International Journal of Modern Anthropology

Sampling in populations for whole genome sequencing: how to capture diversity while ensuring representativeness?

2023-06-19T17:54:11+00:00

No Abstract

From Chalcolithic to Early Bronze Age: A view from Abu Hof Cave 22 (Israel)

2023-06-19T12:04:12+00:00

Archaeological cultural taxonomy is a practical necessity. It singles out more or less coherent patio-temporal entities and facilitates scholarly exchange and communication. However, these practical conventions tend to take an independent life of their own, and sometimes constrain creative research endeavors. It is well known that ―the name is not the thing‖. Archaeological cultural taxa are relatively flexible entities, not perfectly self-contained units. Despite this realization, change documented from one archaeological culture to the next is generally framed in term of ‗transition‘, a legacy of classic gradualism. This paper addresses the issues of change and the nature of the Chalcolithic/Early Bronze Age interface in the Southern Levant, from the vantage point of a small cave located in the Nahal Tillah valley in Northern Negev, Israel. Genomic and intra-site archaeological data suggest the situation to be a robust illustration of punctuated equilibrium, without evidence of continuity between the ending Chalcolithic and the emerging Early Bronze Age societies.

Lineal Megalithic Scripts found at Degollada de Facay, Fuerteventura (Canary Islands, Spain): A support of prehistoric megalithic Guanche Culture

2023-06-19T12:23:26+00:00

Lineal Megalithic Rock Scripts have been found by us: 1) associated to megaliths in Southern Iberia Dolmens at Alcalar Dolmen (Portimao, Portugal), Cumbres Mayores Dolmens (Huelva, Spain) and in a fallen menhir at Zalamea la Real (Huelva, Spain); 2) not associated to megaliths in rocks or stones sizing from a fist in size to 110 cm or more at Zalamea la Real (Huelva, Spain) and other Malaga coastal sites; 3) in widespread rocks and stones in all main Canary Islands; and 4) in an Algerian Sahara shelter (Ti-m Missaou, Ahaggar Mountains area). These lineal megalithic rock scripts are sometimes identical to those of Iberian-Tartessian signary or are admixed with them on rocks. Other authors have also found them in several parts of southern Europe and also in Canary Islands. Some of the signs are repeated and have for us a funeral and religious meaning on the basis of Mother Goddess neolithic/paleolithic religion and Basque Iberian correspondence. It is postulated that these scripts may be the origin of Iberian-Tartessian signary and/or that these widespread stones/rocks were written by people who were learning to write, in contrast to, for example, the defined Iberian scripts found both at Lanzarote and Fuerteventura (Canary Islands), sometimes admixed with them. In the present paper, we describe Lineal Megalithic Script on rock/stones at a pass (between a chain of volcans or “degollada”) on the way from Tefía to Tetir, close to Fuerteventura capital, Puerto del Rosario. These Lineal Megalithic Scirpts are postulated to be precursors of lineal writing of Berber, Iberian-Tartessian, Etruscan, Old Italian Languages, Minoan, Latin, Greek, and others like Runes, Grandeshnitsa and Vinca scripts.

Krobo girls and Dipo puberty rites of passage in the eastern region of Ghana

2023-06-19T12:28:39+00:00

Globalization, which seems to have broken all socio-cultural, and economic barriers, and the growing rate of societal awareness has no doubt challenged many African cultural rites such as female genital mutilation. Despite the fact that Dipo, a Krobo cultural puberty rite, has been criticised by many people, especially on the basis of its treatment of young girls, the Krobo have managed to sustain it due to its centrality to their culture as the ceremony is instituted to promote personal hygiene, home management, and morality. This paper, therefore, examines 35 girls between the ages of 12 to 20 comprising 21 initiates and 14 non-initiates from Odumase-Krobo in the Eastern Region of Ghana. The participants were engaged in one-on-one and focused group discussions. Using both primary and secondary data, which is augmented with a qualitative research methodology, this paper examines the perception of girls passing through the Dipo puberty rite. The study reveals two main findings; the belief that Dipo is traditionally ungodly and true Christians must not participate in such activities and the belief that Dipo is a cultural puberty rite of passage that is binding upon the Krobo. It is established that the observance of the Dipo rite in this modern era has attracted a number of criticisms based on the way and manner the rite is conducted, especially from the Christians in Ghana, which causes serious psychological distress among Krobo girls.

Modernity and changing family values in Nigeria: implications for effective parenting

2023-06-19T12:36:14+00:00

The family as a social institution has undergone changes occasioned by modernity; these changes have positive and negative implications. The family inculcates virtues, values, morals, ethics, and beliefs that define and shape the behaviours of members of society. Modernity is the vehicle that drives progress and development, yet it has brought changes that have altered family values and consequently hampered effective parenting in Nigeria. This paper focuses on the declining value system and its effect on parenting and society, as well as the overall outcome of the rising incidence of crime and insecurity in Nigeria. Primary and secondary data were sourced through indepth interviews, focused group discussions, journal articles, and books. Qualitative analysis was done and presented as narratives. Findings revealed that changing value systems impact family time and relationships. Industrialization and improvements in information and communication technology resulting from modernization have impacts on parenting. The effects have spilled over to the larger society and informed the moral decay and insecurity that have bedevilled Nigeria. The paper recommends the redefinition and reactivation of the value system through the family to restore eroding family values in Nigeria.

Tartessos and Atlantic Mediterranean Euro-Africa: Metals, Dolmens and Basque-Iberian origins

2023-06-19T12:59:57+00:00

Tartessos culture is placed in a wide area in southern Portugal and Spain after archeological and documental studies. Its placement is concordant with that of West Euromediterranean ancient Megaliths, which were constructed at the Bronze Age (5000 year BC or before at Alcalar Dolmen (Portimao, Portugal), where Palelolithic arrows are found. These Megaliths construction and the people that built them up may be related to the metal richness of the core Tartessian Area: The Iberian Pyrite Belt which is rich in gold, silver, copper, iron, and others within this territory. Prehistoric documents place this area around Huelva, Cadiz (Spain) and South Portugal. Age of Tartessos may be older than established (centuries BC): Strabo said that Tartessians wrote 6000 years before. Indeed, we have found Megalithic Linear Scripts in a Megalith context (or not) in Tartessian area, Canary Islands and South Algerian Sahara, Mt Ahaggar area. These may represent a Megalithic Age writing which gave rise to IberianTartessian and other lineal signaries. Humboldt and all previous studies had established since 1st century AD that Basque language was old Iberian-Tartessian language. This has been hotly dismissed in the last 75 years by some Spanish scholars. However, the appearance (2023) of Irulegui Hand written in both Basque and Iberian has brought back the Basque-Iberism. Finally, relatedness with West and East Iberia is evident, because they use the same type of Ibrerian Tartessian writing and Levant Iberian statues (Lady of Cabeza-Lucero, Alicante, Spain) have almost the same Tartessian sculptured face schematic structure which has been recently found in Tartessos West Spain (Casas de Turuñuelo, Badajoz, Spain).

Indigenous systems of forest conservation: a tool for traditional medical practices in Akyem Abuakwa traditional area of Ghana

2023-06-19T13:15:54+00:00

Forest conservation is a very important concept across the world. It is not only crucial for climate change but also very critical for the survival of humanity. In Africa, forests have always been an important aspect of nature that is regarded with uttermost reverence and care. Importantly, discussions on health, healthcare, culture, economics and other factors have been associated with forests. Part of this benefit is the use of herbs from the forests for local medicinal purposes. The current study sought to ascertain the value of conserving forests resources for indigenous herbal medicine among the Akyem Abuakwa people of Ghana. Among other things, it aimed at exploring the indigenous means or methods of conserving forests in Africa. The study adopted a purely qualitative research approach, with a blend of interviews and secondary materials. From the current discourse, it was revealed that African traditional medicine, both spiritual and physical, make very good use of the forests. From earliest times, several strategies and indigenous knowledge systems were deployed to ensure a proper means for the protection of herbal plants, trees and animal parts to enhance the practice of traditional medicine in Akyem Abuakwa. Based on the findings and discussions arising from the research, we argue that rigorous education and orientation programmes toward the protection and sustenance of the forest environment should suffice. Howbeit, the discussions and debates surrounding African indigenous forest conservation and its contribution to African medicinal resources appear to be complex. Such puzzlement must be resolved with continuous research beyond this current contribution.

The Hand of Irulegi Basque-Iberism return after seventy years of dismissal

2023-06-19T13:26:29+00:00

The Hand of Irulegi is a Iberian bronze plate with a hand shape which is scripted with Iberian-Tartesian signs and has been found in an archaeological site (at Mt Irulegi) close to Pamplona, Navarre (Spain). It was probably fabricated at the 1st century BC to be hanged at the outside house door. Part os the Iberian signs have been officially transcripted and translated by official scholars by using Basque meaning of Iberian wording. It implies that Basque- Iberism returns to official scholars after about 70 years of dismissal. In this work, we have proposed a transcription and translation of the full four lines of the inscription by using phonetic-semantic similarities between Basque and Iberian wording and Iberian-Tartessian signary. Translation has come out to be in the Hospitium Iberian striking (to Romans) custum/tradition which consisted of a warm invitation and reception to foreigners to be hosted in the house. Also, it is now possible that Iberian-Tartessian rock scripts at Canary Islands may also be studied by official Iberian scholars and also the possible early origins of Iberian–Tartessian signary on the Lineal Megalith Scripts found in rocks in Mediterranean and Atlantic EuroAfrica. The main conclusion about “The Irulegi Hand” Iberian writing meaning is that it is within the frame of foreigners invitation to be hosted Iberian tradition or “Hospitium”. However, work on the exact meaning is not yet finished.

Nollywood Celebrities and the Emergence of Pro-Nigeria Fan Cultures in Cameroon: A Conceptual Discourse

2023-06-19T13:39:07+00:00

Like other world cinemas, Nollywood has since its inception in the 1990s, engendered actor fandom inside and outside Nigeria. Indeed, the trans- nationalisation and explosion of Nollywood have enabled the popularity not only of Nigerian films, but also of Nollywood stars, in countries across the world. As mentioned in passing by a number of commentators, Nollywood celebrities have rapidly become stars in such places as African Diasporas in the West, in Caribbean countries and most especially in Africa. In tandem with this, a number of Nigerian actors have, thanks to their popularity, been recruited to work in giant political and marketing campaigns outside Nigeria. However, although mentioned in a number of cinema studies and blog articles, the issue of the emergence of Nollywood actors’ fans in countries across Africa remains understudied nay downplayed in research works. The studies that evoke this phenomenon tend to do so just in passing. In the bid to fill this gap in knowledge, the present article attempts an examination of pro-Nigeria fan cultures which emerged in Cameroon from early 2000s as a result of the popularity of Nollywood films and Nigerian actors in the country. Based on secondary sources and critical observations, the paper argues that Nollywood stars have been one of Nigeria’s major image makers in Cameroon. These stars contribute immensely to the deconstruction of anti-Nigeria stereotypes, as well as to laundering a Nigerian image which has for decades, appeared seriously battered.

Nigerian Traditional Economy in the Ethnography of Paul Bohannan

2023-06-19T13:46:58+00:00

African traditional economics has attracted the interest of colonial hegemonic scholars who wanted to fathom the rationale behind the peasant socioeconomic structure. In Nigeria, there is a corpus of ethnographers who have studied some of the societies that make up Nigeria. In this article, my deliberately restricted aim is to reassess Bohannan’s studies on Nigerian peasant economies as a contribution to anthropological knowledge. Paul Bohannan studied the Tiv economy. In the literature on colonial knowledge and traditional economics in British Nigeria, Paul Bohanna’s Tiv economy has generated a whole lot of theoretical mainstreaming in economic anthropology.