Week 4: Politics & Violence

1. In the Yanomamo culture, killing is much more normalized as an act named blood revenge is one of the most common causes of violence. Yanomamo culture differs from Western cultures due to the fact that when conflict arises many lead to death. In addition to this violence, death or murder in Yanomamo culture is often followed by more death in an act of revenge which is the consequence of this killing. In Western Culture, the consequences for murder include life in prison or the death penalty.  

2. Revenge killings occur following a death, the kinsmen who were close to the victim conduct a raid on the community of the killer. Raiding parties consist of 10 to 20 men, some men participate in these raids, but not all men. Usually the village they plan on raiding can be 4 or 5 days of travel away which can lead to a number of obstacles. The victims of the raids are relatively small, usually one or two. The night prior to the raid the kinsmen make an effigy (no owa) planning for who they choose to kill. However, usually the one killed is the first man the group sees. At dawn, almost all the men begin shooting arrows at the victim and then retreat. Once they return every man who shot an arrow must participate in a purification ritual named unokaimou. 

3. The term unokais means those who have killed. The benefit of obtaining this status is the ritual that takes place called unokaimou which is a purification process to keep away any harm that may come supernaturally by the soul of the victim. A benefit of non-unokais is the fact that their soul does not need to be purified and they do not have to participate in this ritual. One may become an unokais to gain status, or seek revenge for the killing of a close friend. 

4. Identify and describe the relationship between revenge killings and these aspects of the Yanomamo culture. How do they influence and affect each other?

1. Political structure: Revenge killings can reinforce power within the culture, giving strength to certain individuals or groups. 

2. Social Status/Social Organization: When one gains the title of unokais this can increase an individual's social status. Therefore, revenge killings can resurface social status as some seem superior to others due to their action of killing. 

3. Kinship: Revenge killings can often strengthen kinship due to the fact that it occurs due to the fact that one's kinsman was killed. These killings happen to avenge a family member who is no longer here. 

4. Marriage & Reproduction: Revenge killings can negatively affect marriage and reproduction rates as potential mates may be killed. 

5. Laws are important as they set an expectation of behavior that is inappropriate vs. appropriate. After reading this article it is apparent to me that a lack of laws in these villages made certain behaviors like murder, normal. In our society where expectations are set and laws are enforced, murder is brutal, horrifying and has a serious consequence. Even though these acts are some that no one should want to do, laws can help deter those who may be tempted to commit such horrid acts. 

Week 3 Blog Post: Language

 Part 1:  You were asked to engage in a conversation for 15 minutes where you were not allowed to use any version of a symbolic language (no speaking, writing, or ASL).

• From my perspective I found it to be pretty difficult to communicate without any version of a symbolic language. I performed this experiment with my boyfriend who found it odd that I was not speaking. I am usually a very big talker so it was pretty out of the ordinary. My boyfriend was shocked, and honestly it was pretty hard for me to keep quiet. 

• I would say when one person is not speaking and one is, the “power” is possessed by the speaker. I say this due to the fact that they have the ability to continue the conversation. For the non-speaker it is harder to start a new topic or change the discussion, therefore the power is held by the speaker. 

• I feel as if our conversation represented two different cultures meeting for the first time, it would be apparent that one culture is the more dominant. As far as who has the advantage in the conversation, I think it depends on the understanding the other culture has on their language. Obviously in our experiment I understood what was being said to me, however my form of communication wasn’t always easily understandable. The non-speaking culture may have their own form of communication using signals understood by only them. Therefore, if the spoken language is understood by the other culture I would think the non-verbal culture has the advantage in communicating within their culture. Nevertheless, I think that the speaking culture may have some attitude toward the non-speaking culture as they may feel superior to them. In current times there are many who are non-verbal, or deaf who use American Sign Language. Personally, I work with a lot of children who are non-verbal, and their experiences mirrored a lot of how I felt my conversation was lacking. Working with these individuals we do often try to use ASL, however in this experiment we were prohibited. Making communicating that much harder this also mirrors my experience as I felt less power, I often feel as the kids may feel like this too as they struggle to effectively communicate their emotions and needs. 

Part 2:  You were asked to spend 15 minutes communicating without any physical embellishments, i.e., no hand signals, not vocal intonation, not head, facial, or body movements.

• For me, the difficult part of this experiment wasn't talking, it was making sure I wasn’t using any facial expressions and hand signals. When reviewing the experiment I assumed part 2 would be easier for me, however I found this task to be quite difficult. I had a few slip-ups within the 15 minutes, by accidentally using my facial expressions or a quick hand motion. Keeping my body completely still while in conversations was very tricky for me as I often tap my toe, twiddle my thumbs, and do other normal movements. The process of eliminating that normality for 15 minutes in a conversation proved to be rather difficult. 

• After completing the experiment I made sure to reflect with my boyfriend on how this type of communication made him feel. He said the conversation felt bland, and seemed to be missing a major component of what a normal conversation has. He said that engaging with me felt boring, and it made him feel off as our usual conversations don’t feel like that. 

• This experiment proved to not only me but my boyfriend the importance of non-speech language. When that type of communication was eliminated, the conversation felt lacking, bland, and abnormal. When our body language does not match our spoken language I think that could be confusing and draw the focus from the conversation. This goes to show that one of the functions of body language is how non-verbal communication can be effective in expressing emotions and opinions. 

• I would say there are most definitely individuals who have a difficult time reading body language and in general social cues. I would say a benefit of not being able to read body language would include being more focused on the conversation, instead of letting your mind wonder what a simple hand motion or head tilt may mean. I also think it would make the individual's mind more at ease, in tough conversations like job interviews as their main focus is the verbal language and not the physical embellishments. 

Part 3:  There is a third component of language which we did not test in this experiment, and that is the importance of written language.

• I think that using written language would have made part 1 of the experiment much easier. I think using written language would've helped with the flow of the conversation and given me some of the “power” that I felt like the speaker had in part 1 of the conversation. 

• One advantage written language provides to a culture that uses it is preservation and accessibility. Written language allows a culture to keep records of their conversations as it can be stored and remembered. It also allows for accessibility for non-verbal communication to occur with many, regardless of their language. If it is taught and developed, this form of communication can help a culture spread knowledge. 

• Written language has had a huge positive impact on globalization as it allowed for communication across the world. Written forms of communication such as letters allowed for one country to express and convey ideas to another. This helped spread ideas worldwide, therefore having a positive impact on globalization.

Week 2 Blog Post: Environmental Adaptations

Homeostasis is the bodies ability to remain in a stable state or condition. It can be described as a specific state that our body functions best at. Conditions like those that the Zulu and Andean Indian populations experience can take the body out of homeostasis. It is important to find a way to adapt to these challenges and return the body to a stable state, below we will take a look into how homeostasis can be found through adaptation. 

Tribe A: Zulu-

Environment: The Zulu tribe is located in the KwaZulu-Natal region of modern South Africa. The temperature ranges, with the coldest months being the middle of the year. The mean temperature for April through September are in the low to mid 60s. A season of rain begins usually around November and goes until February. The hottest months occur from October to May with December-February being their summer months. As far as climate variation, I would say there aren't too many distinct seasons however, the temperatures do rise and fall (“Climate & Weather Averages in Zululand, South Africa”) Conditions that may cause stress include cold or hot temperatures, as well as heavy rainfall this can lead to the body to move out of homeostasis. 

Physical Adaptation: Due to their location and its proximity to the equator the Zulu population experience lots of sunlight. A physical adaptation that occurs due to this exposure to sunlight is darker skin tones by UV radiation. Due to the extreme heat they attempt to remain as cool as they can, this is present through their clothing. They tend to wear less clothing further exposing their skin to UV radiation (Tod et al.). Attempting to remain cool in a climate of extreme heat can help the population maintain homeostasis, but a bad sunburn can take the body out of homeostasis. 

Cultural Adaptation:  One cultural adaptation of the Zulu population includes stick fighting which for the Zulu people is a traditional way to settle disputes, mark one's dominance and occasionally to impress the family of a potential bride. Zulu stick fighting is a part of their history and is very important to the culture. It has been passed down through generations, marking its importance as most boys begin preparing and training for this as children (Administrator). Zulu stick fighting is a signature for the people, that is why I label it as a major cultural adaptation. This may be an activity that helps this population maintain homeostasis as they continue a cultural tradition. 

Race: If I was to choose one race to describe the Zulu population I would describe them as Black African. Using the term black can be very broad, as a race I would identify them to be black however, they do originate in the country of Africa. Therefore, the best description I have as far as race for the Zulu Population would be Black African (“Zulu - Introduction, Location, Language, Folklore, Religion, Major Holidays, Rites of Passage”). 

Tribe B: Andean Indians-

Environment: The Andean Indians live in a high altitude environment. This can make everyday tasks more difficult due to the shortage of oxygen. The climate is very cold which can lead to challenges like plants freezing and less access to water. The high altitude will cause lots of stress on the body, making it hard to survive in conditions where oxygen is limited. This can result in the body not beginning to maintain homeostasis. 

Physical Adaptation: One physical adaptation for the Andean Indians is their high altitude which makes the people adapt to lower levels of oxygen. Recent studies indicate that Andean Indians have larger lung volumes to account for the high altitude. There is also reason to believe that genetic adaptation has occurred making it easier for Andean Indians to live in these conditions (Julian and Moore). This type of physical adaptation helps maintain homeostasis as it can help reduce stress if it is easier for them to breathe. 

Cultural Adaptation: Cultural adaptation of the Andean Indians include how they have adapted agriculturally. Through the use of newer technology and learning how to maintain crops in a higher altitude climate (“Andean Agriculture| Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems | Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations”).  This adaptation is important to the culture as it helps the strive as a whole. This adaptation can help them maintain homeostasis as they are able to be successful in agriculture which may lead to the feeling of securement in that area, reducing stress. 

Race: Following information I gathered on the Andean Indians, describing them into a category of one race was difficult. I learned they came from a vast number of different locations and were very diverse (“Central Andean Indians”). If I were to choose one race that best fit a description of the Andean Indian population I would use Indigenous. 

Summary-Adaptation vs. Race: 

When reflecting on physical and cultural adaptation vs. race I think the proper way to describe a culture would be using summary-adaptation. I think describing a culture based on appearance alone can be harmful, but explaining their traditions and how they adapt to their climate can help someone understand the population and what they value. I think that summary-adaptation has more explanatory power as it allows for understanding and for people to ask questions. Whereas using race as a description is minimal information to what the culture is all about. For anthropologists I think they would agree it would be best to use a summary-adaptation approach to explaining populations. 

Works Cited 

“Climate & Weather Averages in Zululand, South Africa.” Timeanddate.com, 2025, www.timeanddate.com/weather/@936676/climate.

Tod, Bianca, et al. “Integrated Sun Protection Advice for the South African Population.” International Journal of Dermatology, 20 Dec. 2023, https://doi.org/10.1111/ijd.16980. 

Administrator. “Zulu Stick Fighting - Traipsing Africas Safari and Tours.” Traipsing Africas Safari and Tours, 20 June 2025, traipsingafrica.com/zulu-stick-fighting/.  Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.

“Zulu - Introduction, Location, Language, Folklore, Religion, Major Holidays, Rites of Passage.” Www.everyculture.com,  www.everyculture.com/wc/Rwanda-to-Syria/Zulu.html#google_vignette. 

Julian, Colleen G., and Lorna G. Moore. “Human Genetic Adaptation to High Altitude: Evidence from the Andes.” Genes, vol. 10, no. 2, 15 Feb. 2019, p. 150, www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/10/2/150, https://doi.org/10.3390/genes10020150. 

“Andean Agriculture| Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems | Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.” GIAHS, 2024, www.fao.org/giahs/giahs-around-the-world/peru-andean-agriculture/en. 

“Central Andean Indians.” Britannica Kids, kids.britannica.com/students/article/Central-Andean-Indians/480490. 

Cultural Descriptions: Madison Cruz

Devoted: I chose devoted to describe this society due to the ideologies they uphold. They preform rituals and practices that are seen as the only well to achieve health and well-being. As a society these practices are so upheld that the Nacirema people are very devoted to their cause. This devotion arises from the culture enforcing this belief that these rituals are vital. 

Ritualistic: I think the word to describe the people of Nacirema is ritualistic. The reading discusses all of their practices and what they find important within their society. One that got my attention is when they discuss their idea of how the human body is ugly and how it naturally prone to decay and disease. It is also stated that most of the peoples time is devoted to ritualistic activities, further supporting the description. 

Elaborate: Certain aspects of the Nacirema culture can be seen as obsessive or elaborate. I often found myself confused by some of their ideals and rituals. I think that when stepping back and looking at a complete overview of the society as a whole, it is very elaborate. Feels like there is disconnect between the society and "the real world". 

Passionate: I think the people of Nacirema are very passionate about what they believe and this is shown through their constant commitment to their ideals. When discussing the body rituals preformed it is stated that "Every household has one or more shrines dedicated to this purpose" (Miner). I think this shows their passion as a whole, considering that every household participates. 

Patriarchal: When reading about this society I noticed lots of strange statements to describe them. One that really caught my eye is when it describes how female and male clients are treated as they enter the temple. It states that the women in their vulnerability find themselves subject to "manipulation" and "prodding" from the medicine men. This paragraph lead me to choose the adjective patriarchal as a reader I felt this society is driven by status. I often felt while I was reading that the women were not equal to the men. 

Part B: 

1. As an American, I feel like the words used don't all apply to our culture. I feel like I chose pretty good words that if reviewed can apply to our ideals however, the only one I don't think describe at least the culture I have experiences is ritualistic. As an "insider" after reading what an "outsider" is saying I think I should take a step back and look at our culture from their point of view. I often found myself trying to understand the practices explained therefore, I felt like a little bit of an outsider myself. 
2. I think my words as well as the description I wrote do reveal judgement. In regards to bias I think the words ritualistic and patriarchal reveal bias as I view them as more strongly opinionated. Whereas the words devoted, passionate, and elaborate I feel could be used to express many cultures therefore making them free of bias. 
3. After reading I did feel shock and disbelief, which I already think is a telling sign that something may not be as it fully states. To avoid falling into the trap of bias, I usually take a step back and think is this "too good to be true" or in this case to shocking to believe. I can avoid inserting bias in my writing by keeping personal opinions to a minimum and ensuring that what I am writing can appeal to everyone. 
4. In reflection, I think we must be accepting of all cultures and it is important to avoid claims of judgement. In my future I plan to work with children, and I feel like the words I choose to use are so important, therefore this experience has been very eye opening to me to show that I may need some improvement in that area. It is important to describe every culture in an accepting and open way and leave out all personal bias. Especially when communicating to someone who may be unfamiliar with that culture, allowing them to get the information and form their own opinion is vital. I think avoiding personal bias is possible, especially as a Cultural Anthropologist cause just like me if you are passionate about what you are doing, your habits and word choices will change.