Introduction to Anthropology

Words or phrases borrowed from one experience to describe something else, creating a vivid and evocative image.

A set of actions performed by a group to express shared meanings and values, giving them a sense of importance and belonging.

A story that explains the deeper meanings people attach to their experiences, often involving supernatural beings or events.

The belief that animals, plants, and other non-human things possess spirits or consciousness.

A system of beliefs where spiritual leaders (shamans) enter a trance to communicate with spiritual forces, seeking guidance and wisdom.

The confusion and discomfort people feel when adjusting to a new culture, including its language, beliefs, food, and environment. This often happens in the early stages of fieldwork.

A research method where anthropologists conduct fieldwork in multiple locations, connecting localized experiences with broader global processes.

A method of research where data is gathered and analyzed to identify patterns, and interpretations emerge from the data itself.

An approach that assumes all members of a group share the same behaviors or cultural traits, often leading to stereotypes.

The change in meaning that people ascribe to experiences, and the changes in their way of life.

The systematic destruction of a people's way of life. This can include their language, traditions, and cultural practices.

The destruction of a group of people. This can include physical extermination, forced displacement, or cultural assimilation.

The way a group of people sees and understands the world, based on shared beliefs and cultural ideas about how things work.

A social system of symbols used to encode our experiences of the world and others.

A group of communicating people who share norms of language through interaction and living together.

The goods and valuables a bride's family provides to the groom's family or the couple during marriage.

A marriage system traced through the female line, requiring individuals to marry outside their own dala (lineage group).

A rule that restricts sexual relations between certain relatives, like siblings, parents and children, and sometimes cousins.

Children of siblings of the same sex. (Example: The children of two brothers.)

The ability of language to communicate about things not present in the here and now.

The ability of language to create new and unique messages, beyond just repeating existing ones.

A state of being in transition between two defined social statuses. This is a phase of uncertainty and change where individuals are neither fully part of their old identity nor fully integrated into the new.

The process of re-entering a group, either by returning from liminality with a new identity or role, or by being integrated into a group for the first time.

The exchange of gifts between individuals, which creates a feeling of obligation to reciprocate. It fosters social bonds and strengthens relationships.

A system where individuals are ranked based on various criteria, like wealth, power, social status, or ethnicity. This can create inequalities and social disparities.

A society where everyone, regardless of their social status or background, has equal access to resources, power, and respect.

A social identity primarily based on an individual's economic status. This is often linked to factors like income, wealth, occupation, and access to resources.

A person who is biologically male but engages in traditionally feminine activities and identities, challenging gender norms.

The practice of promoting lighter skin tones as more desirable, often through cosmetic procedures or products. It can be linked to social class, where a whiter appearance may be associated with higher status.

In multicultural societies, individuals may feel pressure to conform to dominant cultural norms by concealing their cultural identity, especially in professional settings, while expressing it during festivals.

Ways in which systems and structures within a society perpetuate harm, disadvantage, or inequities towards specific groups. It's about how systems are built, not just individuals' actions.

A concept highlighting interconnectedness and interdependence across the globe. Events in one place can significantly impact others, no matter how distant.

A country with defined borders and a centralized government responsible for governing its citizens.

A group of people who share a common language, cultural worldview, and ancestral heritage.

An economic ideology emphasizing minimal government intervention in the market, promoting free markets, private property, and individual business growth.

A state defines violence by establishing laws with strict rules.

The idea that international relationships are based on a lack of central authority, where nations act in their own self-interest.

The belief that nuclear weapons are the ultimate defense against potential threats, making the use of these weapons unlikely.

The belief that the international community is governed by rules and agreements, limiting the need for constant self-defense like nuclear weapons.

The practice of using anthropological research to understand other cultures, often for military purposes.

The idea that anthropologists have a responsibility to consider the potential consequences of their research, especially when working with military organizations.

A statement emphasizing the importance of understanding diverse perspectives and recognizing the limitations of our own.

The process of studying and describing a specific culture through participant observation and fieldwork.