Clifford Geertz, the most emblematic figure of interpretive anthropology, has a great impact on social and cultural theory. His analysis and interpretation of Balinese Cockfight and their relevance in social science is going to be discussed in this paper. After that, the event of Balinese Cockfight be again analyzed in respect of Levi-Strauss’s Structuralism and Victor Turner’s symbolic analysis. A range of disciplines from anthropology to sociology to cultural studies and history are theoretically and methodically influenced by his very own “cultural system”. The works of Ludwig Wittgenstein and Max Weber influenced the thoughts and ideas of Geertz. He used “Weberian Framework” in both Agricultural Involution (1963a) and Peddlers and Princes …show more content…
However, this vision is clearly exemplified in the papers of “thick description”, and “Balinese Cockfight”. He got recognition for most of his influential articles, and one of them is “Deep Play: Note on the Balinese Cockfight” (1972). Although illegal, cockfighting is very much popular and widespread in Bali, as they identify themselves with their cocks. Geertz stated that gambling in terms of financial matters is not the center point of this ritual, but rather than the prestige and status, for which people ensemble themselves with this ritual. He distinguished the terms “deep fights” and “shallow fights” not in the terms of money only but also as a gambling for prestige (Clifford Geertz 's "Thick Description", …show more content…
The argument of Geertz is that it is not the fight between individuals, but between the social groups as the Balinese people never bet against a cock from their own reference group. So, it is the most overt manifestation of addressing social rivalries. After the end of cockfight social tensions relieve and the statutes are maintained in the long run after the momentarily lost or gain. According to Geertz “deep play” of the Balinese cockfight is the symbolic aspect and essential insight of our very own social existence (Geertz, 1972).
The fights represent the culture and social structure of Balinese people as well as an important aspect in its formation. However, Geertz developed the idea of reading cultural practices and rituals as “texts”. So, the topic is getting the prime interest of anthropologist as the society speaks about itself to none other than itself. This is the interpretative approach of Geertz in the anthropological arena to describe the Balinese cockfight not only as a cultural phenomenon, but as a set of cultural texts (Clifford Geertz 's "Thick Description",
In the rough and tropical island of Papua New Guinea, lived an exceptional aggregation of individuals called, The Gebusi. In the 1980's, The Gebusi tribe was anything besides up to date and acculturated. The Gebusi had their own particular singular and special customs and conventions that they rehearsed and accompanied. The Gebusi tribe took part in custom homosexuality, divination or witchcraft was exceedingly respected and polished, and they partook in particular sister-trade relational unions. By 1998-99, The Gebusi tribe had made another lifestyle. The Gebusi had gotten accustomed with new social convictions, modernization due to “western ways” that had changed their lives until the end of time especially changing their ways and view on gender roles and sexuality.
These ways are cultural relativism, ethnocentrism, and critical cultural relativism. The purpose of the examining the human sacrifice the way of critical cultural relativism is the best and superior way to look at foreign cultural customs and practices. That is why it is the selected term for the purposes of this paper. The first term that is used to judge cultural practices is Ethnocentric thinking. So to look at human sacrifice using the ethnocentric perspective would to
Being a culture under pressure from both sides of the contact zone, there needs to be passion and emotion or else the culture might disappear into history. Anzaldua’s text makes great use of passion and emotion while merging the ideas of multiple cultures together through the tough experiences in her life. Autoethnographic texts give perspective to outsiders on how a culture functions from the inside point of view. Anzaldua’s “How to Tame a Wild Tongue” excellently portrays her culture’s plight and creates a fiery passionate entrance for her culture in their uprising through the contact zone.
“The Sambia: Ritual, Sexuality, and Change in Papua New Guinea” is a book written by Gilbert Herdt. It is based on a case study Herdt did during the 1970’s of the culture of the Sambia people. His study took place in Eastern Highlands Province of Papua New Guinea. He didn’t know much about their language, however through out his time there he was able to learn their language and customs. As he settled into their village, he mostly slept in the clubhouse with the other Nilangu villagers; however, eventually they built a house for him to stay at. Herdt had a great interest in gaining new knowledge about the Sambia culture.
Think of the term ‘globalization’. Your first thought may be of people from all corners of the Earth exchanging ideas, views, products, and so much more. Appiah introduces his article by describing a scene of a traditional Wednesday festival in the town of Kumasi. He allows the reader to visualize the traditions held by those in attendance, but begins his case by providing details of men on their cellphones and holding conversations on contemporary topics such as H.I.V/AIDS. When Appiah speaks of “contamination,” he highlights the way one culture is influenced by another accepting an exchange of ideas. In his article he asks, “why do people in these places sometimes feel that their identities are threatened?” (Appiah). This question raises a topic that is central to the unification of peoples’ ideals and cultures...
The book displays two social concepts, conflict theory and structural-functionalism. Conflict theory is defined as “a theory propounded by Karl Marx that claims society is in a state of perpetual conflict due to competition
It is a commonplace phenomenon that someone dies in the procedure of the match. And the traps of temptation are ubiquitous, oftentimes making the rivals irrational like hurting their companions and robbing others brutally. Chances are that violence emerges
It is a commonplace phenomenon that someone dies in the procedure of the match. And the traps of temptation are ubiquitous, oftentimes making the rivals irrational like hurting their companions and robbing others brutally. Chances are that violence emerges
The conflict of good and evil presents itself in “The Most Dangerous Game” and “The Child by Tiger” in two completely different ways. One story being commercial fiction and the other being literary fiction, there are many ways of viewing variables such as good versus evil, realistic versus unrealistic stories and moral significance. The stories have different voices and are meant for different audiences, but in viewing the overall moral importance of both fictional works, the story with a greater moral significance is “The Child by Tiger”.
The battle of Antietam is known as the bloodiest single day in American history during
Readers in the twenty-first century can learn from classic and outdated works that human behavior is the same regardless of the time period. Humans can and may resort to violence if the social and environmental conditions are right. History and current events show the thoughts of Golding are still valid today. Over the years symbolism, has played a role in the years prior and today in the book. In this paper, I will analyze the use of two important symbols in the book; the conch shell and the pigs head. Each object brings meaning to each group, ...
Gordon accurately depicts the varied and vibrant Asian culture, by showing the reader this world instead of simply describing it. Each of the men whom Gordon uses to tell the story undertakes expeditions which are mixed with hardships and triumphs. The varied spectrum of Asian cultures is covered. Readers will find Gordon’s take on tackling this topic fresh and straightforward.
For a long time, the popular belief about anthropology was that it was the study of “far away” or “exotic” cultures. After my 10 weeks in Professor Michael Perez’s Anthropology 101 class, I now know this to be anything but the truth. My immediate thought’s for a cultural event to observe were reflective of these misconceptions – I considered an Indian wedding, a winter festival, a family friend’s Quinceanera. Nothing stood out to me.
In his essay, “What is Culture?”, Kluckhohn explains the differences and similarities amongst world’s peoples. To support his explanation of the differences and similarities he provides the concept of culture. It is difficult to give this concept a precise definition because the word “culture” is a broad term. Kluckhohn allows the reader to understand the concept of culture by providing examples of cultural differences along with some anthropological evidence to support his views.
Culture may be defined as the sum totaltotal of non-biological activities of a people. For anthropologists like Marvin Harris (1974). Culture is directly related to concrete material conditions of existence. It is a set of altitudinal and behavioral tools as well as a map of adapting to one’s environment. Culture is thus essentially adaptive. Following the concept of cultural relativism espoused by Margaret Mead (1968) it is the view of this article that culture must be seen asbe specific and valid in particular circumstances with value judgement as to its relative significance to other groups, even within the same nation-state or society. The point that is therefore being made is that there are some particularities of culture that characterize