Tag Archives: Society

51. SOCIAL ORGANIZATION

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How do people identify themselves?

  • By citizenship? By ethnic origin? By clan membership?
  • By language or dialect? By caste or occupation?

In view of this,

  • What do they call themselves?
  • What do they call outsiders?
  • What do outsiders call them?

Do groups have a tendency to stick together in the larger society or do they integrate?

What certain traits that identify their “membership”—dress, body markings, piercings, etc.?

What stories and anecdotes that bind the “members” together in a common history?

At what age are children initiated into full rights as a member of their society? How is this done?

What, beside sex and age, are the main divisions in society? These could be based on kinship, occupation or skill, religious orientation, educational standard, financial holdings, etc.

 

52. PRESTIGE

Culture,

Who are the people who are looked up to, have prestige?

  • in your neighborhood?
  • in your village, town or city?
  • in the country as a whole?

On what is this prestige based—political power, wealth, ritual expertise, knowledge of a craft, ability to sing, tell stories, recount legends, lay leadership in the temple or center of worship, ability to counsel, attainments in formal education, knowledge of legal procedures, or some combination of these and other reasons?

How have the criteria for status and prestige changed in the last 30 years?

  • What were they for the older generation?
  • What are the current status symbols for the present generation?
  • Are these counted in property (land and animals)?
  • In educational attainment (degree, post-graduate degree, or even a “BA-fail”)?
  • In residential location, etc.?

61. OFFENCES AND PUNISHMENTS

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Ideas for whom you can talk with to inquire about this topic: talk with a lawyer to find out what types of cases he is handling, or talk with someone who has had a case pending in the courts.

If you can, observe how a case is handled in court. What judicial procedure is followed? How do the parties concerned present their cases? Is there a jury? How are they selected? What is their role?

Explore the legal system to find out what types of courts exist to handle grievances. Are these readily available to the local populace? How long does it take for a case to be heard?

What kind of training do the judges, lawyers, and others have? Are they dependable and impartial or are they easily influenced by those with money and position? How often is the law taken into “their own hands” and how is this recourse viewed?

What broken standard of behavior would constitute grounds for bringing a case to authorities?

Which would also need the services of a lawyer? a ritual expert?

What types of cases constitute the majority of those brought for judgment?

Possibilities: land disputes, water rights, pigs in one’s fields, adultery, incest, chronic bullying or other anti-social behavior, cheating on a deal, murder, theft, etc. How and on what basis is the verdict reached? Are bribes ever used to influence a case?

What types of punishment are meted out to those found guilty?

Possibilities: restitution, fines, jail, community service, banishment, death, etc. Are these punishments different from those meted out in the old days for murder, chronic theft or robbery, adultery, etc.?

Do people argue their case directly or through a spokesman? Do the parties to a case meet face to face or do they appear before the council separately? Which decisions can be appealed? How?

How is justice today different from that administered in former times

74. HUMOR – General

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What makes people laugh? When they are embarrassed? When someone says something perceived as funny? Children at play? Other reasons?

Who do they poke fun at and when? children? adults? people they know well? people from another group? How does the target person or group react to this? What are acceptable methods of teasing someone?

What inflections or voice modulations are used to indicate a humorous statement in contrast to a serious one? What about accompanying body language?

Are there stories or legends about a comic person (as Don Quixoti)? Do these teach a lesson as well as provide an opportunity for a laugh? On what occasions are such stories retold? Look at or listen to one with a friend and retell it to another friend along with your understanding of its meaning.

Are there ethnic jokes about another tribe or nationality? Are these said with hatred? with sarcasm? in good fun?

As you investigate this topic, see if there are areas where humor would differ in your own country. Are there incidents in your new culture which are considered humorous or witty but would be regarded as insult or damaging in your native culture—and vice versa?

75. HUMOR – Specific

Culture, ,

Are there humorous radio or TV programs? What topics are covered? Are these family or adult oriented? Watch or listen to one of these programs and isolate the humorous elements. Who did or said what to whom? Was one person or object the target? Why? Did the episode have teaching or merely entertainment value?

Are there people who make their living by entertainment? Is this gender specific?

What is their role in society? Are they respected? Are they all members of one tribe, clan, or family? Do they ply their trade only on the media, or are there local venues or spontaneous opportunities available? If so, who are the targeted audience—children? adults? men? women? anyone?

Is there a newspaper with cartoons or a comic section? What or who is their subject?