Kalari training hall.

Anthropology: A General Outline of Kalaripayattu, the Indigenous Martial Art of Kerala

Martial arts come in many forms in India. Techniques from these forms are also utilized by stage actors and dance-theatre troupes. The same is true of kalaripayattu, an art of war practiced in Tamilnadu and Kerala. Kalari denotes a “training centre,” … Continue reading Anthropology: A General Outline of Kalaripayattu, the Indigenous Martial Art of Kerala

Kabuki performance

Anthropology: The Significance of Kabuki in Japanese Theater and Culture

Author’s Note: As a rule of thumb, names of historical figures and noteworthy individuals appear in the Japanese name order, surname first (e.g., “Monzaemon Chikamatsu” would be rendered in Japanese as “Chikamatsu Monzaemon”). Japanese classical theater has three main traditions: … Continue reading Anthropology: The Significance of Kabuki in Japanese Theater and Culture

Indian caste system.

Anthropology: Caste Versus Class in the Social Hierarchies of Ancient India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal

Today, the concepts of oppression and social inequality are typically regarded as scourges. Some may picture recent extremist groups such as the Taliban or even the Ku Klux Klan in tandem with the idea of social stratification, but the truth … Continue reading Anthropology: Caste Versus Class in the Social Hierarchies of Ancient India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal

Angelina Aspuac, Maya Kaqchikel activist and weaver.

Anthropology: Maya Textiles as a Symbol of Cultural Identity in Highland Chiapas, San Pedro Chenalhó, and Guatemala 

In Guatemala and the Chiapas Highlands region – specifically San Pedro Chenalhó – of Mexico, ancient Maya culture has profoundly impacted anthropology, language, and dress. Historically, this ethnic group has been stigmatized and disenfranchised by mainstream Euro-Mestizo culture because of … Continue reading Anthropology: Maya Textiles as a Symbol of Cultural Identity in Highland Chiapas, San Pedro Chenalhó, and Guatemala 

Confederate monument, Lexington, N.C.

Selective Memory and Historical Revisionism: A Case Study of Confederate Monuments in North Carolina

The dismantling and removal of Confederate memorials and monuments has been an ongoing process in the U.S. since the advent of the 20th century. The vast majority of Confederate monuments were erected during the late 19th century and the early-mid … Continue reading Selective Memory and Historical Revisionism: A Case Study of Confederate Monuments in North Carolina

Painting of Sequoyah (circa 1770–1843), inventor of the Cherokee syllabary.

Unpacking Linguistic Imperialism and Protecting Indigenous Languages

Linguistic imperialism refers to prejudicial or oppressive treatment based on how an individual uses language (such as accents, phrasing, code-switching, loan words, and colloquialisms). Examples of this can be seen in specific work settings, education systems, and marketing. Members of … Continue reading Unpacking Linguistic Imperialism and Protecting Indigenous Languages

Zaide Silvia Gutiérrez as Rosa Xuncax in "El Norte"

Current Events: Why the Celebrated Immigration Saga “El Norte” Is Still Relevant After 37 Years

On its surface, the United States has long been viewed as a secure country of prosperity and opportunity. The land of the free, the home of the brave, a place of diversity and inclusion. At least, that’s how the story … Continue reading Current Events: Why the Celebrated Immigration Saga “El Norte” Is Still Relevant After 37 Years