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Ethnoscience and Symbolic Anthropology

While many anthropologists in the early postwar years, especially in Britain, rejected attempts to turn anthropology into an accurate science, others went in the opposite direction. This was not only the case with the American cultural ecologists and the British methodological individualists, but also –perhaps surprisingly – with people working within the broad framework of American linguistic anthropology. Several of Sapir’s successors explored semantics and language structures in traditional societies in an accurate way. Some of these devised quantitative methods tailored to measure frequencies and connections between native terms, and worked closely with psychologists, linguists and others engaged in the emerging interdisciplinary field of cognitive science. Among the foremost of these were Harold Conklin, Charles Frake and Ward Goodenough, who all contributed to the development of ethnoscience in the 1950s.

Ethnoscience was concerned with describing ‘cultural grammars’, through identifying the building-blocks of semantic universes or systems of knowledge. They drew on both the culture and personality 100 A History of Anthropology school’s interest in socialisation, on formal linguistics and on the comparative study of classification, where both Sapir and Whorf (and, before them, Durkheim and Mauss) had done ground-breaking work. In its most technical form, ethnoscience appeared as componential analysis, which combined linguistic anthropology and quantitative methods with the general 1950s concern with kinship. In its original form, ethnoscience died out some time during the 1960s, but the general issues it raised have been pursued later in cognitive anthropology (see D’Andrade 1995; Shore 1996). Regardless of methodology, they largely concern the relationship between the universal and the culturally specific in human knowledge systems. Colour classification was an early,
and relatively simple field, which was explored in this way. There were also interesting parallels between the concerns of ethnoscience and the emerging rationality debate in Britain on the one hand, and the concerns of Lévi-Straussian structuralism on the other hand. However, unlike both Winch and Lévi-Strauss, the ethnoscientists worked inductively, amassing huge amounts of data which were processed by the massive, sluggish computers of the day.

Choosing The Right Sleeping Bag For Camping

Me with my new Sleeping Bag 

Sleeping bags are very important for a camper. This is where they can spend the night during their camping period. This is also where they can rest comfortably without being too exposed to the outdoor elements. This can also be a carrying bag when one is traveling. This is like carrying a tent in a bag. It is very convenient, easy to transport and useful. No camper should be without this equipment. However, it is important for a camper to choose the right sleeping tent to purchase. This is to make sure that they will be able to sleep comfortably even while they are in the outdoors. Here are some tips so that you will land on the right decision on which sleeping bag to purchase and use.

First of all, you must consider its weight. Keep in mind that you will be carrying too many stuffs and equipments. And you cannot afford to add more weight to your things. Choose a sleeping bag that is light weight and easy to carry. It should be comfortable and convenient to bring along. Another thing to think about is how much tolerance it can have with different temperatures. Some people would want to camp in mountains that are too cold. It is important that your sleeping bag can withstand cold and heat which will be helpful in protecting the camper from any bad weather.

The size will also be a factor to consider. If you are a tall person, then you cannot fit in a small sleeping bag. Make sure that you check on the size right away before purchasing it or you will be facing a big dilemma. Sleeping bags are present to make you feel comfortable while sleeping even when you are in the outdoors. If the bag does not fit your size, then you will not have a comfortable time sleeping. And lastly, make sure that the sleeping bag is water resistant. You would not want to sleep on a bed that is soaking with water, right? So, ask the store if it can resist water so that you will remain dry and comfortable while sleeping in the outdoors.

This can be crucial to the life of a camper. If they have purchased and used an incorrect choice, their camping experience will be affected. So, making the right choice should always be practiced. You should only buy your sleeping bags from known stores. Also, choose one that has a good and reputable brand. With this, you will never regret ever buying one. One of the known and well trusted brands is the Black Wolf sleeping bags. These are more preferred by many campers as they are giving them the best quality of products which campers can be able to make use of for a very long time. Known brands are more trustworthy as these are the ones often used by many campers around.


Dangdut Music Hysteria

Dangdut's Dance Hysteria
The live Dangdut music rhythms make the singers and crowd of audience excited alike, so watch for unique Dangdut shows that mixes Belly Dance hip dance with sexual tease dance and excitement, sometimes the tease is really light and too sweet, sometimes Hot Dangdut turns the heat up and the tease gets more hot, so you see a switch from a happy song with happy crowd to hear the voice of the singer; moaning mixed up with the song, and that apply to the dance with more sexual tease gestures and dance movements, it seems that Dangdut music can be real cool, but be aware, it can turn on the heat and become real hot too, this is the main reason lots of people are turned away from this beautiful music, in fact the music itself is wonderful but Hot Dangdut dance is too hot for some so they prefer to stay away of it, but the Dangdut stays the most popular music in Indonesia, it is only a matter of time now, sooner or later, Dangdut music will conquer the whole world.

Dangdut is a genre of Indonesian popular music that is partly derived from Malay, Arabic, and Hindustani music. It developed in the 1970s among working-class Muslim youth, but beginning in the late 1990s reached a broader following in lower class Indonesians, Malaysia, and the southern Philippines.

Dangdut is popular and Dangdut music has a big space for you, Dangdut lovers are from all ages, maybe the younger crowds are more excited about the Dangdut because this music got lots of life in it, lot of fire that can heat up your heart, listen to it and feel the energy crawling in your veins, full power Dangdut music is stronger than a Red Bull can, look at the people jumping, dancing excited, Hot Dangdut, is real hot and your source of daily energy.

Exsistence of Ludruk (East Java Traditional Drama Folk)

Ludruk artistry in Surabaya, East Java. At this time, as a result of cultural decline ludruk outside. Ludruk still can we encounter in the area of Surabaya, Mojokerto and Jombang. Ludruk is dramatics traditionally accompanied by gamelan instrument. Ludruk take setting the story of everyday life and legends of the people. Ludruk acceptable to all parties either never attended school or never attended school because it has the language straightforward. The main character from East Java who became ludruk legend is Cak Durasim.

In the past the majority of Ludruk played by male players that can become two sides. Male players can also play into women's player. Now this existence in Surabaya ludruk consists of two communities namely ludruk at RRI (Radio Republik Indonesia) and Karya Budaya in THR (Taman Hiburan Rakyat) Surabaya. Regeneration was done a long time ago, that sublime culture cultural heritage still preserved. One way to regenerate is cross-generational and festival Ludruk for students. Ludruk have a function as education and the formation of character for a player or an audience.
Cross Generation of Ludruk 

The conditions for the less favored ludruk now by the community of East Java. Ludruk born first was born in the coastal region (Surabaya, Jombang, Mojokerto) in the community under which many displays of humor. Ludruk more like comedy shown in certain times for the lower classes. That's what led to the story in a more general story ludruk.

The Process of Painting The Body Before The ceremony

Initiation ceremony is a tradition in my University, Airlangga University, Surabaya (East Java). Every year we held an initiation to welcome new students and new families. Since 2003 I have always helped the process of initiation and often becomes a painter for the shaman who will lead the initiation.
Wild Motif


Detail painting process

Hindu Rituals in The Temples of Jolotundo (Seloliman-Mojokerto-East Java)

Hindu rituals in the temples of jolotundo, usually done on the day or evening. At a certain moment, done at night. Jolotundo Temple is a temple of the hindu period when jaya Jaya. This temple is associated with King Airlangga.The Jolotundo Temple in the old reports are sometimes called Jeluktondo is a sacred bathing place or baths. Bangunanini made entirely from stones, measuring 16,85 m X 13,52 m. aft the swimming attached on the Ridge with the way, such that it is taller than the building. From here it gets water shower-shower flows back into the pool.In the middle of the wall there are two-storey terrace overhanging into the middle of the pond on the left and right were also attached to the rear wall of the pool room. Booths this pool is surrounded by a wall, now lives in part and the packing is not regular anymore. On the terrace there is the central part of the climax of the first stone that serves as the fountain, stone supported by 16 conditioned relief. Already since the old stones sculptures reside partially, partly in the Museum Center.

Fresh water is always flowing
Pray after bath

Bad Weather by my Nokia E51 camera

With a mobile phone that has a camera, I tried photographing something that struck me as interesting. Including bad weather that hit the region twice this month Indonesia. The rain that accompanied the wind caused a lot of damage.


Weather comprising phenomenon that occurs in the Earth's atmosphere or a planet. The weather usually is an activity of this phenomenon within the next few days. Average weather with a longer period of time known as the climate. This aspect of the weather further researched by expert climatology for signs of climate change. Weather occurs due to different temperature and humidity from one place to another place. This difference can occur due to the angle of the Sun's warming differs from one place to another because of different latitudes of the Earth. The difference between the temperature of the air is high in the tropics and the polar regions can cause jet streams. The Earth's axis than Earth's orbit are tilted towards the Sun all year round weather makes a difference to sub tropical to polar regions. At the Earth's surface temperature normally ranges from 40 c.
Black Cloud

Black Cloud in front of my home stay

Uprooted Trees on The Road (Jrengik Road-Madura Island)