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
Introduction Throughout recorded history, women have been slated as occupying a lower status than their male counterparts. When discussing gender roles in recent popular culture, stereotypes may come to mind in which women were regarded as delicate flowers whose main … Continue reading Anthropology: A Brief Study of Women’s Roles in Ancient Times
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
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
Long before the advent of feminism and women’s rights, the women of classical antiquity did not have such an easy lot in life. The term “Classical Greece” and the concept of popular culture may invoke famous names such as Hippocrates … Continue reading Ancient History: Investigating the Women of Athens and Sparta
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
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
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
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