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- aborealliving in trees, or adapted for living in trees More
- aboriginesaborigines - the original or earliest known inhabitants of a country or region, but the name is mainly associated with the indigenous people of Australia; often called Australian Aborigines - aborigine can also be used in expressing the original native fauna or flora of a region More
- acculturationacculturation is different from enculturation - and it may be forced as in a conquest of peoples, or it may be voluntary as a person voluntarily becoming acculturated while visiting or moving to another country More
- achieved statusa social position that a person earns or chooses based on abilities, efforts, and life choices More
- adaptationculture is the primary way that humans adapt to their environmental surroundings More
- adornmentsdecorations or ornaments, including body art such as tattoos, body painting, and piercing More
- affidavita written or oral statement made under oath More
- affinal kinaffinal kin, or affines, are relatives by marriage, in-laws; if the marriage ends, no longer affines, the relationship ends More
- agencythe active force, action, or power of the human mind to make decisions More
- agriculturecultivation of soil to grow food plants using technologies such as plowing, irrigation, terracing, fertilizers and harnessing power of domesticated animals
- Alhambra DecreeAlhambra Decree, also known as the Edict of Expulsion, was an edict issued on 31 March 1492, by the joint Catholic Monarchs of Spain, Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon. The edict ordered the expulsion of practicing Jews from Spain (unless they converted to Catholicism) and its territories and possessions by 31 July of that same year. More
- aliena citizen of another country More
- alliancesa close association or agreement for a common objective such as marriage, family, kinship, or defense More
- Amerindiana member of one of the Indigenous peoples of the Americas, the term is chiefly used in anthropological and linguistic contexts More
- amphoraeA tall ancient Greek or Roman pottery jar with two handles and a narrow neck. More
- ancestora person from whom you descend; grandparents, great-grandparents, great-great-great grandparents, etc., direct-line ancestor, forefather or forebear More
- ancestralof, belonging to, inherited from, or denoting an ancestor or ancestors
- Anglo-American Global Villagethe Anglo-American culture region is all of North America plus Alaska and Iceland and the included islands in the region, such as the Baffin Island of Canada - and excludes Mesoamerica below the Mexican-American border
- animisticBeliefs that attribute a soul to plants, inanimate objects, and natural phenomena. Natural objects and the universe are thought to possess conscious life, souls, and spirits, and all creatures possess a distinct spiritual essence. More
- antediluvianantediluvian means very old, or primitive
- anthropoida highly developed primate resembling a human: chimpanzee, gorilla, orangutan More
- anthropologythe holistic study of humanity in its broadest context in all times and places, ancient and contemporary
- anthropometrythe scientific study of the measurements and proportions of the human body, whether children or adults
- anthropomorphicArt that ascribes human characteristics to non-human things, stories involving anthropomorphic animals or deities. More
- archaeologyOne of the four fields of anthropology that studies human history and pre-history through excavations of sites, analysis of artifacts, and other physical remains More
- Arianisma doctrine that rejects the traditional notion of the Trinity (3 in 1) and considers Jesus to be a creation of God and, therefore, distinct from God More
- artthe expressive or application of human creative skill and imagination in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, or in music, literature, or dance; art is created primarily for beauty and emotional power; and "holds art is anything the viewer or listener finds aesthetically pleasing."
- artifactan article made by a human being, typically an item of cultural or historical interest; an object or relic from the past often discovered by an archaeologist investigating an ancient cultural hearth
- ascribed statusa social position a person is born into (think King Charles of England today) More
- Austral-European Global Villagethe Austral-European culture region includes Australia and New Zealand, which both have dominant European cultures and language
- autobiographya life story written by one's self, or life history, or memoirs of one's life - or a self-written life story with added cultural information (at this website)
- Axial Agesometimes called the Axial Period; a term proposed by German philosppher, Karl Jaspers, referring to the period from about 800-200 BC, which he believed various cultures began to think in similar new ways in Persia, India, China, and the Western World; during this period religions became instrumental in effecting great changes in both history and civilization
b
- bandthe smallest and least complex political organization, usually found among hunter-gatherer populations; a band is egalitarian, kin-related, has little bureaucracy, and numbers from a dozen to a few dozen people
- barbariana generic term applied to peoples or populations deemed to be savage, uncultured, uneducated, barbarous, or boorish - during the time of the Roman Empire, barbarians were described as anyone not "Roman"
- bardA poet, who traditionally recited epics; they could recite oral genealogies of important people, such as kings or rulers in communities; they were sometimes tribal poet-singers; the first bards were of Celtic origin. More
- BCEBCE stands for Before the Common Era. It is a dating system used in academic contexts to denote years before the current era (CE), which is based on the Gregorian calendar. It is a non-religious alternative to BC (Before Christ), but it means the same, referring to the same time period. More
- Berber peoples (Berbers)a "barbarian" population, which migrated from Northern Europe to Northern Africa, (perhaps from Germany?) - their origins are not exactly known, but archaeology confirms their settlements in the area by 2,000 BC
- Big Mana male person in the tribe who is designated as someone who may solve problems and negotiate conflicts; this person has more influence than power and has no control over people's lives; the "Big Man" can also be overpowered and ousted for a number of reasons; therefore his influence may contribute to tribal instability and he may be rejected, or even ejected from the group altogether
- bio-culturalwhere there is an interaction and interconnection of both biology and culture
- bioculturalthe interconnectedness and mutual influence between human biology and culture, how culture shapes biological capacities, and how biology influences culture More
- biological determinismhuman traits that are biologically inherited More
- biological determinism
- biomedical solutionssolutions involving, and relating to, both biology and contemporary medicines
- birth recorda record containing information about someone's birth, like the mother's and father's names; a birth certificate More
- BMI (body mass index)an index used to indicate whether a person is over- or underweight. It is obtained by dividing a person's weight in kilograms by the square of their height in meters. An index of 20-25 is normal (medical definition)
- body-mass-index (BMI)a calculation used to estimate a person's body fat percentage based on their height and weight More
- Book of KellsThe book is a medieval illustrated masterpiece of Celtic art, containing the four Gospels of the New Testament, created by Celtic Monks around 800 AD. It has detailed illustrations of people, animals, and Celtic knotwork. It is housed in the library of Trinity College Dublin. More
- Boudica,A fierce Celtic warrior queen of the Iceni tribe, inhabiting what is now East Anglia, England. She was married to the king, Prasutagus, and she led a major revolt against the Roman Empire in about 60 AD. More
- brood parasiteAn animal (a bird) that lays its eggs in another species' nest, making the host raise its young instead of doing so itself. It saves the parasite time, energy, and resources of nest-building, incubation, and feeding its young. Besides birds, some fish and insects do the same thing. More
- BrythonicThe Brythonic languages collectively, denoting, relating to, or belonging to the southern group of Celtic languages, consisting of Welsh, Cornish, and Breton. More
- burqaa loose, usually black or light blue robe that covers the body from head to foot, worn by Muslim women, with only the eyes visible
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- cairnsman-made mounds of stones built up as a memorial or landmark, typically on a hilltop or skyline; also possible markers for wayfinding or to locate caches of food; or designating a pathway for trading or hunting
- Camouflagecamouflage - any combination of color, materials, or illumination for the purpose of concealment, whether through an elite disguise, or anything else that makes the warrior hard to see.
- Canon lawThe body of ecclesiastical law that governs a Christian church, most notably the Roman Catholic Church. It covers aspects of church life, including powers and duties of officials, morality, discipline, and other legal procedures within the Church's jurisdiction. More
- canopycanopy refers to the upper layer habitat zone, formed by mature tree crowns, which may include biological organisms living there More
- capnomancyThe ancient art of divination by observing and interpreting patterns and characteristics of smoke to gain insights into the future. More
- caribouany of several large, North American deer, related to the reindeer of the Old World
- carnivorean animal that eats flesh; a flesh-eating mammal of the order, Carnivora, comprising the dogs, cats, bears, seals, and weasels; an organism that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of animal tissue, whether through predation or scavenging; may even include an insectivorous plant
- carrying capacitythe number of people and/or organisms that can survive on the available resources within an ecosystem; may sometimes be called a niche
- cash cropscrops that are grown for profit rather than personal consumption More
- castea hereditary class in Hindu society, distinguished by relative degrees of ritual purity or pollution and of social status; an ascribed status that cannot be changed More
- CatharismA dualist Christian movement of the 12th and 13th centuries in southern France, rooted in the idea that the physical world is evil and the spiritual world is good. Also known as the rejectionists of the Catholic Church. More
- Celtsa diverse group of tribal societies occupying most of early Iron-age Europe (1200 BC-700 AD), eventually expanding into a wide range of territories, i. e, from Ireland, to Spain, to Central Anatolia (Turkey)
- census recordan official population record in a particular area that collects names, ages, citizenship, and/or ethnic background, and others in the same household More
- central obesityexcessive abdominal fat, also known as visceral fat because it is readily released into the bloodstream
- chemicalizationfor this course chemicalization is defined as adding chemical substances to food and/or agricultural practices
- chiefdomA chiefdom is a form of political organization intermediate between a tribe and a state, and is based on kinship. There may be 100's of people and several villages; and a chiefdom is associated with agriculture and domestication of animals
- chieftainA chieftain is a leader, but chieftain implies a more specific, perhaps hereditary leadership, within a tribe. There is a sense of an established or historically significant position. The role of chieftain often suggests a martial or warrior-like leadership style. More
- chieftainshipnot the same as a chief over a chiefdom; a chieftainship is simply a lesser chief over a separate village; there may be many chieftainships with a chiefdom, if there are many villages;Â for example if a chiefdom had five villages within the organization, there may possibly be five chieftains - one over each village, but the chieftain is below the status of a chief
- citadela fortress, usually on high ground, protecting or dominating a city, such as the Tower of London, or the Acropolis in Athens More
- civilizationa highly developed and advanced human society, associated with population density, writing and record-keeping, education, art, science, and complex political and social institutions
- clansA network of close-knit and interrelated families associated with families in the Scottish Highlands, and/or the Celts, but also common among foraging and Indigenous cultures, usually derived from a common ancestor's legacy or heritage. More
- Clifford GeertzClifford Geertz (1926-2006): An American cultural anthropologist, and scholar. He considered himself a sociologist, and philosopher as well. He known for his "thick description" concept of culture; and his ethnographic research in Indonesia and Morocco. He was a proponent of interpreting symbols, which give meaning and order to people's lives.
- collectivisticculturally, it is a view of ones self as part of a larger group or network such as family, friends, or co-workers
- colonialismthe policy of acquiring political control over another country, occupying it with settlers, exploiting it economically More
- communication studiesa multi-disciplinary field of study of how people communicate with each other, including the creation, delivery, and reception of messages in a variety of settings, also how meaning is created, such as interpersonal, private, public, and mass More
- comorbid or comorbiditythe simultaneous presence of two chronic diseases or conditions in a patient (one or more additional conditions co-occurring with a primary condition)
- consanguineal kinthose persons in a family that are related by blood; blood relatives
- Contemporary ArtContemporary art is art created by living artists today. It is innovative, thought-provoking and reflects issues of our time. Artworks are done in a variety of mediums: painting, sculpture, video, performing arts, etc. Contemporary art often questions traditional definitions, explores identity politics, and culture. More
- conversosSpanish and Portuguese Jews who converted to Christianity, between the 14th and 15th centuries, often under duress from the Spanish Inquisition. They were also known as "New Christians" and/or "Marranos." (derogatory pig people). They were caught between their Jewish culture and their new Christian faith, which led to a complex and difficult new identity. More
- coprophagesanimals that feed on excrement ( feces or fecal matter); dung beetles, earthworms, and flies are examples of coprophages
- Coptic Egyptian languagea Northern Afro-Asiatic language spoken in Egypt from the second to thirteenth centuries (200-1200 AD)
- core beliefsthe fundamental ideas that people have about themselves, others, and the world; beliefs are often rigid and inflexible, impacting how people think, feel, and act More
- cousinchild of your aunt or uncle; in earlier times, maybe just a close relative or friend More
- cross-culturalof or relating to different cultures or comparisons between them
- Crypto-JewsA person who secretly practices Judaism while outwardly conforming to another religion; status often forced by persecution; commonly used term to describe Jews after the Alhambra Decree of 1492 during the Spanish Inquisition, with expulsion from Spain and Portugal. More
- culinary heritageRefers to the food traditions, practices, and knowledge passed down through generations within a specific cultural community, including recipes, cooking techniques, and dining customs, which also defines cultural identities. More
- cultural assimilationa process by which members of an ethnic minority or group lose cultural characteristics that distinguish them from the dominant cultural group; or taking on the cultural characteristics of another group
- cultural capitala term put forth by French sociologist, Pierre Bourdieu in the 20th century, which refers to non-financial capital; he believes social assets such as education, dress, physical appearance, and intellect are part of a person's cultural capital that he/she may use for gain in a non-economic realm - for instance if a person is bi-lingual, that is cultural capital, if he/she has a higher education, that is cultural capital, in other words, "accumulated cultural knowledge" in all its contexts, is considered cultural capital
- cultural constructionismhuman traits that are culturally constructed rather than biologically inherited, such as personality More
- cultural exchangeThe sharing of ideas, beliefs, customs, and practices between different cultures, leading to mutual understanding and enrichment, without sacrificing each others cultural characteristics More
- cultural footprintthe impact of an individual or group on a culture, similar to the ecological footprint, which measures the impact of human activities on the environment More
- cultural genealogyCultural genealogy may trace family lineages and other entities (such as artifacts or paintings) through personal histories, oral traditions, environments and/or ancestral  or other culturally shared values and traditions, which are passed down through generations.  Material culture is often traced through genealogical methods.
- cultural identitya person's sense of connection to a group or culture, shaped by shared beliefs, values, traditions, and customs, impacting how people see themselves and interact with others More
- cultural memorya form of collective memory, meaning it's not just individual recollections, but a shared experience and understanding of the past within a group More
- cultural networka persons cultural network includes their relationships in a home setting, as well as their social, religious, educational, economical, and/or political (ideological) associated systems
- cultural relativismcultural relativism is the opposite of ethnocentrism; it refers to judging other cultures by their own standards, within their own context, and not by our own values, ideologies, or worldview
- cultural spherea geographic area where people share similar cultural traits: language, religion, traditions - also called a cultural region More
- cultural universalscultural features that are found in every culture; for instance: various methods of acquiring food, finding shelter, making clothing, birthing practices, etc.
- cultural-heartha place where related changes in land-use shows periods of human occupation in which domestication of animals and plants appear; cultural hearths may contain such items as tools, cultural objects like the wheel, stone tablets, religious totems, or remains of shelters or even seeds that may have been cultivated More
- culturally relativisticunderstanding and interpreting other cultures on their terms, rather than judging them by one's own standards of culture More
- cultureculture is not genetically inherited, it is shared, learned, and dynamic- never static
- culture
- culture corenecessary cultural features that a society employs in making a living; i. e. how they produce their food, the ways in which food is produced, and the knowledge and skills to carry out the work involved in those various subsistence practices
- culture of discontentWhen the level of aspirations exceeds the bounds of an individual's (or populations') local opportunities. Discontent also includes the gap between expectations and the ability to meet those expectations.
- culture regiona culture region, or culture area (or Global Village)Â is an area where common cultural components, traits, or characteristics have developed over time, and are shared among various societies, due to a variety of causal factors such as immigration, war, colonialism, forced acculturation, technology and travel advances, etc.
- culture warriorAccording to the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary, a culture warrior is, "a person who strongly defends a particular culture or cultural group"
- culture-boundthinking that you are limited by your own cultural patterns, not able to recognize or assimilate into another culture's way of thinking - an example would be if you were visiting a culture where they raise dogs for human consumption and you could not "wrap your head around" that kind of thinking, that it was normal to raise dogs for food, you would be culture-bound
- curvilinearAn adjective meaning consisting of or bounded by a curved line in art More
- cymatics(from the Greek "wave") is the study of visible sound co-vibration, s subset of modal phenomena. Typically the surface of a plate, diaphragm, or membrane is vibrated, and regions of maximum and minimum displacement are made visible in a thin coating of particles, such as sand, paste, or liquid.
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- deciduoustrees that shed their leaves during the Fall or at various intervals of development, or shedding leaves consistently at different intervals of lifespan are deemed deciduous
- dendromancyA form of divination (fortune-telling) by observing the leaves and branches of trees, particularly the oak and the mistletoe. More
- dentitionthe number and kind of teeth, and their arrangement in the mouth More
- descendantanyone who is your ancestor--their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and so on More
- detritivorean animal that feeds on dead organic material, especially plant detritus; an example of a detritivore is an earthworm, which obtains nutrients from decomposng plant and animal matter, even feces
- detrituscities left in ruins (detritus), or debris lefts over from a rock concert; left over garbage in a stadium when the event is over; cast-offs (detritus) of famous people; leftover items (detritus) from childhood, etc.
- diabetesA chronic condition where the body either doesn't produce enough insulin or can't effectively use the insulin it produces, leading to high blood sugar levels. Type 2 diabetes can often be prevented; Type 1 diabetes is not preventable. More
- diasporathe movement, migration, or scattering of a people away from an established or ancestral homeland; the most common referral to a diaspora is the settling of scattered colonies of Jews outside Palestine after the Babylonian exile; expansionary movements of people from their original living spaces
- dietthe kinds of food a person, animal, or community habitually eats; a regiment of eating may be designed for special medical or health benefits and may be called a "diet"
- diet
- diffusionthe borrowing of cultural traits between different groups, especially during mass migrations and immigration More
- digital statethe use of digital technology to enhance public services and governance, to help facilitate citizen participation in government processes More
- direct enculturationthe explicit teaching and instruction by parents, teachers, or societal members regarding cultural values, beliefs, and norms of behavior More
- diseasea disease is a disorder of structure or function in a human, animal, or plant that produces specific signs or symptoms, or that affects a specific location and is not simply a direct result of physical injury
- diversitythe state of being diverse or different, variety and/or diversity is more than exhibiting "different" outward appearances; diversity is often much more about cultural differences
- divinationThe practice of seeking knowledge of the future or the unknown by supernatural means. More
- DNAself-replicating material present in living organisms- the main constituent of chromosomes- the carrier of genetic information More
- documentationmaterials or resources that provide official/accurate information or evidence, or materials or resources that serves as a reliable record or serves as reliable data
- dogmaa set of principles laid down by an authority as incontrovertibly truths More
- domesticationto tame animals, and to cultivate plants for human use More
- Domingo Faustino Sarmientoa pivotal figure in Latin American history- educator, writer, and president of Argentina from 1868 to 1874- brought education, commerce, and agriculture to Argentina. his book, Facundo, and others are classics in Latin American literature More
- DruidA priest, magician, or soothsayer in the ancient Celtic religion, or a member of a present-day group claiming to be derived from this religion. More
- druidOne of an ancient Celtic priesthood appearing in Irish and Welsh sagas and Christian legends as magicians and wizards, or a present-day group claiming to be followers of Druidry, a nature-based spirituality that seeks harmony with nature. More
- DruidryA modern nature-based spirituality rooted in the practices of ancient Celtic priests, who are characterized by an experiential rather than a dogmatic approach to life and faith. More
- dynamica process or system, characterized by constant change, activity, or progress; in this way culture is dynamic
- dynastya succession of rulers of the same line of descent;Â a powerful group or family that maintains its position for a considerable time
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- early Iron Age1200-500 BCE, the early Iron Age, is the period following the Bronze Age, characterized by the use of iron for tools and weapons, leading to significant changes in aspects of human civilization More
- economyan economic system consists of the processes of production, distribution, and consumption; an economy is the production, distribution and consumption of goods and services in a specific locale
- ecosystema community of living organisms in a specific area, interconnected through nutrient cycles and energy flows, functioning as a single unit More
- egalitarianegalitarian does not mean "equal," rather it means equal access to resources for survival
- elements of culturegenerally speaking, there are seven main elements of culture: social organization, customs and traditions, religion, language, arts and literature, forms of government and economic systems. Added to those elements may be family or clan structures, marital and sexual arrangements.
- eliciting devicean object, game, list, questionnaire- even food or candy- used by a researcher to acquire information from informants More
- emicsometimes described as the native or indigenous point of view when studying a cultural group's longevity
- emigranta person leaving one country to reside in another country focuses on the departure of the persons or people More
- empirea very large political unit extending across many boundaries and dominated by one central power, which generally takes control of the economy, government, and culture throughout its territory
- empiricalempirical evidence is gathered scientifically; gaining knowledge by research - using scientific methods of observation
- enculturationlearning culture begins at birth; it is both conscious and unconscious learning, and both informal (within families) and formal (within institutions, as in church, or school), but most importantly it is passed down from generation to generation
- endogamywhen a person is expected to marry within a defined social group (in-marriage) More
- endonymThe name of a place or group of people that is used internally as a self-designation. For instance, Bharat is the endonym for India in Sanskrit; Spaniards refer to their country as Espana - not Spain (the exonym). More
- enlightenmentA philosophical and intellectual movement in the 18th century championing reason over superstition and tradition. It emphasized rationalism, individualism, and science, leading to major developments in politics, science, and society, advocating for natural rights and religious tolerance. More
- entomophagythe practice of people eating insects
- environmentthe surroundings or conditions in which a person, animal, or plant lives or operates; the aggregate of surrounding things, conditions, or influences;Â ecology, the air, water, minerals, organisms, and all other external factors and influences
- epidemicThe rapid spread of an infectious disease, to a large number of people, in a given population, within a short period of time.
- epiphenomthe science of religion and the study of non-belief as well
- equinoxOne of the two annual events where daylight and nighttime hours are nearly equal. The Earth's axis is tilted neither toward nor away from the Sun. More
- espanolea native or inhabitant of Spain, or relating to Spain, the Spanish people, or the Spanish language
- ethnic cleansingthe mass expulsion or killing of members of an unwanted ethnic or religious group in a society - think the Holocaust--mass slaughter of Jews by the Nazis in WWII More
- ethnic groupsan ethnic group is a group of people that share multiple cultural attributes such as language, religion, traditions and celebrations, specific wearing apparel, rituals, history, genealogy and/or geography; an ethnic group may share some, many, or all of these cultural traits
- ethnic-groupa community or population made up of people who share a common cultural background or descent over time More
- ethnicityethnicity is about exhibition of cultural traits such as language, clothing, celebrations, rituals, rites of passage, history, genealogy, etc.; such exhibition of cultural traits may be private or public, or both, Most people first associate color of skin with ethnicity, which may be only one component of ethnicity
- ethno-historystudy of cultures, populations, and groups of people from the recent past; researching through oral and personal histories, explorers' journals and diaries, writings of missionaries, traders, and travelers
- ethnocentricthe tendency for individuals to believe their own culture and lifeways are the best, and even superior to others' culture and lifeways.
- ethnocentrismevaluation of other cultures according to preconceptions originating in the standards and customs of your own culture More
- ethnogenesisthe process of formation or emergence of an ethnic group
- ethnographic methodsmethods used by anthropologists, scientists and/or individuals to discover cultural attributes during research of various venues; ethnographic methods include both informal and formal interviews, fieldwork, participant observation, using key consultants to confirm information, and academic research; in some cases it may also include interdisciplinary research with expert consultants
- ethnographya descriptive compilation of a culture based on fieldwork using ethnographic methods such as interviewing and participant observation; it may include research and description of an individual's culture, an entire cultural group, or a business culture
- ethnologyan anthropology method of research that studies cultures comparatively More
- ethnonymThe name by which a people or ethnic group is known. More
- ethnoreligiona religion tied to a specific ethnicity, culture, and/or geographic location, not universally applicable to all people (think Judaism) More
- ethnoreligious grouppeople who are both an ethnic group and a religious group with shared cultural, historical, and ancestral ties; for instance, the Jews are a religious group having a strong connection to Judaism More
- etican outsider's view of a culture or group; in ethnographic work, it may be the researcher's point of view
- etymologystudy of the origin of words and how their meanings have changed throughout history; in linguistics, the historical development of words More
- European Global Villagethe European culture region includes Europe, excluding those parts where the Slavic language is dominant, but also includes Greenland along with islands associated with the region
- evidenceproof, such as testimony, documents, records, certificates, material objects, etc. More
- evolutionthe gradual development of something from a simple to a more complex form; a gradual, progressive change; in nature, different organisms develop and diversify from earlier forms; Darwin's theory of natural selection seeks to explain the process of evolution of all organisms More
- exogamymarriage rules that specify that a person is to marry outside a defined social group (out-marriage) More
- exonymA name for a place or a group that outsiders use. The word Germany is an exonym because the actual name that insiders use is Deutschland. More
- exoticaobjects considered strange, unusual, or interesting because they are out of the ordinary, especially because they originated in a distant foreign country
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- fairytalea children's story about magical and imaginary beings and lands (think Cinderella or Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs) More
- familya family is group of people consisting of parents and children living together in a household; family members can also live away from parents or in a different household
- family group sheeta form that presents genealogical information about a nuclear family group consisting of parents and their children living in one home or residence More
- family of orientationthe family into which you are born More
- female circumcisiondefined by the World Health Organization (WHO)Â as "all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons - sometimes called female mutilation or FGM (female genital mutilation) or female genital cutting
- feudalisma system of political organization in Europe from the ninth through the 15th centuries, based on  economical related services of tenants, which benefitted their landlords; the tenants were bound by court and wardship
- fibulaIn art, a fibula is a decorative brooch or clasp, often made of metal, used to fasten clothing like cloaks or shawls - a common accessory in antiquity More
- fibulasIn archaeological terms, fibulas are brooches, clasps, or fasteners that hold clothing together. More
- fielda place where on location research is conducted; also known as fieldwork, or participant observation on various sites
- field notescarefully recorded, scientific observations of a researcher during participant observation, or after their observations of specific phenomenon he/she is studying; in autobiography field notes are those notes one jots down as one thinks of particular past events that are pertinent to the life story
- filidhMembers of an ancient Irish professional class of poets, lore-keepers, and seers who held a high social and legal status, successors to the Druids. More
- First NationsA term used to describe Indigenous peoples in Canada who are not Metis or Inuit. First Nations people are original inhabitants of the land that is now Canada; and they were the first to encounter sustained European contact, settlement and trade.
- First Nations
- folivoreanimal that feeds on leaves as a main diet
- folkloreFolklore refers to the collection of traditional stories, myths, legends, and beliefs that have been passed down orally or through practice within a cultural group. Folklore reflects shared identities and values in narratives by multiple storytellers. More
- foodany nutritious substance that people or animals eat or drink, or that plants absorb, in order to maintain life and growth
- food chaina sequence from grass, rabbit, fox, where organisms in a community, in which each member of the chain feeds on the members below it; humans are considered to be at the top of the food chain More
- food ideologyThe sum of the attitudes, beliefs, customs, and taboos affecting the diet of a given group. It is what people think of as food and what effect it has on their health. More
- food insecuritythe state of being without reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable nutritious food
- food poisoningpoisoning resulting from naturally poisonous foods, as certain mushrooms, or from chemical contaminants in food More
- food securityhaving access to sufficient and adequate food
- food sovereigntyThe right of peoples to define their food systems, with local control over food production, distribution, and consumption. It provides knowledge of those who produce and distribute food, rather than market demands, while stressing culturally appropriate foods and accessibility to all. More
- foodiea slang term for a person who has an enthusiastic interest in the preparation and consumption of fine foods, especially in fine restaurants More
- foragingto search the natural environment for food for nourishment - also called hunting and gathering More
- foraging societies or hunter-gathererssocieties that use foraging for the main subsistence practice; hunting and gathering wild plant foods, hunting local game, and/or fishing
- foreignto be foreign is to be of, from, in, or characteristic of a country or language other than one's own; something foreign my be considered strange or unfamiliar
- forensic anthropologistexamines human remains to make culturally relevant conclusions about death, usually for legal purposes More
- formal interviewa structured question-answer session carefully written down as it occurs; the questions are thought out and prepared ahead of the interview
- Franz Boasthe founder of the relativistic, culture-centered school of American anthropology that became dominant in the 20th century More
- frugivoreAn animal (human or otherwise) that eats primarily fruit More
- functionalisman idea that all cultural traits, customs, beliefs, religion, etc., have a specific function for the society in which it operates (British anthropologist, Bronislaw Malinowski) More
- fundamentalisma form of religion, especially Islam, and Protestant Christianity that upholds strict beliefs and literal interpretation of scripture More
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- gaitaA specific type of folk instrument, a bagpipe, or a style of music in parts of Spain with Celtic heritage. More
- garumRoman, fermented fish sauce, ancestral to Italian anchovy paste More
- gastronativismThe ideological use of food to determine who belongs and who doesn't in a community, or a particular group of people. More
- gazetteera book with alphabetical descriptions of towns, lakes, rivers, and mountains in a county (not country) More
- gendergender is culturally constructed; the word may have various meanings in various cultures; generally it is the state of being male or female (biologically), but is more often used with reference to social and cultural differences, which may or may not be biological gender is used in various languages such as Spanish, where nouns are preceded with an article such as la (feminine) or lo (masculine) - many languages have "gendered" speech, including Latin, Greek, Russian, and German, but grammatical gender is very loosely associated with natural distinctions of sex
- genealogical methodologyinvented by anthropologist, William Halse Rivers in 1898, to improve analysis of identification of links of kinship by marriage and descent; includes researching established oral histories, pedigrees, family group arrangements, and credible historical genealogies
- genealogythe study of family origins and history; genealogy is a combination of two Greek words meaning family and science; therefore, the science of studying a family's history; More
- generationsthose people that are born and living at about the same time, regarded collectively; usually a generation within families is considered about 20 years
- genesthe basic physical unit of heredity; a unit of heredity that is transferred from a parent to an offspring, and is held to determine some characteristics of the offspring
- genes
- genetic constitution"genetic constitution" may also be known as genotype, meaning the way in which someone or something is composed; attributes of people;
- Genghis Khanthe Great Khan (1162-1227 AD) and founder of the Mongol Empire; he united the nomadic tribes of Northeast Asia; at the end of his life the Mongol Empire covered most of Central Asia and China.
- genocidesometimes also referred to as ethnic cleansing, but genocide is far more systematic
- genotypewithin cultural frameworks of biologically inherited traits: skin color, eye color and structure, hair color and texture - the visible traits of human beings More
- geophagyThe practice of eating earth; consumption of edible clays; both animals and humans may eat dirt, which can act as a binder to detox More
- global dexteritythe ability to adapt behavior across cultures without losing who you are in the process; the ability to shift your cultural behavior in a way that's effective and appropriate in a new setting (Andy Molinsky's definition, Brandeis University)
- Global Villagea place in the world where your ancestor may have lived, Â the world is divided into cultural areas, each area designated as a global village, see the Global Villages Map.
- Global VillagesOn this site, Global Villages are representatives of the eleven dominant culture regions, as designated by cultural geography maps More
- global-dexteritythe ability to adapt your behavior within a foreign culture without losing yourself - fitting in without stepping too far outside your comfort zone - a term coined by a business school professor, Andy Molinsky More
- globalizationall nations and peoples are interconnected in today's world due to massive flow of goods and services, importation of labor, immigration, technology, finance capital, outsourcing of businesses, and infectious diseases; globalization promotes rapid culture change and adaptations, which blur the lines of cultural components More
- GMOgenetically modified organism; one whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques so that its DNA contains one or more genes not normally found there
- Goidelicrelating to the Goidelic languages collectively, denoting the northern group of Celtic languages, including Irish, Scottish Gaelic, and Manx More
- GPS SystemGPS System measures the credibility of conclusions about ancestral identities, relationships, and life events through: 1) reasonable exhaustive research, 2) accurate citations and sources, 3) analysis and correlation of all informative items, 4) resolution of conflicts of evidence, and 5) accurately written conclusions based on reliable evidence
- grammara system of rules that enables understandable communication between persons; the entire structure of a language
- Green New DealSierra Club Definition: "A Green New Deal is a big, bold transformation of the economy to tackle the twin crises of inequality and climate change. It would mobilize vast public resources to help us transition from an economy built on exploitation and fossil fuels to one driven by dignified work and clean energy." The actual Green New Deal was first coined by journalist, Thomas Friedman in the New York Times in 2007. It is a modern take on Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal, which was a response to the Great Depression of 1939. The U. S. Senate voted it down on March 25, 2019, mostly on the grounds of cost insufficiency to instigate such a plan, and the improbability of eliminating all fossil fuel machinery and vehicles, as well as airplane travel, and other unrealistic consequences within twelve years.
- greensconsisting of green plants or of the leaves of plants; having the color of growing grass;Â in the context of Culture and Food, we are specifically talking about green leafy plants that have high nutritional value for humans
- greens
- gregariouspeople who are fond of company; very sociable
- guardiana person lawfully appointed to care for the person of a minor, such as education, etc. More
- guerrilla warfareA form of irregular warfare that uses tactics like ambushes and sabotage to harass conventional forces. More
- Gwich'in
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- Hallstatt Culturerefers to a significant European archaeological culture of the early Iron Age, named after a site in Upper Austria from about the 8th to the 5th centuries BCE, known for advanced iron metalworking, and associated with the early Celts More
- Haplogroupa group of people who share a common ancestor and similar genetic markers. Haplogroups are used to study human evolution and migration. More
- Haplogroup
- hard powerThe coercive abilities of a state, such as military might and economic sanctions, used to induce or force others to change their position More
- heartha fireside or bottom of a fire pit or fireplace, where a family group may gather, or a place where a group or family activity might be centered
- hedonismThe philosophical view that pleasure is the ultimate good, categorized into different types to be understood and applied. More
- heirlooma valuable object that belonged to a family for several generations More
- heresyin religion, heresy is the belief or opinion contrary to orthodox religious doctrine, especially contrary to Christianity More
- hereticA person believing in or practicing religious heresy; a person holding an opinion at odds with what is generally accepted. More
- heritagesomething that comes or belongs to one by reason of birth;Â ancestors may be considered a kind of heritage; also traditions, achievements, beliefs, etc., that are part of the history of a group or nation; something passed down from preceding generations
- hijabthe Arabic translation means veil, curtain, or cloak, but the modern hijab (pronounced hih-job) is the traditional covering for the hair and neck worn by Muslim women
- hirsutean adjective meaning hairy, or perhaps shaggy, bushy and hair-covered - a hirsute man would be very hairy indeed
- holisticholistic means whole, the holistic study of culture means studying the entire context of a culture, such as language, religion, celebrations, organizations, rituals, etc., rather than focusing on one or two themes or components
- hopliteA hoplite was a heavily armed foot soldier of ancient Greece. One of the first known warrior-types that fought in an organized and close formation.
- horticulturea type of cultivation of the soil with hand tools, not mechanized using animals or other power
- HRAFrefers to Human Relations Area Files, which keep archival and cultural data, a corporation of the same name, referred to by the initials HRAF More
- Human Ecologythe study of the relationship between humans and their natural, social, and built environments; a genre of study credited to Robert Ezra Park, an American urban sociologist.
- humanismAn outlook or system of thought attaching prime importance to human rather than divine or supernatural matters, stressing the potential value and goodness of human beings, and rational ways of solving human problems More
- hunter-gatherers or foraging societiessocieties that use hunting and gathering or foraging for the main subsistence practice; hunting and gathering wild plant foods, hunting local game, and/or fishing
- hypothesisa proposed explanation made based on limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation More
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- IberiaThe word most commonly refers to the Iberian Peninsula, a region in southwest Europe that includes modern-day Spain and Portugal. More
- Iberian PeninsulaAlso known as Iberia. It is in south-western Europe, mostly separated from the rest of the European landmass by the Pyrenees mountains. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west and the Mediterranean Sea to the east, and contains both the countries of Spain and Portugal. More
- iconographyvisual images and symbols used in a work of art or the study or interpretation of these; a collection of illustrations or portraits; pictorial material relating to or illustrating a subject; traditional or conventional images or symbols associated with a subject, especially a religious or legendary subject
- identitythe name of a person, along with the qualities, beliefs, etc., that make a particular person or a group different from others
- Identity PoliticsIdentity Politics is a political approach wherein people of a particular religion, race, social background, class or other identifying factor develop political agendas and organize themselves based upon the interlocking systems of oppression that they feel affects their lives and comes from their various identities.
- ideologya systematic body of concepts and/or beliefs, especially about human life and culture; ideologies are inherent in every culture, but the body of concepts is not always universal or pan-human More
- immersionImmersing oneself in fieldwork and participant observation methods of research, spending time in the study area, learning the language and culture of the group being studied More
- immigranta person who immigrates to settle in another country; focuses on the arrival of the persons or people; emigration (with an e) focuses on departure from the homeland More
- immigrationthe action of coming to live permanently in a foreign country from a previous home country More
- immune systemthe body's defense against infectious organisms and other invaders; through a series of steps called immune response, the immune system attacks organisms and substances that invade body systems and cause diseases
- Indic Global VillageIndia is now a separate culture region all its own and is designated by Indic Global Village on this site
- indigenizationcultural features originating elsewhere but adopted by local people for local purposes, chosen by insiders rather than outsiders More
- individualisticindividualistic cultures are more interested in individual potential than group potential; individualism is about "I" and not "We"; individualistic cultures place great value on freedom and democracy
- industrial societysocieties based on manufactured products that are produced and used outside of the household; based on manufacturing and establishing of industries and factories
- informal interviewan open-ended casual (getting to know you) question and answer period between informant and researcher to build rapport and trust More
- informanta person from whom information is obtained, an informer More
- informed consent forma legally binding document signed by an informant agreeing to interviews for the purpose and intent of using the information gathered More
- insectivoreany of various small, principally nocturnal mammals of the order insectivora, characteristically feeding chiefly on insects, which includes the shrews, moles, and hedgehogs; an animal that feeds mainly on insects
- instinctsinstincts are strong biological drives, sometimes called "natural" drives like taste to prevent eating bad food, or yawning, or fight or flight, or crying, or fear
- insular artA post-Roman artistic style, 6th-9th centuries AD, in the British Isles and Ireland. It is a blend of Celtic, Anglo-Saxon (Germanic), and late Antique Roman traditions. Insular art is known for its visual language with intricate, dense patterns and stylized animal and human forms, later influencing Romanesque and Gothic art. More
- intensive agriculturecultivation of soil to grow food plants using advanced technology; today's intensive agriculture uses mechanized equipment on large plots of land and crops are sold for profit
- interdisciplinaryresearch using resources from various disciplines (history, geography, biology, anthropology, etc.) to define, describe, or interpret findings More
- interviewa formal meeting by one person to question another person; with regard to family history and genealogy, an interview can capture memories from relatives, before they are lost - an interview can verify, and/or preserve names, dates, places, and even people in photos. Interview information is usually recorded on family group sheets or pedigree charts, or in a personal history story of an important event
- Islamic Global Village (culture region)Islamic culture region, designated as the Islamic Global Village includes the countries of North Africa above the Sub-Saharan region, and all of the countries in the Middle East, except Israel. There are 57 countries in the Organization of the Islamic Conference, but all are not located in the Islamic Global Village.
- Isle of Mana small island in the Irish Sea, located halfway between Great Britain and Ireland. More
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- Jewish diasporadispersion or exile is the dispersion of Israelites or Jews out of their ancient ancestral homeland and their subsequent settlement in other parts of the world More
- Johann Georg RamsauerHe was an important excavator who discovered the Hallstatt burial site and left behind a comprehensive documentation of early European archaeology, which became known as the Hallstatt Culture. More
- John Reed SwantonJohn Reed Swanton (1873-1958), was influenced by Franz Boas as a student, going on to get a Ph.D. at Harvard in 1900. He wrote numerous articles and created monographs of the Indians of the Southeast on everything from languages, religion, social organizations, material culture and mobility of tribes. His research became know as ethno-history and mainly dealt with Native American cultures; but today ethno-history research includes maps, music, paintings, photography, folklore, oral traditions, museum collections and even the origins of place names.
- Judaisman Abrahamic, monotheistic, ethnic religion that comprises the collective spiritual, cultural, and legal traditions of the Jewish people More
- judaizingConforming to the spirit, character, principles, or practices of Judaism; following Jewish customs or religious rites. More
- Julian Calendarcalendar named after Julius Caesar; used from 45 BC to AD 1582; called Old Style calendar; replaced by Gregorian (current) calendar More
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- key consultanta person or group of persons that help a researcher interpret cultural behaviors of an ethnic group or a particular culture being studied More
- kurgansprehistoric burial mounds or barrows of a type found in southern Russia and the Ukraine; sometimes the people who built such mounds are also referred to as "kurgans"
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- La TeneAn archaeological site located in Switzerland, famous for giving its name to the La Tène Culture, a Late Iron Age culture of European Celts. More
- La Tene
- landscapeall the visual features of an area of countryside or land, considered in terms of settlement and making a living More
- languagea system of symbols that allow people to communicate with each other, also the MOST symbolic way that culture is passed down
- language lossLanguage is the most symbolic way human beings pass on culture; therefore when languages become extinct, there is great cultural loss as well
- Latin American Global Villagethe Latin American culture region includes all of South America, plus Mesoamerica, and including the Easter Island, which was annexed and claimed by Chile in 1888
- legacylong-lasting impact of events that took place in the past or of a person's life; or amount of money or property left to someone in a will More
- legenda traditional story popularly regarded as historical truth but unauthenticated (the legend of King Arthur) More
- lineagea direct line of descent from an ancestor More
- linguistic anthropologyOne of the four fields of anthropology that studies language use in culture and society and how it affects behavior More
- lorea collection of traditions and knowledge about a subject, held by a particular group, passed down from person to person, usually by word of mouth More
- loyalista colonist who supported the British during the American Revolution of 1776; also known as a Tory More
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- MabinogionThe Mabinogion is a collection of eleven medieval Welsh prose stories, compiled from earlier oral traditions, which are a blend of pre-Christian Celtic mythology, folktales, and historical traditions More
- maiden namea woman's last name before she married, not her married surname More
- majuscule scriptA style of handwriting where all letters are the same height, written between two imaginary lines with no ascenders (letters that extend above or below the line). In other words, the script is written in all "capital" letters, similar to uppercase letters in modern typography. More
- malnutritionpoor nourishment resulting from insufficient food intake More
- MaorisMaoris are a native Polynesian population of New Zealand; Maori is also the name of their language
- Margaret Meadan American cultural anthropologist, author, and speaker, famous for her work studying children's play and imagination and how they are shaped by adult society More
- material CultureMaterial culture: all tangible objects, which are created, used, kept, and/or left behind by past and present cultures. In other words, the physical evidence of human experience. Material culture may be dwellings, pottery, tools, furniture, weapons, ornaments, art, and/or complete structures of cities.
- maternalline of descent traced from the mother's side More
- Medical AnthropologyA field of anthropology which focuses on the cultural beliefs pertaining to health, illness and what may determine overall wellness. Health and wellness beliefs are influenced by cultural aspects such as religion, politics, and the history of diseases and their causes. The three intersections of culture, health and wellness is what Medical Anthropologists study and research.
- memorythe power or process of remembering what has been learned; something remembered, kept in the mind for later recall; something remembered from the past; a recollection
- Mesoamericathe Southern portion of North America that was occupied anciently (before Columbus) by people known as the Olmecs, the Maya, and the Aztecs who shared many cultural features
- methodologya system of methods for investigating a particular area (or genre) of study;  also analysis of those methods associated with the branch of knowledge being studied
- MI Theorya theory by Howard Gardner in 1983 that proposes that all human beings have multiple intelligences, which may be culturally enhanced - emphasizing the importance of using human intellect to its fullest potential - these intelligences should be taken into account when teaching, mentoring, or nurturing More
- migrationthe movement of populations (a collective) of people from one area to another; migration is usually a response caused by climate, diminishing food supplies, war, disease, or catastrophic natural events (floods, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes); may be by land or by sea, or in today's world by evacuations
- mitrochondrial DNA (mtDNA)mitrochondria DNA contains some structural genes and is generally inherited only through the female line; structures within cells that convert the energy from food into a form that cells can use; among the 20,000-25,000 total genes in the human genome
- Modern Periodthe modern era is said to have begun approximately in the 16th century; beginning after the post-classic era or Middle Ages; historic events that are relevant to the present time or modern era, but there is no exact starting date or ending date for any historical era
- Mohammad (prophet of Islam)influential founder of the religion of Islam, born in 570 AD in Mecca, Arabia and died in 632 in Medina - he is accepted by Muslims throughout the world as the last of the prophets of God (Allah) - this definition adapted from the definition given in the Encyclopaedia Britannica online at the following link https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/396226/Muhammad
- Monsanto Corporationthe world's largest grossing seed company; a major producer of GM (genetically modified) seeds
- morphologya branch of biology dealing with the form and structure of organisms; the form and structure of an organism (body structure) considered as a whole More
- mulattoa person with both Black and White ancestors More
- mytha traditional story, especially one concerning the early history of a people--or explaining a natural or social phenomenon, typically involving supernatural beings or events More
- mythologya collection of myths, especially one belonging to a particular religious or cultural tradition (i.e., Celtic), the study of myths includes archaeology, folklore, and comparisons among cultures More
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- nationalismAn identification with one's own nation and support for its interests to the exclusion or detriment of other nations. It can also be advocacy or support for the political independence of a particular nation or people, "Scottish nationalism," "Russian nationalism," or "American nationalism." More
- naturethe phenomena of the physical world collectively, including plants, animals, the landscape, and other features and products of the earth, as opposed to humans and or human creations
- NecropolisA Greek word meaning "city of the dead." A necropolis is a large cemetery belonging to an ancient city or civilization; a historical burial ground that may include tombs, mausoleums, and other funerary structures. More
- nemetaA nemeton (singular) or nemeta (plural) was a sacred space in ancient Celtic religion where rituals, ceremonies, or other gatherings were held. More
- nemetonA pre-Christian Celtic sacred space, a sanctuary, usually a grove of trees, used by Druids for religious rituals and gatherings, associated with deities like Mars Nemetona, a goddess of the sacred groves. More
- Neolithic agethe Neolithic (neo-new) or New Stone Age relates to the period of human culture around 10,000 BC in the Middle East. It is characterized by the domestication of plants and animals, This age also produced polished stones, flint tools, and weapons, and is associated with civilization. The advent of writing and metalworking is said to mark the end of the Neolithic age. More
- NGO's
- noetic scienceA field that studies consciousness and subjective human behavior; that mind and matter are interconnected; and that consciousness can influence physical reality. More
- nomadic lifestyleslifestyles that involve making a living by migratory (mobile) means, such as pastoralism and hunting and gathering
- nomadic societiessocieties that make a living by herding or moving from place to place; nomads have no fixed home and move according to the seasons in search of food, water and grazing land
- non-food producersthose people in a society that do not produce food or do not work in the food producing industry; yet they must still be fed by society; such people might be blacksmiths, potters, artists, craftsmen
- non-human culturesome primates, such as chimpanzees and gorillas and others may exhibit a type of culture, such as cracking nuts and washing food, or building sleeping nests, which are learned, shared and passed down to the young, but non-human culture does not have the complexity of human culture, which is passed down symbolically by language, adaptation, and creativity
- non-human primatea mammal of the order of Primates, which includes the anthropoids and prosimians, characterized by refined development of the hands with opposable thumbs and feet having nails rather than claws, a shortened snout, good eyesight and a large brain - non-human primates include gorillas, monkeys, chimpanzees
- Non-material culturethe intangible ideas, values, and beliefs that shape a society and it does not include physical objects like clothing More
- norms(cultural) norms are the shared expectations and rules that guide how people behave in a society or group, either formally or informally More
- notarial recordsOfficial, detailed journals or registers kept by a notary public to document official notarial acts they perform, serving as legal transactions to verify the identities of people who sign legal documents. This prevents fraud and is used as legal evidence. More
- nourishmentfood or other substances necessary for growth, health, and good condition
- nutrienta substance that provides nourishment essential for growth and the maintenance of life; a source of nourishment, especially a nourishing ingredient in a food; a food or other substance that provides energy or building material for the survival and growth of a living organism
- nutritionIn its broadest term, nutrition encompasses the entire process by which living organisms (humans in our context) acquire and utilize food to support life, growth, and overall health. More
- Nutritional AnthropologyThe study of food and nutrition from evolutionary, behavioral, social and cultural perspectives, and how these interact in the production of nutritional health at the individual, community and population levels.
- nutritionismAn ideology that views food primarily in terms of its nutrient content, which reduces understanding of food to components like vitamins and minerals, rather than considering food as a whole. It emphasizes the importance of nutrient intake for health. More
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- obesitya medical condition in which accumulated excess body fat may have a negative effect on health; Â obesity is often defined by a person's BMI (body mass index); BMI over 25, and 20 pounds overweight, serious obesity is 100 pounds overweight More
- obituarya notice of a death, usually in a newspaper, sometimes includes a biography of the deceased person More
- Oceanic Global Villagethe Oceanic, or Insular Oceanic culture region, also sometimes referred to as Oceania, includes the entire insular region between Asia and the Americas, but centered on the islands of the tropical Pacific Ocean, excluding Australia and New Zealand - the region is separated into the areas of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia for more clarity - some older maps may include Australia and New Zealand in this region, but for this site we designate Australia and New Zealand as the Austral-European culture region
- omnivorethose that include both animal and plant tissues in their diet More
- oppidaLarge, fortified towns from the Celtic Late Iron Age and early Roman periods. They were defensive features, but also served as centers for trade, craft, and culture. More
- optimum healthoptimum health involves strength, flexibility, durability and balance - a conduit for the flow of vital energy, which includes freedom from mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual bonds; in other words a quality of life which allows for clear thinking, good memory, analyses and creativity; all of these are inter-related and integrated in a state of optimum health (self-optima.com)
- optimum nutritiongiving yourself the best possible intake of nutrients to allow your body to be as healthy and to work as well as it possibly can; eating the right amounts of nutrients on a proper schedule to achieve the best performance and the longest possible lifetime in good health
- oral genealogyin early civilizations, before writing, oral family histories and genealogies were dependent upon memory, usually a person in a community was assigned this task; sometimes this person used knot arrangements or beads to enhance the oral genealogical transmissions - important events were sometimes included in the long oral recitations of a family's or clan's genealogy
- oral historya collection of family stories told by a member of the family or a close family friend More
- oral traditionOral tradition is the cultural knowledge and information that has been passed down through speech from one generation to the next.
- OrdinariesIn British English Law, persons who exercise authority by virtue of office and not by delegation. More
- orphana minor child whose parents have died More
- orthopraxyrefers to correct practices or actions, usually in a religious context, similar to orthodoxy, which focuses on correct belief or doctrine More
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- PagansThose who follow a polytheistic or earth-centered spiritual path often with roots in ancient pre-Christian traditions. An "umbrella" term used to describe various nature-based religious beliefs, distinct from Abrahamic faiths (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam). More
- paleoanthropologistthe scientific study of the origins, and predecessors, of the human species by means of their fossil remains
- paleobotanythe study of ancient fossil plants and vegetation
- paleographydeciphering and dating historical manuscripts, such as deeds and land records of antiquity, and/or the study of ancient writing systems, or translating such manuscripts for better cultural interpretations
- paleolithicof, or relating to, or denoting the early phase of the Stone Age, lasting about 2.5 million yeas ago, when primitive stone tools and implements were used
- paleolithic dietthe paleolithic diet is a modern nutritional plan based on the presumed diet of Paleolithic humans, which relates to the cultural period of the Stone Age beginning with the earliest chipped stone tools, about 750,000 years ago, until the beginning of the Mesolithic Period, about 15,000 years ago
- paradoxa statement, despite sound reasoning from acceptable premises,leads to a conclusion that seems senseless, logically unacceptable, or self-contradictory; a seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or proposition, when investigated or explained, may prove to be well founded or true
- paramount chiefa Paramount Chief is one that has multiple villages under his jurisdiction, such as Chief Caulker over the 208 villages in the Bumpeh Chiefdom in Sierra Leone, West Africa
- parenta parent is a father or a mother; can also be someone who acts as a mother or father to someone; a parent may also be an adoptive parent
- participant observationa technique of field research used in anthropology disciplines, by which an investigator (participant observer) studies the life of a group by sharing in its activities
- participant observera method of data collection initiated by those who do qualitative research; a widely used method by cultural anthropologists, sociologists and others, which involves working on location, in the field, as a participant observer - actually participating in community activities, learning the language, and observing village or community life over long periods of time - such researchers often select special people in the community where they are researching to be their cultural informant or key consultant
- pastoralisma way of making a living focused on domestication of animals, which includes herding and breeding; pastoralists are mobile, meaning they move their herds seasonally or to access available water holes or better food resources for their animals
- pastoralistA sheep or cattle farmer. More
- paternala line of descent traced from the father's side More
- Pazyryk Culturean Iron Age culture (6th-3rd centuries BC) whose tombs are located in the Pazyryk Valley of the Ukok plateau in the Altai Mountains in Siberia, south of the modern city of Novosibirsk, Russia
- peasantthe word peasant was formally defined by Eric Wolf, cultural anthropologist, who insisted that peasants were no more than "rural cultivators" whose surpluses are transferred to a dominant group of rulers who uses the surpluses to underwrite their own standard of living and in turn distributes the remainder to other groups in the society who do not farm, but need to be fed because they produce goods and services useful to the society as a whole
- pecuniaryAn advantage by deception that concerns or involves money, such as a pecuniary advantage. More
- pedigree charta chart showing lines of descent, paternal and maternal; the chart contains parallel lines with boxes noting births, deaths, marriages, and sometimes locations, usually presenting three to five generations on a page More
- peripatetictraveling from place to place, especially working or based in various places for relatively short periods, for instance, the military is a peripatetic profession.
- peripherythe outer limits or edge of an area or object More
- pertinacityDetermination to achieve a particular aim, despite difficulties or opposition, and marked by persistence and a degree of stubbornness. More
- phenotypeIn biological anthropology and genetics, phenotype is the term for outward appearances, or observable traits. More
- phenotype
- phenotypesthe sets of observable (visual) characteristics of an individual; noticeable traits such as hair color/texture, eye color/shape, skin color, or any other characteristics that might result from the interaction of its genotype (or genetic constitution) with the environment More
- philologythe branch of knowledge, from late Middle Age, that deals with the structure, historical development, and relationships of a language or languages; from the Greek philologia or 'love of learning'
- Physical Anthropologythe branch of anthropology that deals with human evolutionary biology, physical variation, and classification; also called biological anthropology
- Pierre BourdieuPierre Bourdieu (1930-2002) was a French sociologist and anthropologist who declared ground-breaking theories known as "cultural capital," "reflexivity," and "habitus," He sought to connect his theories with sound empirical research.
- pilgrima pilgrim is a person who journeys to a sacred place for religious reasons; cultural pilgrimages in the contemporary world are much different than ancient pilgrimages, which required a great deal of sacrifice, suffering, and penance in making sacred journeys to designated sacred places
- pilgrimagea long journey, usually to a sacred place; an act of religious devotion; may be undertaken to pay homage; may be taken to find oneself; to gain perspectives for one's life; considered to be both an inward and an outward journey, which may strengthen or re-discover faith
- pogonophilespogonophiles love, or are attracted to beards
- pogromAn organized massacre of a particular ethnic group, in particular, the Jewish people in 15th-century Spain and in Russia or Eastern Europe in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. More
- political or "the political"
- PompeiiA city in what is now the municipality of Pompeii, near Naples, in the Campania region of Italy. It was a Roman colony in 80 BC. More
- posita statement that is made on the assumption that it will prove to be true
- posthumousAn occurrence or an award given to a person after death (posthumously). More
- postmodernan intellectual movement, which challenged themes that were first articulated during the Enlightenment (late 17th and early 18th centuries) such as scientific positivism, human progress, human reasoning, and essential truths of physical and social conditions - with a more general critique of Western institutions and knowledge
- prehistoricthe ancient times before writing was invented or used to keep records of historical happenings
- primatea mammal of the order of Primates, which includes the anthropoids and prosimians, characterized by refined development of the hands and feet, a shortened snout, and a large brain; typically having flexible hands and feet with opposable first digits (thumbs), good eyesight, and in the higher apes, a highly developed brain; includes lemurs, lorises, monkeys, apes, and humankind
- primatologista scientist who specializes in the study of primates, ie, monkeys, apes, lemurs, and their behaviors, biology, evolution, taxonomy, etc. More
- proto-agriculturethe practice of promoting the growth and/or reproduction of native plants by methods of cultivation, but not necessarily a complete state of growing crops in large agricultural plots
- Proto-Celticalso known as Common Celtic, but is a hypothetical ancestral language descended from all known Celtic languages; a reconstructed language analyzed through a comparative method of shared features of various Celtic languages, which provides an insight into vocabulary and grammar spoken by the earliest Celts. More
- Puranas(Sanskrit: "Ancient") in the sacred literature of Hinduism, any of a number of popular encyclopaedic collections of myth, legend, and genealogy, varying greatly as to date and origin.
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- qualitative datadata that cannot be measured: research from diaries, journals, interviews, archival information, etc. More
- quantitative datadata (research information) that is statistical or measurable in some way: charts, diagrams, graphs, or infographics More
- QuechuaQuechua are Indian people of Peru who speak the Quechua language; Quechua is the language of the Inca civilization, presently spoken by about seven million people in Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina
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- racea sub-group in biology, but not applicable to human beings - there is only one race - the human race More
- reciprocitythe practice of exchanging things with others for mutual benefit , privileges granted by one country or organization to another More
- refined foodsfoods from which nutrient content has been removed; these types of foods include white flour, white rice, white sugar, white pasta; highly processed foods extracted of nutrients needed for growth and/or health; manufactured and refined from one state to another such as whole grains that end up as refined powders (flours)
- reflexa reflex is automatic and involuntary, like the "involuntaries" when you first fall asleep, or blushing, or getting cold chills
- reflexivityon this site we are referring to "personal reflexivity," which is about a person's values, beliefs, acquaintances, and interests, and how they can influence a person's research, writing, and behaviors towards others, etc. being able to recognize one's own biases and prejudices, beliefs and assumptions - recognizing culture-bound attitudes and acquiring the ability to self-critique one's own behaviors; this is especially important when meeting people from other cultures, or writing descriptions of others' cultures -
- regaliaDistinctive clothing, and/or ornaments worn, or artifacts carried at formal occasions to designate status or tribal affiliations; regalia ornaments such as a crown, scepter or special emblems can also be an indication of royalty - and/or used at coronations or special rites of passage
- religionan organized system of beliefs expressed through rituals and symbols and concerned with the supernatural in some way; the way a society holds itself together and "sells" its ethics and standards to the next generation - no culture has ever survived without religion More
- religion
- resiliencethe capacity to withstand or to recover quickly from human difficulties; toughness More
- restrictive codesrestricted codes in language are basically "jargon"Â words that the ordinary person may not understand
- revolutionary movementDefined by Jeff Goodwin and James M. Jasper as, "a social movement that seeks, as minimum, to overthrow the government or state."
- rites of passagea rite of passage occurs when a member of a society or group has been transformed in some way; for instance from a boy to manhood, a girl to womanhood, a boy to a warrior, a woman to a wife; marriage is a rite of passage from adolescence to adulthood in some societies; graduation, first communions, baptisms, and bar-mitzvahs are all rites of passage
- ritualA ritual is not necessarily religious; but it most often is. Â It is an established or prescribed procedure. Â In anthropology a ritual is described as formal, repetitive, and stereotyped. Â It requires human behavior, which is performed in certain places, at set times. Â Rituals are necessitated by participants, rather than audiences. Â They are usually passed down from generation to generation; but a ritual can also be individualistic and started anew by anyone at any time, such as a baseball player touching a base or something else to bring luck during the game.
- ritualsthe prescribed order of performing a ceremony or act, especially one characteristic of a particular religion or church; rituals are usually collectivistic behaviors and most often include a specialist overseeing the activity or activities
- Robert Ezra ParkProfessor Robert Park (1864-1944) was an American urban sociologist, credited with coining the term Human Ecology. Â He was well known for his work with ethnic minorities, and African Americans. Â He was one of the founders of the Chicago School of Sociology. He worked with Booker T. Washington at the Tuskegee Institute and taught at the University of Chicago from 1914-1933.
- Roe vs WadeRoe vs Wade (1973) was the United States Supreme Court case that held that the Constitution protected a woman's right to an abortion prior to the viability of the fetus; thus government regulation must meet strict scrutiny in judicial review. Â It was also about privacy and choice.
- Ruth Benedicta pioneering anthropologist who became America's leading specialist in the field, known for her "patterns of culture" theory, awakening the culture and personality movement within anthropology More
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- sainingAn ancient Scottish and Irish cultural practice of purification, blessing, and protection involving smoke, holy water, prayers, etc.. More
- San BenitoA penitential garment worn by heretics during the Spanish Inquisition. A yellow garment with red crosses was for heretics; a black one with painted flames and devils was worn by those condemned to burn at the stake. More
- Sanskritan ancient Indic language of India, in which the Hindu scriptures and classical Indian epic poems are written, and from which many northern Indian languages are derived
- saturated fatA fat, most often of animal origin, that is solid at room temperature and whose fatty acid chains cannot incorporate additional hydrogen atoms; any animal fat, abundant in fatty meats, dairy products, coconut oil, and palm oil, tending to raise cholesterol levels in the blood
- sciencesystematic study of structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation, experiments, and testing of theories against evidence obtained More
- Scythiansan ancient Iranic people of horse-riding nomadic pastoralists who, throughout classical antiquity dominated the Pontic-Caspian steppe, (near the Caspian Sea) known at the time as Scythia
- Second Punic WarA war was fought between Rome and Carthage (218-201 BC), which was the first step towards Rome's eventual dominance of the Iberian Peninsula. Rome took Carthaginian properties in Hispania, after defeating Carthage. More
- secularismthe principle of separation of state from religious institutions, no discrimination against anybody because of religious beliefs More
- sedentary lifestylea lifestyle that is not migratory; lifestyle where there is little exercise or daily movement; not a hunting and gathering lifestyle
- selfa person's essential being that distinguishes them from others, especially considered as the object of introspection or reflexive action; one's identity, character, abilities, and attitudes, especially towards persons or things outside of oneself note:Â reflexive is also in the glossary on this site
- self-identityone's own person, with character and essential qualities distinct from all others More
- self-reported ancestrySelf-reported ancestry, ethnicity, identity, and/or race are labels, often applied relative to visual appearance, such as skin color, hair texture, eye shapes, or even cultural, geographical, economic, or social factors. Genetic testing reveals only 30% of individuals' self-reported ancestry is correct. Self-reported ancestry, when compared with genetic testing, does not always reveal the same results.
- SephardicRefers to Jews of Spanish, Portuguese, or North African descent, whose name comes from the Hebrew word for Spain, "Sefarad," historically formed when Jews were expelled from Spain in 1492. More
- settlement patternsof interest to historians and geographers for the insight into how a community of people (settlers) developed over time, influenced by resources and culture More
- shamanA shaman is a person (especially among indigenous peoples) who acts as an intermediary between the natural and the supernatural worlds, using magic and/or herbs or potions to cure the sick, divining the hidden, and controlling events. More
- sharbatsan Arab food that eventually evolved into ice cream More
- shoguns (of Japan)a hereditary commander-in-chief in feudal Japan. Because of the military power concentrated in his hands and the consequent weakness of the nominal head of state (the mikado or emperor), the shogun was generally the real ruler of the country until feudalism was abolished in 1867.
- siblinga brother or sister, persons who share the same parents More
- Sino-Japanese Global Villagethe Sino-Japanese culture region includes a large part of mainland China, North and South Korea, along with the Japanese islands and other smaller islands within the region - some islands are claimed by both China and Japan
- slash-and-burnSlash-and-burn is a form of farming in forests, whereby an area of the forest is cleared by cutting and burning. Â The ashes make for more fertile soil for planting. Â After a few seasons the crop area is left alone in order to return to forest.
- slash-and-burn-cultivationalso called swidden farming; an extention form of horticulture where natural vegetation is cut, the slash is subsequently burned, and crops are planted among the ashes More
- slaveryforcibly removing people from their homelands to sell them into slavery, enslavement of war captives, or slavery for prostitution - there are many forms of slavery, but also a condition where human beings are owned by other human beings, and by law are property More
- Slavicof, relating to, or denoting the branch of the Indo-European language family that includes Russian, Ukrainian, and Belorussian ( East Slavic ), Polish, Czech, Slovak, and Sorbian ( West Slavic ), and Bulgarian, Serbian, Croatian, Macedonian, and Slovene ( South Slavic ).
- Slavic Global Villagethe Slavic culture region includes part of Central Europe, the Balkans, Central Asia and parts of Northern Asia, including Belarus, Bosnia, Herzegovina, Gulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Poland, Russia, Serbia and other countries not clearly defined in the culture region like Transnistria and Kosovo
- Slow Food MovementA global grassroots organization that promotes food that is good, clean, and fair, emphasizing local and traditional foods, sustainable agriculture, and the pleasure of dining, and which opposes the rise of fast food and its negative impacts. More
- social mediawebsites and applications that enable users, on various devices, to create and share content or to participate in social networking
- socializationto convert, adapt, or adhere to the needs of society - this also relates to acculturation when in consistent contact with a different culture than your native one
- societya group of people who are all interdependent and interconnected by their cultural connections; they live in patterned ways and their behaviors in various circumstances are well established; for instance in the Western world most people adhere to lines (cue) at bus stops, or movie theaters, or when checking out at a grocery store; patterned and regular ways of doing things are expected and accepted
- socio-culturalof or involving both social and cultural factors More
- socio-economic statusa measurement of well-being that includes income, occupation, education, and housing conditions More
- soft powerinvolves the use of cultural influence, political values, and foreign policies to persuade or attract others to support or adopt similar views or actions More
- soft power
- solsticeOne of the two annual events that marks the longest or shortest day of the year. The Earth's axial tilt is at its maximum toward or away from the Sun, resulting in the longest period of daylight (summer solstice) or the shortest (winter solstice). More
- sorceryThe use of magic, especially black magic; or the use of power gained from the assistance or control of evil spirits especially for divining in a magical sense; sorcery's intent is always evil, never good. More
- Southeast Asia Global Villagethe Southeast Asia culture region consists of eleven countries, including lands in Asia South of the Tropic of Capricorn, and excluding the Pacific Islands and India - some out of date maps may still show Asia (alone) as a culture region, designating it as "Oriental," which included India and some Pacific Islands as well
- Spanish InquisitionA religious tribunal established by the Spanish monarchy in 1478 to maintain Catholic orthodoxy; or other beliefs considered deviations from the Catholic faith; primarily targeted Jews and Muslims; it lasted until 1834. More
- spodomancyA term from the Greek word spodos (ashes). A form of divination using ashes, soot, or cinders to interpret patterns or marks for omens and prophecies. More
- statea state is an independent political entity with a centralized government and set geographical boundaries where control is exercised by police or military; a state claims the right to defend itself from both internal and external threats by use of force; a state may have many villages and cities and/or millions or billions of people as in China and India
- storytellingthe interactive art of using words and/or actions to reveal elements and images while encouraging the reader's or listener's imagination; an ancient art form and a form of human expression; storytelling is essential in almost every art form involving a two-way interaction between the art and the observer, reader, or listener More
- stratified societiessocieties where people are formed into groups according to status or hierarchies
- Sub-Saharan Africa Global VillageAfrica is divided into two separate culture regions: Sub-Saharan located below the Sahara Desert, and north of the Sahara, which is part of the Islamic culture region
- subculturesa cultural group within a larger culture, having beliefs or interests that are contrary to those of the larger culture More
- subsistencea method whereby humans are able to continue their existence; condition of being able to stay alive; practices that maintain survival
- supernaturala manifestation or event attributed to some force beyond scientific understanding or the laws of nature More
- surnamelast name, family name More
- sustainabilitythe basic definition of sustainability is maintaining ecological balance; but for our purposes in studying human culture, we add two more dimensions of sustainability: social and economical, so sustainability is about maintaining social, economic, and ecological balance (as much as possible)
- swastikas• Ancient symbols, such as an equal-armed cross with each arm continuing at a right angle, were used by South Asian cultures, across ancient Greece, by Nordic peoples, and by some Native American tribes to bring good luck. 2. A black cross with each arm bent clockwise at a right angle, used as the emblem of the German Nazi party.
More - symbiotic relationshipsSymbiotic relationships are special types of interactions between species, which are essential to both organisms and ecosystems.  Such relationships provide a balance only achieved by working together.  An example is the relationship between the African honeyguide and the humans who use their help to locate beehives. More
- symbolsomething that stands for, represents, or suggests another thing - human culture is symbolic More
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- taboosocial or religious custom of forbidding a particular practice, a particular food, or even a particular discussion about a particular person, place, or thing More
- tax farmingTax farming was a public financial management arrangement used anciently in Egypt, Rome, and Greece; also in medieval times in Spain and other countries. Governments needed services of a "farmer" to collect tax revenues, which were due to the state. Accordingly tax farming required on-site tax-collecting visits to communities by state employees. Tax yields were uncertain due to external forces such as bad weather, poor harvests, rebellions, wars, disease, or famines.
- technologythe system by which a society provides its members with things needed or desired, along with knowledge for the use and maintenance of the system More
- thermopoliumA type of ancient Roman establishment, similar to a fast-food restaurant or snack bar. Food and drinks were served, which could be consumed onsite or taken away. Ancient Pompei, for example, had many thermopolia (plural). They were popular among the middle classes, who often did not have kitchens in their homes. More
- tituliA Latin word (plural for titulus) which translates to inscription, label, or title. In Roman history, tituli refer to inscriptions on stone. More
- tituli
- ToledoA historic city in central Spain, formerly the capital of the Spanish Empire. Its location on a high rocky promontory on the Tagus River, was known as the "prize jewel of Sephardic Judaism." Christian, Jewish, and Muslim cultures coexisted in peace, as the "City of Three Cultures" in early medieval times. The term "Toledo" also refers to a finely tempered sword, made in the city. More
- tolerancewillingness to accept feelings, habits, or beliefs that are different from your own More
- toxinspoisonous substances capable of causing disease or death when introduced into the body
- traditionA tradition is culture passed down from generation to generation. Â It may be based on myth, legend, truth, or supernatural beliefs More
- transhumancea kind of seasonal herding of animals from one elevation to another; vertical such as moving animals to higher and cooler elevations in the summer and into warmer lower valleys in the winter
- tribal federationAn alliance of distinct tribes that unite for a common purpose while retaining their individual identities and cultures, forming a larger, collective unity, which allows for broader goals by pooling resources. More
- tribea tribe may be dozens to hundreds of people, larger than a band but not as large as a chiefdom; tribes are often associated with agriculture and animal domestication, though on a small scale; tribes may have a village or two with little bureaucracy and an informal political organization
- tribunalIn the Spanish Inquisition, it was the royal court's task to investigate and eliminate heresy; to enforce religious orthodoxy (Catholicism), established in 1478, headed by a Grand Inquisitor, a council, and an empire judge to punish those who were deemed heretics. More
- tubera tuber is a much-thickened underground part of a stem or rhizome, e.g., in the potato, serving as a food reserve and bearing buds from which new plants arise
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- UNESCOUNESCO is an acronym standing for United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, established in 1945
- urbanizationthe process by which towns and cities are formed and become larger as more and more people begin living and working in the central areas
- urnfieldsa cemetery full of individual cremation urns (large ceramic jars), also some Bronze-Age cultures were characterized by cremation in urns, which began in Eastern Europe about the second millennium BC. Â By the seventh century BC these urnfields covered almost all of mainland Europe.
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- Vedasthe entire body of Hindu sacred writings, chief among which are four books, the Rig-Veda, the Sama-Veda, the Atharva-Veda, and the Yajur-veda
- vellumAnciently, a fine-grained, unsplit lambskin, kidskin, or calfskin prepared especially for writing on or for binding books. More
- virtual worldsplaces of human culture realized by computer programs over the Internet; and enables experiences that are not possible in real life More
- vitalsvital records of birth, marriage, death, and divorce records More
- votiveA votive offering is a gift or object that is a tangible expression dedicated to a deity in fulfillment of a vow or gratitude for answered prayers or blessings. More
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- WarWar:Â A state of armed conflict between different nations or states or different groups within a nation or state.
- WarfareWarfare:Â Engagement in or the activities involved in war or conflict.
- warriora fighter or soldier, especially one in former times, who was brave and experienced in fighting; a person engaged in warfare More
- WiccansPlural for Wicca - a modern, nature-based pagan religion emphasizing reverence for nature, the divine, and ethical conduct. Wiccans often practice rituals of magic to celebrate seasonal festivals like the solstices and the equinoxes, while focusing on personal responsibility and harmony with the natural world. More
- widowa woman whose husband has died More
- willa document stating how a person wants real and personal property divided after death More
- witchcraftThe use of magic to inflict supernatural harm or misfortune on others More
- withensan archaic English word meaning willow, so a withen tree is a willow tree; withens would be a standing group of willow trees
- worldviewpeople are enculturated in different ways, depending upon their everyday life experiences, to picture a certain reality of how the world works; a worldview is based on shared assumptions and principles defining, categorizing and explaining physical objects and living things More
- wrecking ball or "wrecking ball"
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- Xela AidHere you'll find information about LocalHope, also known for more than two decades in Guatemala as Xela AID (first word pronounced "Shay-luh"). Learn about how you may be able to partner to promote self reliance in villages in the highlands of Guatemala as part of a model for sustainable community development worldwide.
- Xylophagea wood-eating insect
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