Cultural Anthropology

noun the belief that everything in the universe has a soul or spirit

• Animism is the belief that natural objects, natural phenomena, and the universe itself possess souls.
• Some indigenous tribes still practice animism, honoring spirits in all living and non-living things.
• I don't buy into all that animism stuff, it's just superstition.
• The artist's animism towards nature is evident in her paintings, which depict trees and animals as having human-like qualities.

noun a region on or near a border between two countries or territories

• The region was considered a borderland, with a mix of different cultures and languages.
• I love visiting the borderland towns for their unique blend of traditions.
• Let's take a road trip to the borderland and explore some hidden gems.
• The artist's work exists in the borderland between reality and imagination.

adjective showing a strong tendency to associate with one's own group and to avoid others

• The small community was known for being clannish, often keeping to themselves and rarely interacting with outsiders.
• The neighborhood is quite clannish, everyone seems to know each other and stick together.
• I heard that group is really clannish, they only hang out with each other and don't let anyone else in.
• The company's upper management was accused of being clannish, only promoting those who were part of their inner circle.

noun a person whose behavior or beliefs are different from what is considered acceptable or normal

adjective departing from usual or accepted standards, especially in social or sexual behavior

• The psychologist studied the behavior of the deviant individual.
• She's always been a bit of a deviant, doing things her own way.
• He's a real deviant, always getting into trouble.
• In a world of conformity, she was a deviant, blazing her own path.

verb to tame or train an animal to live with or work for humans

• Humans have been able to domesticate animals for thousands of years.
• My neighbor decided to domesticate a stray cat that was hanging around their house.
• I heard that guy is trying to domesticate a wild raccoon as a pet.
• It took some time for her to domesticate her rebellious thoughts and emotions.

noun the act of worshipping or revering fire

• Fire worship has been a long-standing tradition in certain cultures.
• Have you ever heard of fire worship ceremonies?
• Some people think fire worship is pretty cool.
• His passion for music is like a form of fire worship.

noun the process of preserving a dead body by embalming and drying it to prevent decay

• The process of mummification was an important ritual in ancient Egyptian culture.
• Have you ever wondered how mummification works?
• That movie was so boring, it felt like mummification.
• The lack of change in his routine gave the impression of mummification in his life.

noun the language or dialect spoken by the ordinary people in a particular country or region

adjective relating to the language or dialect spoken by the ordinary people in a particular country or region

• The linguist studied the vernacular of the indigenous tribe.
• I love listening to the vernacular music of this region.
• The vernacular slang used by teenagers is constantly evolving.
• The artist's work spoke a vernacular that transcended language barriers.

noun the collection and publication of papyri

• Papyrology is the study and interpretation of ancient texts written on papyrus.
• I'm taking a papyrology course next semester to learn about ancient manuscripts.
• Papyrology is like detective work, piecing together fragments of old documents.
• In a way, papyrology is like unraveling the mysteries of the past through written records.

adjective describing something that has not been recorded or documented

adverb in a manner that is not recorded or documented

• The unchronicled events of the past have left many gaps in historical records.
• There are many unchronicled stories from our family history that we should uncover.
• I heard some unchronicled gossip about that celebrity, but I'm not sure if it's true.
• The unchronicled emotions she kept hidden inside eventually came to the surface in a burst of tears.

noun a person who is from a particular place or area, typically referred to in relation to tourists or visitors

• The locals were pleased with the new community center.
• The locals love hanging out at the new coffee shop.
• The locals are always down for a good time.
• The locals are the heart and soul of this town.

noun a term referring to a specific group of people in Papua New Guinea

• The Abelam people are known for their intricate and colorful yam masks.
• I heard the Abelam tribe throws the best yam festivals.
• Those Abelam folks sure know how to party!
• The Abelam culture is a vibrant tapestry of tradition and artistry.

noun a member of a Native American people of the northeastern U.S., now living in Quebec and Maine.

adjective relating to the Abenaki people or their language.

• The Abenaki tribe has a rich history in the northeastern United States.
• I learned about the Abenaki people in my history class.
• Have you heard of the Abenaki tribe? They're pretty cool.
• The Abenaki culture is like a hidden gem waiting to be discovered.

noun a Native American tribe originally from the northeastern United States and eastern Canada

adjective relating to the Abenaki tribe or their language or culture

• The Abenakis are a Native American tribe with a rich cultural heritage.
• I learned about the Abenakis in my history class.
• Have you heard of the Abenakis before?
• The Abenakis have been the keepers of their traditions for generations.

noun Achomawi - a member of a North American Indian people of northeastern California.

adjective Achomawi - relating to the Achomawi people or their language.

• The Achomawi people are a Native American tribe indigenous to northern California.
• I learned about the Achomawi tribe in my history class.
• Have you heard of the Achomawi folks from up north?
• The Achomawi culture is like a hidden gem waiting to be discovered.

noun Achomawis does not have a specific definition as it is not a commonly recognized English word.

• The achomawis tribe has a rich history of storytelling and traditional practices.
• I heard that the achomawis are hosting a cultural festival next month.
• Have you ever tried the achomawis cuisine? It's so delicious!
• The achomawis of the forest symbolize resilience and strength in the face of adversity.

noun a musical instrument that produces sound by causing a body of air to vibrate, such as a flute or a trumpet

• The flute is classified as an aerophone because it produces sound by vibrating air within a tube.
• I recently started learning how to play an aerophone, and it's been a fun challenge.
• Check out this cool aerophone I found at the flea market!
• His words floated through the room like music from an aerophone.