World Anthropology Day 2025
A beginner's guide to Anthropology : Some major queries

Sanjoy Akoijam *

Anthropology Department at Manipur University (MU), Canchipur in April 2012 :: Pix - Deepak Oinam

What is Anthropology ?

This is a very common question faced by many of us who are/were associated with this discipline. Unlike disciplines like Physics, Chemistry, History or Geography that a majority of the populace are exposed to quite early in life, Anthropology does not really come into the picture until higher levels of education.

The term ‘Anthropology’ is derived from two Greek words- Anthropos (meaning human) and Logia/Logos (study of). In simple words, the discipline can be defined as "the scientific study of the physical, social and cultural development and behaviour of human beings since their appearance on this earth”- in short, a holistic study of humankind.

According to the American Anthropological Asso- ciation, “Anthropology seeks to uncover principles of behavior that apply to all human communities. To an anthropologist, diversity itself-seen in body shapes and sizes, customs, clothing, speech, religion, and worldview-provides a frame of reference for understanding any single aspect of life in any given community”

What are the main branches of the discipline?

The discipline has three main branches.

1. Biological/Physical Anthropology studies human evolution, adaptation, and biological diversity over time. It examines fossil evidence, genetics, primatology, and human variation to understand human origins and develop- ment. The field also investigates how environmental, social, and cultural factors influence human biology and physical traits.

2. Socio-Cultural Anthropology studies how humans organize themselves into societies, create and transmit culture, and make meaning of their lives through beliefs, practices, and social relationships. It examines how different aspects of human life like kinship, religion, politics, economics, and identity- intersect and influence each other within specific cultural contexts.

Through ethnographic fieldwork and comparative analysis, it seeks to understand both the unique characteristics of particular societies and universal patterns in human social behavior. Linguistic Anthropology, which is nowadays taken to be another separate branch of the discipline, is still widely accepted as a sub-branch of Socio-Cultural Anthropology.

3. Prehistoric Archaeology from an anthropological perspective studies how human societies lived and developed before written records, by analy-zing material remains and artifacts. It examines cultural practices, social organization, and technological developments through evidence like tools, settlements, and burial sites. This approach emphasizes understanding human beha-vior and cultural evolution within specific environ- mental and social contexts rather than just cataloging artifacts.

When is World Anthropology Day and why is it celebrated?

World Anthropology Day is celebrated annually on the third Thursday of February. This year, the celebration falls on 20th February. The day was first celebrated in 2015 as ‘National Anthropology Day’ by the American Anthropological Association (AAA). It was later renamed ‘World Anthropology Day’ to reflect its global significance and participation from anthropologists worldwide.

The AAA established this day to raise awareness about Anthropology as a field of study and its contributions to understanding human cultures, behaviors, and societies. The celebration aims to share the value of the discipline with the public and to give inspiration to budding youths as they navigate their way in the world.

On this day, anthropologists worldwide en- gage in various activities to demonstrate the importance of anthropological principles and research and its real-world applications.

Universities, museums, and research institutions often organize events such as lectures, workshops, exhibitions, and interactive sessions. These events help people learn about different cultures, human evolution, archaeological discoveries, and contemporary social issues through an anthro- pological lens.

The day also serves as an opportunity for anthropologists and students to connect with communities, share their research findings, and demon- strate how anthropological perspectives can help address modern challenges like cultural preservation, social justice, sustainable development, etc.

The theme for this year’s celebration is “Celebrate, Engage, Inspire”.

What is the status of the discipline in India and Manipur?

In India, the discipline has a rich history dating back to the late 19th century. The country has produced many world renowned anthropologists such as DN Majumdar, NK Bose, MN Srinivas, Irawati Karve, LP Vidyarthi, SC Dube, B.M Das, TN Madan, TC Das, IP Singh, etc. to name a few.

The discipline is offered at the higher secondary level in a good number of schools throughout the country, but high school students have very limited exposure to the discipline. Yes, certain anthro- pological concepts and related knowledge are included in high school syllabi across the country, but the discipline remains a blind spot for a majority of students in this category.

A majority of higher secondary students also probably have no idea about the discipline either, other than seeing its name in examination schedules or official book lists! A number of colleges, universities and institutes across the country offer under-graduate, post-graduate, PhD and other academic programs in Anthropology.

Some notable Anthropology departments in India can be found in Delhi University, Panjab University, Calcutta University, Lucknow University, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Gauhati University, etc.

Manipur also stands tall as an important pillar in the hall of Indian Anthropology. The State’s tryst with Anthropology began with the establishment of a department in 1961-62 in DM College of Science (now part of Dhanamanjuri University) by (L) Dr Longjam Rajendra Singh (Physical Anthropology).

Joined soon by (L) KC Mahanta (Socio-Cultural Anthropology) and (L) RK Das (Prehistory), they planted the seeds for the discipline in Manipur. The Anthropology departments in Manipur University (estd. 1984) and Dhanamanjuri University hold much significance, having guided and produced many brilliant minds over the years. Besides these two main departments, around 30 colleges across the State also offer courses in the discipline.

Anthropology in India has been crucial in documenting and preserving the country's vast cultural diversity, including its numerous tribal communities, languages, customs, and social structures. It has played a vital role in shaping social policies and development programs by providing insights into traditional knowledge systems, social hierarchies, and local practices.

Additionally, anthro- pological studies have helped bridge the gap between modern governance and traditional societies, contributing to more culturally sensitive approaches in healthcare, education, social welfare programs, etc.

What are the career prospects ?

Unlike fields like Medicine, Engineering or Law that are so beloved in India and can lead to lucrative careers for the cream of the crop, Anthropology does not offer straightforward or lucrative careers as such.

But it certainly opens the door to several opportunities. Anthropologists and anthropology students can become researchers in government, non-government and corporate organisations- with their skill of looking at human society holistically being a major plus point.

Of course, many of them will join academics full time and become faculty in Government and private organi- sations as well. They can also become researchers, policy advisors, analysts and consultants for public policy organisations, market and financial institutions, development organisations, media organisations, public health organisations, etc.

Careers in Forensics, Archaeology, Psychology, Linguistics, Museology, Culture Studies, Paleon-tology, Social Work, etc. can also be accessed through Anthropology. Besides, the central tenet of Anthropology- looking at human society from a holistic perspective- can be applied to all aspects of our existence, irrespective of who we are and what we do for a living.