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Anthropology is the scientific study of humanity, including human biology, culture, and society. This broad field encompasses several sub-disciplines, including cultural anthropology, linguistic anthropology, and archaeology. From exploring the diversity of human cultures to understanding the biological and evolutionary foundations of our species, anthropology provides a comprehensive understanding of what it means to be human.
An artifact is an object made, altered, or used by humans. Artifacts span a wide spectrum from stone tools to pottery fragments, from bone needles to ancient manuscripts. These objects, often excavated from archaeological sites, serve as windows to past societies.
The concept of tools, while seemingly elementary, bears extensive significance in archaeological anthropology. Tools, in the broadest sense, are objects or implements used to carry out a particular function or activity.
Understanding the diverse classifications of magic provides invaluable insights into the rich tapestry of human cultural practices. It offers a window into how societies attempt to explain, control, and engage with their world through symbolic rituals and practices.
Religion is as old as humanity itself. While its exact origins remain elusive, various theories provide valuable insights into why and how religion might have arisen. It's an intriguing blend of early humans' attempt to understand their environment, fulfill psychological needs, maintain social cohesion, and potentially even survive.
The culture of poverty theory, first postulated by Oscar Lewis in the 1960s, proposes that poverty is not solely an economic issue, but also a cultural one. According to this theory, the poor are not simply victims of economic circumstances but also maintain a set of values, beliefs, and behaviors that perpetuate their impoverished condition.
Sorcery, sometimes interchangeable with witchcraft in anthropological texts, is defined as the manipulation of symbolic materials (like spells, rituals, or objects) to influence people, events, or the natural world, often negatively.
The dichotomy of Universalisation and Parochialisation represents the cultural dynamic of an increasingly interconnected world. Understanding these processes provides valuable insights into how societies and cultures negotiate their identities in the face of globalisation.
Witchcraft, the practice of magical skills, spells, and abilities, has been a fascinating aspect of human cultures worldwide. Often associated with spirituality, superstition, and folklore, the understanding and interpretation of witchcraft vary considerably across different societies.
Applied folklore, a subset of cultural anthropology, addresses the role and function of traditional knowledge in contemporary societies. By integrating the practical application of folklore, this discipline promotes cultural sustainability, fosters local identity, and encourages social development.
Folk arts, also known as traditional arts, encompass a broad array of artifacts and practices that include visual arts, music, dance, storytelling, and craftsmanship. These forms often represent the collective memory and creativity of a community.
The complex fabric of human societies and cultures can be better understood through the dual concepts of "Great Tradition" and "Little Tradition", first introduced by Robert Redfield in his studies of Indian society in the mid-20th century.
Folk science refers to the body of knowledge that is based on everyday experiences and common sense rather than on the scientific method. It encompasses a diverse array of beliefs, understandings, and explanations for natural phenomena, which are often culturally and socially determined.
