Jigsaw puzzle by Nina Torr
Buy online

Tag: anthropology

The Spirit of the Gift
Soul + Body
Wellbeing

The Spirit of the Gift

Gifts release social energy. They are the opposite of commodities, which are bought or sold and do not help create communities. Rather, the gift strengthens bonds, builds trust, builds community.
Maciej Świetlik
Sacred Returns
World + People
Dreams and Visions

Sacred Returns

Scholar of religion Mircea Eliade observed that myths help similar customs and behaviors to develop in both religious and secularized societies.
Tomasz Wiśniewski
Where Does War Come From?
World + People
Science

Where Does War Come From?

Conflict is usually attributed to disputes over land and resources, inherent aggressive tendencies, or gender. Yet perhaps none of the above provide an adequate explanation.
Tomasz Wiśniewski
Making Sense of Dreams
Art + Stories
Experiences

Making Sense of Dreams

Dreaming is not simply a biological activity that usually takes place during the night—it can play an important role in one’s waking life, too.
Ewa Pluta
Inhuman Slaughter
Art + Stories
Experiences

Inhuman Slaughter

History suggests that, in order to kill, people must reject their natural reflexes—often by taking on an animalistic identity.
Tomasz Wiśniewski
Is War Natural?
Art + Stories
Experiences

Is War Natural?

While some scholars suggest that war is an innate, biological phenomenon, others argue that it is rooted in social and cultural factors.
Tomasz Wiśniewski
The Origins of Immortality
Soul + Body
Good Mood

The Origins of Immortality

The archaeology of prehistoric burial sites suggests a number of interesting aspects to the belief in life after death.
Tomasz Wiśniewski
Deadly Spells
Art + Stories
Experiences

Deadly Spells

In some of Australia and New Zealand’s Indigenous communities, shamans are able to successfully will death on others – as long as the target believes in such ‘spells’.
Tomasz Wiśniewski
In Death There Is Also Life
World + People
Dreams and Visions

In Death There Is Also Life

Philosopher and anthropologist of science Vinciane Despret talks about the phenomenon of death midwives, and how we can cultivate a different approach to grief.
Paulina Małochleb
A Drinking Deer
Soul + Body
The Four Elements

A Drinking Deer

From natural springs flow a sort of mysticism; a keen mixture of their purity and rumoured life-giving properties. Where do such tales come from?
Monika Kucia