How can one learn about culture? Anthropology involves examining other cultures and documenting human behavior. Sometimes it involves comparing societies in order to increase self-understanding. Comparing observations of an indigenous culture with another culture can be complicated but may be unavoidable as a participant observer whono matter the efforts at objectivitywill most likely see things through his or her own culture. Anthropologists often learn about indigenous groups by examining cultural elements, including language, values, symbols, rituals, customs, and beliefs. These are elements that help define a culture. In this Discussion, you compare a thought, belief, or ritual from the selected indigenous group.
Select indigenous group: Maori and Samoan
Compare thought, belief or ritual in this indigenous culture.
Consider how comparing aspects of two different cultures can be problematic or useful.
