Tag: cultural history
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An Analysis of Michel de Montaigne’s ‘On the Cannibals’
Written by Megan Sickmueller. The life and works of Michel de Montaigne are largely remembered for his ‘Essays,’ popularising the literary genre and asserting his own scepticism in the process. Megan Sickmueller discusses one of his more controversial essays – ‘On the Cannibals’ in this article.
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The Life of Squanto
Written by Amy Hendrie. The story of the first thanksgiving is told yearly in the US, and is widely known throughout the world. Amy Hendrie explores the figure of Squanto, or Tisquantum, pivotal to the story of this first thanksgiving.
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Norns and Moirai: The Fates of Norse and Greek Mythology
Written by Fiona Macrae. The idea of the ‘fates’ is one repeated throughout mythology, three goddesses who spin the thread of life. Fiona Macrae examines the Fates of Norse and Greek mythology, comparing their depiction and asking why the similarities are important.
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Understanding Afropolitanism
Written by Megan Sickmueller. The term ‘Afropolitan’ can be traced back to a 2005 article by Taiye Tuakli-Wosornu. But what does it mean today? And how has it helped broaden the idea of what it means to be African?
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The Depiction of a Black Magus: An Early Attempt at Representation?
Written by Sophia Aiello. Representations of the three ‘wisemen’ or Magi from the story of the birth of Jesus have been varied and changeable over the history of Christianity. But how do these depictions offer a more diverse look at the world of the Bible? And what does this representation mean for modern re-enactments?
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An Lushan and the Fall of China’s Golden Age
Written by Kat Jivkova. The Tang period witnessed an incredible cultural blossoming amidst the pre-modern imperial magnificence, but what proved to be the cause of smouldering away?
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Groundhog Day: The Pride of Punxsutawney
Written by Sam Marks. What is Groundhog Day? Sam Marks discusses the customs and origins of the folklore of the peculiar North American holiday
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The Dancing Plague of 1518: The Worst Dance Party Ever?
Written by Eva Campbell. The Dancing Plague of 1518 is often regarded as one of the most bizarre events in social and cultural history. But are we any further towards understanding why this happened to the people of Strasbourg?
Retrospect Journal 