Dolls and toys are typically thought to be nothing more than children’s playthings. However, throughout history different cultures have used them in a variety of ways. Dolls and toys come in many shapes and sizes and are made from different materials depending on what is available to the makers in the surrounding environment. They are miniature representations of either people or concepts, and, as such, they can be used as teaching tools and have meaning for adults as well. For example, the Hopi Katsina doll is used to teach children about the Katsina spirit it represents. In many cultures, such as those in Africa, adults use dolls to teach children different rituals or cultural traditions. Dolls can also be used in a commercial setting by serving as the model for dressmakers or sold as commodities by craftsmen. Other dolls, such as those of the Inuit, are used as a means of cultural expression and pride by showing traditional dress, or they are used in depictions of important events in the culture’s history or present life.

Humans have always manipulated their environment, whether by acquiring food, making and using tools, or other aspects of daily life. They are constantly interacting with their environment on a daily basis. By using the available materials, humans have created shelter, made tools, created containers and vessels, and produced items of personal and cultural significance. Many of these resources are naturally occurring, such as stones, minerals, animal bones, or organic fibers from plants, while others are made from combining materials. The process of acquiring these materials and the manufacturing process can be traditional practices that are passed down from one generation to another. Because materials are unique to the location of different communities and cultures, by studying the types of materials, as well as animal remains found and the processes used to manipulate them, anthropologists and researchers can learn about the daily activities and lifestyles of the cultures they are studying. In what ways do you interact with your environment on a daily basis?

Cultures around the world observe different rituals and ceremonies. These can occur for a variety of reasons, but they all serve a significant purpose for participants. Some rituals and ceremonies are related to religious practices, such as the complex dances of the Hopi people of the American Southwest. In these rituals, the Hopi believe that the dancers actually become the Katsina ancestors or spiritual messengers. These rituals are used to honor the ancestors and acknowledge their role in bringing rainfall. Other ceremonies and rituals are essential to social relations within and between communities. For example, tribes of the Northwest coast of North America celebrate life events through a festival feast and gathering known as a potlatch. This allows for the members of the communities to redistribute wealth among them and reconnect. Status in these ceremonies is granted to those who give the most, not those who are given the most. In what sort of ceremonies or rituals does your culture or family participate?