concept 6 7 8

Question 1

Why do anthropologists sometimes refer to religion as a worldview?

Answer 1

Instead of religion it will say worldview = for many people their entire view of reality is connected to their religion

Question 2

What is the Navajo word for religion?

Answer 2

no word for religion

Question 3

In terms of interaction between the Sacred and Profane what is the one similarity between Traditional and Contemporary Cultures?

Question 4

Explain the Sacred/Profane Dichotomy?

Answer 4

the world of profane is the reality of the everyday. the world of sacred is the reality beyond this world.

Question 5

In terms of interaction between the Sacred and Profane what is the main difference between Traditional and Contemporary Cultures?

Question 6

What is the Etic and Emic explanations for anthropomorphic representation of god(s) and our pets?

Answer 6

Etic: we have a great need for social networks and doing this makes us feel closer to god(s) and our pets
Emic: this is the way that god(s) looks and feels and how our pets think and feel

Question 7

What are myths?

Answer 7

A cultural transmission of core values

Question 8

Explain the importance of the Primeval Reality

Question 9

What do we mean when we say that myths fuse time?

Answer 9

Time and change become irrelevant what is important is to believe in the values expressed by MYTH

Question 10

What is the non-rational reason for the end of the world?

Answer 10

God will come back and end it all

Question 11

From an Etic point and Emic point of view is the explanation for apocalyptic visions?

Answer 11

Etic: in times of crisispeople feel helpless and want answers. Explanations and actions, give them comfort
Emic: the end is coming and only those who are prepared will survive

Question 12

What is the main purpose of a rite of passage?

Answer 12

To reproduce the culture (by passing on core values)

Question 13

what is the rite of passage for the amish people

Answer 13

• (separation) teenagers must leave community and live with the english
• (transition) engage in contemporary world (wear makeup, wear expensive clothes, engage in premarital sex).
• (reaggregation): Asked one question when they return “Do you want to be Amish?”. Asked if they are willing to give up the contemporary lifestyle and accept the Amish Way.
• Influence: the temptations of contemporary society
• Values: faith and devotion to god
• Transition: TEST = maintaining your faith in the face if the temptations of the world
• Penalty for failure: cannot be part of the Amish community

Question 14

Discuss the differences between Kikuyu and Masai funeral practices and how these practices reflect the values of that culture.

Answer 14

-the kikuyu bring their dead home & bury them on their own land
-the maasai bring dead into the Maasai Mara, they are not buried but exposed to weather & conditions ( place that stands out ; big trees, rocks)

Question 15

What is the connection between the living and the dead? How is this reflected in cultural practices?

Answer 15

Respecting ancestors: They honor and respect their ancestors, thinking they still have an impact on their lives.
Special ceremonies: They hold ceremonies like funerals or memorials to remember and honor the deceased.
Spiritual beliefs: Some believe in an afterlife or that spirits coexist with the living, so they have practices to stay connected with them.
Keeping memories alive: They build monuments or create places to remember those who’ve passed away, keeping their memory alive in their communities.

Question 16

Be able to explain the connection between the world of the living and world of the dead through the Tolai and the ceremonies of Samhain and The Day of the Dead

Answer 16

Tolai display of skulls
19th century display of photographs
Display of cremated remains
Display of tattoos

Question 17

What is one possible etic explanation for the increased interest in ghosts in contemporary American culture?

Answer 17

Etic: animistic beliefs are deeply ingrained in our cultural beliefs
Emic: ghosts and spirits do exist and can influence our lives

Question 18

What is the connection between the Dead Other and the treatment of victims of World Trade Center attack on September 11, 2001? What is the connection between “Bring Them Home” and “Never Forget”

Answer 18

WTC dead were treated with such care, and so much money was spent to make sure that people could get the closure they needed.
Debris were sifted through in landfills to find any identifiable remnants of people. Multiple memories conducted for people who died.
Other do not receive the same kind of treatment. An essential part of the funeral as a rite of passage is to allow the dead and the living to move on, and the Other often don’t get that privilege.

Question 19

What is one reason for the social construction of the Cannibal Other?

Answer 19

the other is so strange, so different from us that it is possible they are cannibals

Question 20

When we consider the reality of the Sacred why is the Issue of Cryogenics important?

Answer 20

• in the future when science has advance, we can figure out how to animate this people, find a cure or reverse aging, that we can bring people back so we don’t have to die
• immortality: if we never die, we don’t care about the sacred