Indigenous studies

What is the definition of 'Indigenous'?

Any group of people or culture that is native to a specific region, prior to the arrival of outside colonists or settlers.

Who is considered a 'Settler'?

An individual who moves to a new country, territory, or region, or is descended from someone who has done so.

Define 'Colonialism'.

The policy and/or practice of acquiring full or partial political control over a country or nation, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically.

What does 'Ethnocentrism' refer to?

The application of one's own cultural beliefs, practices, and behaviors as a frame of reference to judge other cultures.

What is 'Cultural Relativism'?

A philosophy that dictates the best way to understand and view another culture is objectively through that culture's beliefs and perspectives.

What does 'Assimilation' mean?

When a minority or disenfranchised group adopts the behaviors, values, rituals, and beliefs of the dominant or colonizing group.

Define 'Genocide'.

The physical destruction of a cultural or ethnic group, including mass murder or creating conditions to destroy a group.

What is 'Cultural Genocide'?

The destruction of the cultural beliefs, practices, and knowledge of a group, including forced re-education and suppression of cultural practices.

What constitutes a 'Nation'?

A group sharing a single language, religion, history, territory, ancestry, and kinship.

How is a 'State' defined?

An independent, centrally organized governmental system.

Describe 'Bands' in social organization.

The smallest and oldest level of organization, composed of family groups foraging, typically nomadic with seasonal migrations.

What characterizes 'Simple Bands'?

Composed of a single extended family of 25-50 individuals, led by elders with egalitarian decision-making.

Define 'Composite Bands'.

Groups composed of several extended families, consisting of 50-200 members, with a notable 'Big man' leadership.

What are 'Tribes'?

Groups of several residence bands under one leader, consisting of 1000-20,000 members with shared language and lifestyle.

What distinguishes a 'Chiefdom'?

Several residence groups under one centrally allied leader, with social stratification and a hereditary chief.

Define a 'State'.

A wide-spread territory with a large population base, centralized political power, and a bureaucracy.

What is 'Evolutionism' in cultural studies?

The theory that cultures evolve through unilineal stages marked by technological and social structures.

What is 'Postcolonialism'?

A critical analysis of the cultural, political, and economic impacts of colonialism and the processes of decolonization.

Define 'Decolonization'.

The process through which a nation establishes and maintains its independence from colonial powers.

What is 'Cultural Colonialism'?

The imposition of a foreign culture onto a local culture, leading to the erosion of the local culture.

What does 'Transculturation' refer to?

The process of cultural transformation that results from the contact between two or more cultures.

What is 'Revitalization Movement'?

A social movement aiming to recreate or revive cultural practices and beliefs, often in response to colonial influence.

Define 'Identity Politics'.

Political arguments that are based on the interests and perspectives of social groups with which people identify.

What is 'Cultural Identity'?

A sense of belonging to a particular culture, shaped by shared practices, beliefs, values, and history.