, rule-seeking science, and the need for a humanistic reflection on particular lives. Social-cultural anthropology explores human cultures over time and place to understand the shared characteristics. Major branches of anthropology The study of what makes people human is known as anthropology. Holism refers to anthropologists' comprehensive approach to comprehending the many distinct elements of the human experience. Anthropology is divided into four branches ... Read More

Introduction Shamanism is regarded as the world’s oldest religious practice originated among hunter-gatherer societies and persisted in some herding and farming societies. The word shamanism is derived from Manchu Tungus word šaman (Tungus religious practitioner) in which ša means to know, thus in literal meaning shaman is one who knows. Shamans form a personalistic relation with the spirit through ACS (altered state of consciousness) known as soul journey through which he derives power to heal the sick, communicate with spirits to benefit their community, influence spirits, and escort the dead to their final destination. Figure 1: Woman shaman ... Read More

Introduction The Kabwe cranium, also known as the Broken Hill cranium, is a fossilised human (genus Homo) head that was discovered in 1921 not far from Kabwe, Zambia (then Broken Hill, Northern Rhodesia). It was the first premodern Homo fossil found in Africa. Along with a jaw fragment, a sacrum, and pieces of the pelvis and limb bones, a nearly complete skull was also discovered. The fossils were originally given the scientific designation H. rhodesiensis and are often referred to as Rhodesian man. Composition The great flat maxillaries, which lack canine fossa, are particularly comparable to the great flat ... Read More

Introduction The notion of reflexivity in the works of anthropologists and ethnographers was developed during the 1960s and 1970s and grew in the 1980s-1990s as an ethnographic writing form with distinct characteristics. In the context of anthropological research and writing, reflexivity is an important aspect as it emphasises on self-reference. An anthropological study can never be scientific only, it also takes into account the reflection of mind or as oneself. All of a researcher’s work is dependent upon their careful note taking and their success is determined by their way of writing with an intent to impress and influence What ... Read More

Introduction Around 250, 000 years ago, the Neanderthal species first appeared. Neanderthals are thought to have been closely related to modern humans. In 1829 the first Neanderthal fossil was discovered, but it was recognised as a potential human ancestor later in the 19th century. They are not our ancestors directly. Fossil and genetic data show that they are distinct species that developed as a side branch in our family tree. Research has shown a more complex image, which contrasts with the negative portrayal of these people as stupid and nasty cavemen. Despite great hardship, Neanderthals survived for hundreds of thousands ... Read More

Introduction Although marriage is a phenomenon that occurs in all communities, the pattern of marriage varies from society to society. Different sorts of marriages are common in different countries, and each culture has its idea of what marriage is and means. Despite not being the same across all societies, marriage laws serve essentially the same purposes. Marriage has attracted attention as a result of the times we live in, and the institution itself is undergoing numerous changes. What was the original concept of marriage? The history of marriage predates written history by a very long time, but the oldest ... Read More

Introduction Society is run by rules and regulations. In the same way, they have few regulations for marriage which it binds individuals to marry or not. While choosing a mate people to have to follow certain suitability rules because it is considered that marriage controls and regulates sexual behaviour. The person might be prohibited from acquiring the mate based on these regulations to prevent inbreeding disadvantages (physical defects, abnormalities may develop in close relatives), and social role conflicts and it can be advantageous for a social alliance between different clans or families if marriage within the family is prohibited. ... Read More

Introduction Marriage payments, also known as bride wealth or dowry, are payments made by one party (usually the groom or his family) to the other party (usually the bride or her family) as a condition of marriage. These payments can take various forms, such as cash, property, or goods, and serve different purposes depending on the cultural context. "Bridewealth" is the payment made by the groom or his family to the bride or her family in exchange for the bride's hand in marriage. Dowry is the payment made by the bride or her family to the groom or his ... Read More

Introduction Anthropology is the scientific study of people that is based on both the historical and modern human species. The branch of Anthropology that deals with human languages in terms of the societies that formed them is known as linguistic anthropology. It investigates the role that language plays in the formation and maintenance of cultural identities, relationships, and beliefs. To understand how language influences the mind, linguistic anthropologists examine grammatical structures and communication activities. One of the four main subfields of anthropology is linguistic anthropology. How does Linguistic Anthropology work? Linguistic anthropologists frequently take part in and observe communication ... Read More