How the Samoan Tattoo Survived Colonialism
A combination of factors, from geography to group identity, supported the endurance of this traditional body art—even as similar practices were lost in other cultures.
Expressions
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A New Generation Is Reviving Indigenous Tattooing
People in Arctic and Northwest Coast communities are uncovering the therapeutic history of tattoos.
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Confronting the Specter of Cultural Appropriation
From Halloween costumes to haute couture, ethnic foods to movies, the danger of appropriating another culture seems to be everywhere. How do we weigh the difference between celebrating and stealing someone else’s culture?
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It’s Official: Neanderthals Created Art
New evidence from caves in Spain shows that Neanderthals engaged in complex symbolic thought—and were pretty good artists to boot.
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Primate Vocalizations Are Much More Than Gibberish
Nonhuman primates clearly do more than just screech meaningless sounds at each other, but what are the limits of their communication?
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The Power of the Dictionary
Dictionaries are typically viewed as being value-neutral. But they are just as steeped in culture and prejudice as the rest of the world—and they have the power to shape what we see as “normal.”