Key Concepts in Sociocultural Anthropology

Key concepts in social-cultural anthropology
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Hawaiians believed that there was a relationship connecting the existence of sea, land, nature and the universe. This connection originated from their genealogical and spiritual beliefs. For Hawaiians, nature was the phenomenon where all such interactions and existence emanated. They considered themselves as children of nature or land. They believed that land was the core aspect of life rather than mere dirt, sand or soil. Hawaiians believed that land developed deep emotion that grew from ancestral period when they inhabited the islands (natural land). They believed that land was a fundamental aspect for human survival. According to Jonathan (2004), cultural anthropology has been utilized as important tool which enabled Hawaiians understand and learn many issues about their past experiences. Furthermore, cultural anthropology helped Hawaiians to sustain and conserve their culture. Cultural anthropologists explored Hawaiian ethno-history and redeveloped this traditional history as an important aspect for Hawaiians.
The determination to engage Hawaiians in issues concerning cultural resource management issues began in the past. Cultural anthropologists have been advocating for collaboration between anthropologists and native Hawaiians. Anthropologists are external agents who helped to analyze cultural aspects in a more indigenous way which enabled native Hawaiians gained more knowledge and understanding their communities and culture. Cultural anthropologists examined Hawaiian ethno-history and refined the traditional history of the Hawaiian communities. Environment was vital for human survival and therefore topics like resource sustainability, social organization as well as sustenance strategies were examined through studying scientific and cultural issues (David and Elizabeth, 2010). Anthropologist professors at the University of Hawaii were determined to involve many Hawaiians students study anthropology as a way of engaging other native Hawaiians in the society to culturally manage their resources effectively.
There has been cultural misunderstanding between native Hawaiians and anthropologists concerning unethical archeological tasks, inappropriate treatment of human remains and their opposing agendas. The native Hawaiians considered appropriate treatment of human remains as not involving archeological analysis and excavation of the remains. Rapport and Overing (2000) opine that such political and social strife emanated from the manner in which archeologists involved in Hawaiian archeological artifices and sites without getting consent from the native Hawaiians. Native Hawaiians tribes concerned with way in which human remains and other related artifacts were disposed and treated. Such new realities demanded that archeologists develop mutual relationship with native Hawaiians regarding how human remains were supposed to be tre...