BaMbuti Pygmies of the Ituri Forest in Congo Africa

BaMbuti Pygmies of the Ituri Forest in Congo Africa Larry W Ratliff 04/15/05 I have broken this up into sections with some of the topics overlapping others. The book was pleasant to read, I just wish I had taken the time to make notes as I read. At the time I felt it would be easy to go back over the material for the ISC. . SUSTINANCE: The BaMbuti are hunter gatherers at the time of Turnbull's writing. They had been trading with the Negroe villagers meat for plantation products, but for the most part they got what they needed from the jungle. "The forest is their world and in exchange for their affection and trust it supplies them with all they need (Turnbull, 14)." They know which roots to eat and which vines to follow to these roots. They know when the rain will provide the best mushrooms to eat. The villagers, they do not see these, they walk on past them. They hunt for meat with nets that the mother may have given her son upon his marriage, and that he or his wife must now maintain. Some use spears, and others use a bow and arrow with a poison tip. Once the animal is chased and caught in the net the spear or a knife id used to quickly dispatch the animal. They hunt these animals in groups in which there may be several layers of family involved. This is why it is important in other areas to get along and make these socio-political marital ties so that there

  • Word count: 1623
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Social studies
Access this essay

Discuss the 'four elements' of hip hop. In what ways can they be said to constitute epistemologies?

Discuss the 'four elements' of hip hop. In what ways can they be said to constitute epistemologies? Hip hop is the term for urban-based creativity and expression of culture. Since its beginning in the early seventies hip hop has been more than just a genre of music that people most commonly associate it with. Hip hop is a street culture with elements that promote self expression and participation. Hip-hop's four elements include; deejaying, break dancing, graffiti and emceeing (what was originally known as emcee, is today known as rap). The motivations behind the creation of this culture are reflected through the nature of these elements. Hip hop began to take a hold over black youths in America so all the elements are unintentionally performed in a way to reflect a culture of rebellion and independence. These four elements are a reflection upon the environments that the people who have adopted the form are surrounded by. By using not only stories and statements for graffiti and rapping but also performance techniques like break dancing and deejaying they present a sound and style to identify with and a voice to be heard. The hip hop world began in the Bronx in 1971. The founder of hip-hop was rapper and first break-beat deejay Kool Herc. Soon after, Grandmaster Flash invented scratching; spinning a record back and forth creating a scratching sound. These innovations

  • Word count: 2275
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Social studies
Access this essay

Read this statement carefully:

Read this statement carefully: ...By the word reading, we mean not only the capacity to identify and decode a certain number of signs, but also the ... capacity to put them in a creative relation between themselves and other signs (Hall, S. in During, S. (ed) 1993: 99). How can we understand this statement in reference to your choice of media text in reference to organising category? Pay particular attention to approaches to representation, reading protocols, audience address, techniques of narration, implied/resisting reader. Your essay should synthesise theoretical explanations and textual analysis. To understand how signs convey meanings of a particular text, it is important to study the theoretical approach to representation and understand how media texts might be said to 'work' in forms of representation. In this essay, I will examine the chosen media text and explain how it 'works' in relation to the question, along with an analysis of the connections between texts, reading protocols and meanings interpreted. The media text chosen from a men's magazine, NewMan, was an interview on actress-model, Jaymee Ong. With scanty, sexy dressing and posing close to nudity, it is certainly inviting for men - one of the audiences addressed. Women could also be the audience although the majority readers would be men. I will now explain the quotation and elaborate on its

  • Word count: 1458
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Social studies
Access this essay

Things Fall Apart provides a rich introduction into traditional Ibo culture and values. Present an account of the way of the life featured in Part 1 of the novel.

Things Fall Apart provides a rich introduction into traditional Ibo culture and values. Present an account of the way of the life featured in Part 1 of the novel. There is no standard definition of culture however many people consider culture to be referred to as the `system of shared beliefs, values, customs that members of society use to cope with their world and with another, and these beliefs are carried from generation to generation through learning'1. These include; family and clan relations, the way in which the people dress, prepare food. The ceremonies and rituals that are held in there society. The social status of their people, and also political and religious practices. These are the things that Achebe has discussed throughout the novel allowing the reader to understand the African way of life. Achebe has not only discussed the richness and fairness of the Ibo culture but also did not hide away the injustices that arise in their culture. Culture can also be referred to as 'the relationships of other cultures'. This is clearly seen in Things Fall Apart when Achebe shows a contrast between the Ibo culture and the European culture and how these cultures blend together when the white men come as missionaries and try to communicate and live with the Africans. This would be discussed in greater detail during this account. Firstly, let us consider the term 'evil.'

  • Word count: 1717
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Social studies
Access this essay

My interpretations of the Wizard of Oz

Children's Literature Mid-term Essay Student Id : 193640462 Submitted by ??? Date: 2004/11/11 Topic: My interpretations of the Wizard of Oz "The Wizard of Oz" is a popular Children's Literature in the world. After reading various of interpretation theories in internet. For example, Parable on Populism of Littlefield, Henry , Analogy between the Yellow Brick Road and the Information Superhighway of Gandy, Oscar , The Wizard of Oz as a Secular Myth of Nathanson, Paul and Salman Rushdie's Theories of Oz and so on. Actually, there are huge difference thoughts between these scholars, most of them are more than ostensible story beyond The wizard of Oz itself. Take for example, Rushdie rejects the conventional view that its fantasy of escape from reality ends with a comforting return to home, sweet home. On the contrary, Rushdie think it is a film which speaks to the exile. The Wizard of Oz shows that imagination can become reality, that there is no such place as home, or rather that the only home is the one we make for ourselves." Being a grown-ups of both non-native speakers of English and non-western culture, I hold the different view on the story itself. Backing from my first impression of knowing the Wizard of Oz is when I was 10 years old elementary kid. The most attracting part is the interesting characters scarecrow, tin-man and cowardly lion but except for

  • Word count: 800
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Social studies
Access this essay

"How are Culture and Economics related? Discuss in terms of Australia."

"How are Culture and Economics related? Discuss in terms of Australia." Culture and economics are two of the major fabrics of society, not only in Australia, but throughout the world. Without culture, there would be no distinctions between the peoples of one country and the peoples of another. Without the study of economics, this culture could not be continued. Hence, culture and economics are integral and inter-related parts of any society. There are many ways to define culture and economics, just as there are many ways to relate culture and economics to one another. Economics is "the study of how decisions are made, or should be made, by individuals, groups and governments about the use of resources and the distribution of goods and services that are obtained from those resources," (Bennett, 1993, p.4). From its origins as a convict settlement, Australia's economy has grown to be one of the strongest in the world. "With its abundant physical resources, Australia has enjoyed a high standard of living since the nineteenth century. It has made a comparatively large investment in social infrastructure, including education, training, health and transport," (Australian Government, Department of Affairs and Trade, 2004). The 'high standard of living', including many cultural aspects (such as health, education, employment and tourism) that Australians have enjoyed since the

  • Word count: 2061
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Social studies
Access this essay

Effects on economy due to a food outlet

Canuck Burgers is a food industrial corporation targeted to expanding their franchise around the world. One of the many targeted cities is Jaipur, India. Angels R Us, the London-based NGO has extended a research to seek out the negative aspects of Canuck Burgers opening a food facility in Jaipur, India. Taking the economy, environment, culture and religion into consideration, this research will convey reasons why Canuck burgers should not expand to Jaipur and why the community would not benefit from the expansion as well. Opening up a food facility in Jaipur can have potentially negative aspects on the profit margin for Canuck Burgers. The first aspect of negativity to consider is the economy of the location. According to the research completed, Jaipur is one of the poorest destinations in India with low per capita income. It is not densely populated and the literacy rate is low, especially amongst women. Although their economy is well established, it is largely dependent on weak factors such as tourism and mining. Its economy has been affected a lot over the years due to terrorist attacks from neighbouring cities. Economic afflictions and discernment of gross social prejudice have given a rise to ideological terrorist groups. Factors such as, rural unemployment, the absence of land developments, and mistreatment of landless labourers by land owners, etc. were the reasons for

  • Word count: 1770
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Social studies
Access this essay

A brief look into the changes in China from the late Qing period to the rise of nationalistic China.

A BRIEF LOOK INTO THE CHANGES IN CHINA FROM THE LATE QING PERIOD TO THE RISE OF NATIONALISTIC CHINA A BRIEF LOOK INTO THE CHANGES IN CHINA FROM THE LATE QING PERIOD TO THE RISE OF NATIONALISTIC CHINA Being a Chinese descendant living in South East Asia, China as a nation has always fascinated me. Even though I feel I have been assimilated into the local culture of my country, I still feel a special bond with China which in my opinion is also shared by a great number of other overseas Chinese. Conscious of this special feeling, I have wondered how the Chinese came to have a common identity and to think of themselves as one people, one race and one culture. To satisfy my curiosity, I am taking the East Asia Civilization course and indeed it has given me a deeper understanding and appreciation for my roots and culture. I am greatly interested in everything that class has taught me, but nothing stirs as much passion in me as the part about Western dominance over China and the Chinese struggle to form a modern nation. It was the period of her greatest humiliation and her reborn as a nationalistic nation, more conscious of her identity in the world than any other periods in her long history. From the ancient times to the present, Chinese have always called their country Zhong Guo or The Middle Kingdom. This reflected their thinking of China as the sole civilization unequaled

  • Word count: 2513
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Social studies
Access this essay

In writing "Ah Mah", Shirley Lim has drawn upon her Chinese background to reveal to us how powerfully a culture shapes the ideals and life of its society as an entity and the individuals, be it familial or the single persons.

Title: In writing "Ah Mah", Shirley Lim has drawn upon her Chinese background to reveal to us how powerfully a culture shapes the ideals and life of its society as an entity and the individuals, be it familial or the single persons. The idea is borne out in the poem's contrast between the treatment of men and women and the disparity that exists. The theme is conveyed through the rich use of imagery and symbolism steeped in cultural connotations. "Ah Mah" introduces its subject and begins to develop its theme through the title and the first stanza. The title refers to a woman, usually the mother of one's father, that is more frequently used by Chinese of Fujian and Cantonese descent. This reference to the Chinese culture is repeated throughout the whole poem. In effect, the poet's use of these cultural references invites one to delve beneath the superficial in order to understand what it means to be born a woman, in a culture which not only enchained her within the bounds of the patriarchal household but also debilitating customs exerted through societal pressure. In the first stanza, the grandmother's stature is compared to a child of eight. As a child symbolizes weakness and helplessness, the poet has liken her grandmother to the same vulnerable state. By posing a question in the second line, one is invited to contemplate the sort of life the old lady might have led,

  • Word count: 1361
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Social studies
Access this essay

How Do Studies of Organisational Cultures Help Us In Understanding the Dynamics of Working Life?

HOW DO STUDIES OF ORGANISATIONAL CULTURES HELP US IN UNDERSTANDING THE DYNAMICS OF WORKING LIFE? Organisational culture is a company's own unique systems of values and beliefs, most often unconsciously created from the values of the top management or founders of the organisation. Schwarz and Davis (1981:33) described it as "a pattern of beliefs and expectations shared by the organisation's members". This essay will look at the different perspectives looking at organisational cultures and determine how they help us to understand working life. Edgar Schein's approach to culture is a widely accepted view. He suggested that culture was not the actual beliefs, values, behaviour patterns and artefacts but the assumptions behind them. He proposed a three levelled structure to describe culture, each level relating to the extent of individuals visibility and accessibility to them. Surface manifestations of culture are at the top. These are not the culture itself, but the visible evidence of it. This is in the form of artefacts, which are visual and superficial mechanisms of the organisations culture. They are found in the physical and socially constructed environment of an organisation. One form of artefacts is material objects. These can provide an insight into a company's culture, as they are the result of it. For example, Apple use the logo of an apple which ahs been bitten

  • Word count: 1316
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Social studies
Access this essay