anthropology in the news | antropologi.info

Challenges of Providing Anthropological Expertise: On the conflict in Sudan

Published on October 26, 2004 by lorenz Posted in Africa, anthropology (general), anthropology in the news, applied anthropology, politics

Carolyn Fluehr-Lobban, Anthropology News, AAA

What is an anthropologist-expert to do in this highly charged international political situation where an anthropologist’s understanding of realities conflicts with the major media and political analysis of events?

A Darfur Task Force was initiated by UCLA anthropologist Sondra Hale at this year’s Sudan Studies Association annual meeting. This task force has drafted resolutions calling for consideration of the complexities and advocating an African solution lead by the African Union. >> continue

Carolyn Fluehr-Lobban, Anthropology News, AAA

A Darfur Task Force was initiated by UCLA…

Coming Back Around to Culture – an anthropologist’s thoughts about Technology

Published on October 25, 2004 by lorenz Posted in anthropology in the news, applied anthropology, corporate & business anthropology, culture traditions, design anthropology, technology

TechnoTaste

I have come back around finally to the reason I came to School of Information Management Systems in the first place: a belief that the tools and perspectives of anthropology are useful and needed.

In the face of all the new technologies and applications today it’s easy to forget that behavior drives technology. If culture drives behavior, at least to some degree, then it ought to be essential, not only to the way we understand the uses and contexts of technology, but to its design.

It’s not useful to take for granted that there is something fundamentally new about the informational, technical world in which we live. I have a sneaking suspicion that a great deal more is the same than is different. Culture is too important – too pervasive and immutable – to respond on a whim to the development of new technologies, even if they fundamentally change the way we live. >> continue

TechnoTaste

I have come back around finally to the reason I came to School of Information Management Systems in the first place: a belief that the tools and perspectives of anthropology are useful and needed.

In the face of all the new…

Thousands of Creoles throng Seychelles’ capital, showcasing a dying culture?

Published on October 25, 2004 by lorenz Posted in Africa, anthropology in the news, culture traditions, globalisation

Utusan Malaysia Online

Women dressed in bright yellow and green swirling skirts joined men in straw hats and colourful cummerbunds, while musicians playing instruments made from bamboo and goatskins led a procession through Victoria.

“The Creoles are a tiny population worldwide, making up only a few million people,” said Jean Claude Mahoune, an anthropologist and expert on Creole culture at Seychelles’ ministry of culture. “With globalisation and strong western influences, our culture and our language is endangered, if we don’t do something to keep everything that is Creole alive,” he said. >> continue

Utusan Malaysia Online

``The Creoles are a tiny population worldwide, making…

Unmarried Women in Arab Countries: Status No Longer Dependent upon the Husband

Published on October 25, 2004 by lorenz Posted in anthropology in the news, gender, Middle East

Arabnews

Depending on the societies they live in, when unmarried girls reach a certain age which differs from society to society, people begin to refer to them as “old maids” or “spinsters”. Especially in Arab countries, people still look upon a young unmarried girl as though she were to blame for her state. The girl soon becomes the butt of ridicule, accusations, and meddling by those around her and even those closest to her.

Dr. Bakr Bagader, an anthropology professor at King Abdul Aziz University in Jeddah, said: “People differ in the age at which a woman is considered an ‘old maid’. We often see today that the marriageable age is linked to the stages in education because of the responsibilities of making a living and supporting a family. Completing education is thus seen as important and delays marriage for girls. Women no longer feel that their worth or status is dependent upon their husband.” >> continue

Arabnews

Identity Issues in Mongolia – or The Meaning of Surnames

Published on October 23, 2004 by lorenz Posted in anthropology in the news, Asia, culture traditions, language

Los Angeles Times / Yahoo

ULAN BATOR, Mongolia — School principal Baast chose the name “Nomad” in keeping with his wandering spirit. Defense Minister Gurragchaa — the only Mongolian to venture into space — settled on “Cosmos.” And anthropology student Vanchigdash picked the Mongolian word for wisdom. “It makes me feel rather wise,” he said. “I’m very proud of my new name.”

Mongolians, long used to using only first names, are reshaping their identities under a government-led initiative to add surnames. First names worked reasonably well in an isolated, nomadic culture. But officials say surnames are now needed to avoid confusion in a more modern society, to help uncover long-buried roots as people delve into their clan histories and to prevent the inbreeding that occurs when you’re not sure to whom you’re related.

Choosing second names — including the mad dash to name themselves after Genghis — is also helping Mongolians reconnect with their history and rekindle national pride after decades of relative isolation. “A man who doesn’t know his ancestors is like a monk lost in the woods” is a popular proverb here. >> continue

Los Angeles Times / Yahoo

ULAN BATOR, Mongolia — School principal Baast chose the name "Nomad" in keeping with his wandering spirit. Defense Minister Gurragchaa — the only Mongolian to venture into space — settled on "Cosmos." And anthropology student Vanchigdash…