anthropology
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Throughout human history, people have had the desire to alter their states of consciousness. The motivations for such an alteration can be spiritual, religious, or even secular. As an anthropologist examining religion, the key factor in examining altered states of consciousness through ethnographic fieldwork or other historical and modern examples is to suspend personal judgment.…
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The anthropology of religion has interested me since I was introduced to the subject at San Jose State University in 2011. I have put together a free recommended reading list featuring some of my favorite books on religion, ritual, myth, symbolism, and culture. I hope it provides a useful starting point for anyone interested in…
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Alan Dundes was a prolific writer and a folklorist. I first heard about his work when I completed an anthropology of religion course during my undergraduate years. One of his works that I found both comical and interesting was Sometimes the Dragon Wins: Yet More Urban Folklore from the Paperwork Empire (Dundes & Pagter, 1996).…
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“Every religion in the world has syncretism,” said my professor of Anthropology of Religion many years ago. Examining religion through the lens of anthropology and historical analysis can reveal the phenomenon of syncretism. The phenomenon of syncretism among religious believers warrants examination. First, I will be using Merriam-Webster’s definition of syncretism as “the combination of…
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The Lynx has intrigued me for a long time. It most likely started in my childhood. My favorite video game, Chrono Cross, featured an anthropomorphic character named “Lynx”. Lynx was a powerful, albeit misunderstood figure from that video game. I learned later in my adult life that various people groups across different geographic areas venerated…
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Life is what you make of it, right? This is a common saying that rings true for many people. In anthropology, different people give symbols different meanings in various historical contexts. The swastika used by the Nazi part is an example of this. Most are familiar with the usage of the swastika by the Nazis…
