Infrastructural Breaks on the Road from Birth to Death in Contemporary Russia

This paper addresses the problem of infrastructural breaks in two systems—the funeral market and maternity care. The authors analytically problematize how dysfunctions in the operation of these infrastructures shape the experiences of funeral and childbirth in contemporary Russia. The authors propose the conceptual model of the ‘rite of passage’, supplemented with the sociology of repair joint with the anthropology of infrastructures. Based on the ethnographic studies of the funeral market and maternity care (2015–2019), the authors uncover multiple infrastructural gaps and challenges that Russian families face while preparing for childbirth and funeral, especially in remote areas of the country. Empirical data of participant observations, in-depth and expert interviews demonstrated that continuous infrastructural failures can be considered to be an integral part of these life-cycle rituals, as both burial and maternity care arrangements never happen smoothly and unproblematically. In conclusion, the authors argue that necessity of “repairing” or patching the infrastructural gaps obtains self-sufficient symbolic meanings that possess ontological features.

The Prevailing Art and Tradition of Intentional Dental Modification in Prehistoric Southeast Asia | Ang Namamayaning Sining at Tradisyon ng Intensyonal na Modipikasyon ng Ngipin sa Sinaunang Timog-Silangang Asya

Since prehistoric times, humans have changed select characteristics of their bodies, such as tattooing, hair-dyeing, cranial and feet deforming, and teeth modifying. Teeth are some of the most well-preserved remains in the archaeological record, with which we can study past cultural and ritualistic beliefs. Previous publications on dental modifications in Southeast Asia are mostly limited to the mainland, thus this paper reviews modifications observed in prehistoric sites across Southeast Asia, identifying common techniques and motivations. Findings show occurrence of dental ablation, filing, plating, and coloration, which began in the Neolithic, disappeared in the Bronze Age, but reappeared in the Iron Age, although the absence may be due to sampling shortage. Modifications have been associated to aestheticism, group identity, rite of passage, practicality, and medical benefit, but whether these all ring true remains uncertain. It is recommended that future research expand scope for better data representation, analyze modifications with context of community profiles, and investigate the significance of migration in the prevalence of certain techniques and patterns as part of understanding the cultural aspects of past humans’ lives, and assess the cultural (dis)continuity of these traditions into modern-day forms of body modification, art, healing, self-expression, and identity. Magmula sinaunang panahon, maitatala ang mga pagbabagong pisikal sa katawan, tulad ng pagtatato, pagkukulay ng buhok, at pag-iiba-anyo ng ulo, paa, at ngipin. Nabibilang ang ngipin sa mga lubos na napepreserbang artepakto sa arkiyoloji, at sa gayo’y magagamit pang-aral ng mga nakalipas na kultura at ritwal. Kasalukuyang limitado sa mainland ng Timog-Silangang Asya ang saliksik sa intensyonal na modipikasyon ng ngipin, kaya tatalakayin dito ang mga sinaunang modipikasyong nabanggit sa buong rehiyon, at tutukuyin ang pagkakatulad sa mga teknik at motibasyon. Nagsimula ang paglaganap ng sadyang pagtatanggal, pagliliha, pagkakalupkop, at pagkukulay ng ngipin noong Panahong Neolitiko, naglaho noong Panahong Tanso, at bumalik muli pagsapit ng Panahong Bakal, ngunit maaaring iukol ang paglaho sa kakulangan ng datos. Hindi pa tiyak, pero pwedeng ang mga modipkasyon sa estetisismo, pakikisama, pagriritwal, praktikalidad, at benepisyong-medikal. Inirerekomendang palawakin sa susunod na saliksik ang sakop para sa mas mabuting representasyon ng datos, suriin ang mga modipikasyon sa konteksto ng komunidad, at imbestigahan ang kahalagahan ng migrasyon sa paglaganap ng mga partikular na teknik at padron habang inuunawa ang mga aspetong kultural ng sinaunang panahon, at tasahan ang pagpapatuloy (o hindi) ng mga tradisyong nabanggit sa kasalukuyang modipikasyon ng katawan, sining, paggagamot, pagpapahayag ng sarili, at identidad.

An Initiation Rite in Tibetan Historiography

I shall investigate a quasi-historical event in the biographies of the second ‘Dharma King’ of the Tibetan Empire, Khri-srong Lde-btsan (Trisong Detsen). As the newborn heir to the throne, he was stolen from his mother by a rival queen; however, at a ceremonial event the still infant prince indicated his true descent by sitting on the lap of his maternal uncle. As Ruzsa (2016) noticed, the complex motif of the new ruler choosing his family by sitting on the lap of a male representative can be found in the Indian legend of Śunaḥśepa, embedded in a much richer structure. Following his reconstruction, by analysing further parallelisms in a wider corpus, it appears that the seemingly innocent story of a baby prince is, in fact, a remnant of an archaic rite. I suppose that originally this was a rite of passage, a special variant of puberty initiation: the consecration of the heir apparent. Furthermore, its relationship to the Indian legend of Śunaḥśepa connects it indirectly with the stories of Isaac and even Snow White and also with several rites of passage in ancient Greece. I will also suggest that some versions of the legend point to a probably even more archaic cycle of maternity rites with parallels in Solomon’s judgment and the Chinese Chalk Circle.

French Leave

Europe’s return to peace after 1604 re-established European travel as a rite of passage for the sons of the nobility and gentry. Encouraged by Henry, prince of Wales, Herbert joined other noblemen in leaving England to travel the continent; gain experience of other European courts and governments; improve their social, weapons handling, and equestrian skills; and acquire expertise in foreign languages. Chapter 3 explores Herbert’s visit to France and the educational and social activities he pursued while resident in Paris and the Île de France. It focuses on his experience of the French court, his introduction to the influential Montmorency family, his growing enthusiasm for duelling and riding the great horse, his attempts at writing satirical verse, his introduction to Isaac Casaubon and his scholarly circle, and the development of his views on monarchical rule and religious toleration. It counterpoises the courtly civility, honour, and confidence he gained in Paris to augment his performance and reputation as a courtier with the impact of his failure to persuade his wife to settle her estates on his heir or to avoid the socially and financially embarrassing remarriage of his mother to a well-connected but impecunious younger man.

Ideal Architecture Unit: Vacant Offices into Desirable Student Housing

<p>The architectural quality of student housing in new Zealand is a growing concern. Students often accept living in damp and mouldy flats as “a rite of passage”. Student Housing highlights that the environment students live in directly impacts how they think and feel, and ultimately how they succeed at university. Those students fortunate enough to live in University Halls rather than private accommodation are only provided with basic facilities that cater to the ‘typical student’ rather than their individual field of study and personal differences. This research proposes that we exceed current expectations and practice, firstly through designing accommodation based on students area of study and, secondly, through prefabricated design of a single ‘Ideal Unit’ adapted to suit a specific site. Specific design for architecture students will be explored, due to higher housing demands than most students. establishing what makes architecture students different from other students is essential in order to cater to these needs. These are both physical and intellectual needs, ranging from facilities such as workshop, pin up space and drawing boards to the need for architectural delight. Prefabrication allows faster construction and lower costs, however this design method has resulted in ‘copy and paste’ architecture that is monotonous and without excitement. An ‘Ideal Unit’ with a small number of variations allows no two users to have the exact same experience. The work of Le Corbusier is explored, in particular the Modulor. This thesis argues that the Modulor is applicable to modern design and should be used, to ensure we build for the human body rather than arbitrary measurements. The desired outcomes of this research is a site specific design located in Wellington. A prefabricated unit is modified for the site with the ability to be applied in another location. Overall this research will comment and critique on current institutional student housing practices, both locally and internationally. While advocating for a change not just to architecture student accommodation but to all student accommodation. What we study and how we live are so intertwined that we can no longer ignore the needs associated with what we study, we must design for it.</p>

Ideal Architecture Unit: Vacant Offices into Desirable Student Housing

<p>The architectural quality of student housing in new Zealand is a growing concern. Students often accept living in damp and mouldy flats as “a rite of passage”. Student Housing highlights that the environment students live in directly impacts how they think and feel, and ultimately how they succeed at university. Those students fortunate enough to live in University Halls rather than private accommodation are only provided with basic facilities that cater to the ‘typical student’ rather than their individual field of study and personal differences. This research proposes that we exceed current expectations and practice, firstly through designing accommodation based on students area of study and, secondly, through prefabricated design of a single ‘Ideal Unit’ adapted to suit a specific site. Specific design for architecture students will be explored, due to higher housing demands than most students. establishing what makes architecture students different from other students is essential in order to cater to these needs. These are both physical and intellectual needs, ranging from facilities such as workshop, pin up space and drawing boards to the need for architectural delight. Prefabrication allows faster construction and lower costs, however this design method has resulted in ‘copy and paste’ architecture that is monotonous and without excitement. An ‘Ideal Unit’ with a small number of variations allows no two users to have the exact same experience. The work of Le Corbusier is explored, in particular the Modulor. This thesis argues that the Modulor is applicable to modern design and should be used, to ensure we build for the human body rather than arbitrary measurements. The desired outcomes of this research is a site specific design located in Wellington. A prefabricated unit is modified for the site with the ability to be applied in another location. Overall this research will comment and critique on current institutional student housing practices, both locally and internationally. While advocating for a change not just to architecture student accommodation but to all student accommodation. What we study and how we live are so intertwined that we can no longer ignore the needs associated with what we study, we must design for it.</p>

Traditional cultural expressions in theatrical performance: meaning and value

The object of the investigation is the relation between theatrical discourse and traditional cultural expressions. The main objective of the research is to highlight the way traditional art was made use of by directors at different historical stages and the artistic, cognitive, educational meanings and valences of some forms of traditional cultural expressions in the structure of theatrical discourse. Resorting to the comparativehistorical method, through the analyzes of the performances, we demonstrate the polysemanticism of the dramatic action and the variety of artistic functions of the traditional Romanian song, of the nuptial ceremony ”Iertarea miresei” /Forgiveness of the bride”, of the rite of passage “Moşii/Forefathers” in the spectacular universe created by directors in different theaters. These traditional forms promote and affirm identity marks – of the ethnic group and of the creative individuality (playwright, director, set designer, actor), but also the intercultural character of some shows.