Cultural Anthropology Terminology

noun a person who conforms to accepted behavior or established practices

adjective adhering to or characterized by conformity

• The organization values employees who are not conformist and are willing to think outside the box.
• She's such a conformist, always following the latest trends without question.
• Don't be a conformist, man. Do your own thing and be unique.
• In a sea of conformists, be a beacon of individuality and creativity.

noun a person who is old-fashioned or resistant to change, especially in politics or social customs

• The mossback society members were resistant to any changes in the traditional way of doing things.
• My grandpa is such a mossback when it comes to technology - he still uses a flip phone!
• Don't be such a mossback, try something new for once!
• His old-fashioned beliefs made him a mossback in the eyes of modern society.

noun a social division in a traditional society consisting of families or communities linked by social, economic, religious, or blood ties

• The indigenous tribe has been living in the forest for generations.
• My friend belongs to a tribe in Africa.
• I'm part of the gaming tribe that meets online every night.
• In the corporate world, loyalty to your tribe can be beneficial for career advancement.

noun a religious cult practiced in the Caribbean and the southern US, combining elements of Roman Catholic ritual with traditional African magical and religious rites, and characterized by sorcery and spirit possession

• Voodooism is a religion practiced in certain parts of the world.
• Some people believe in the power of voodooism to bring luck or curse others.
• I heard she's into voodooism, always carrying around those strange charms.
• The politician's opponents accused him of using voodooism to manipulate the voters.

noun the practice of magic or sorcery, typically involving the use of spells, charms, and rituals

• The practice of witchcraft has a long history dating back to ancient times.
• Some people believe in the power of witchcraft to influence events.
• She's into all that witchcraft stuff, you know?
• His ability to manipulate people's opinions was like a form of political witchcraft.

noun a Maori term referring to a state of confusion, disorientation, or perplexity

• Takiwatanga is a Maori concept that refers to the state of being in control of one's own destiny.
• I heard that Takiwatanga is all about taking charge of your own life and decisions.
• Takiwatanga is like being the boss of your own life, ya know?
• Just like a captain navigating a ship, Takiwatanga is about steering your own course in life.

verb to assimilate or cause to assimilate a different culture, typically the dominant one

• It is important for immigrants to acculturate to the customs and traditions of their new country.
• New students often struggle to acculturate to the social norms of their school.
• She had to acculturate to the hipster lifestyle of her new neighborhood.
• In order to succeed in the corporate world, one must acculturate to the cutthroat nature of business.

adjective relating to the process of acculturation, or the adoption of cultural traits from another group

• The acculturational process involves learning and adopting the customs and traditions of a new culture.
• Acculturational changes can be challenging, but also exciting as you immerse yourself in a different way of life.
• I'm totally digging the acculturational vibe of this new city I moved to.
• Just like plants need sunlight to grow, individuals need acculturational experiences to broaden their perspectives.

noun a person who promotes or advocates for acculturation, the process of cultural change and adaptation

adjective relating to acculturation or the process of cultural change and adaptation

• The acculturationist studied the cultural integration of immigrants into society.
• The acculturationist helped new residents adapt to their new environment.
• The acculturationist was all about blending in with the cool crowd.
• The acculturationist was like a cultural chameleon, seamlessly fitting into any social setting.