Tuesday, August 25, 2020

Philippine Prehistory: Lessons from the Historical Past Essay

During the time of this course, I’ve took in significantly progressively about the Philippines as a spot, just as the individuals themselves and about the things they do. Previously, I just went with the generalizations that everybody says about Filipino’s, they’re all short, they’re poor, and so forth. Now and again, that remaining parts valid, however not for every one of them out there. They likewise appear to be further developed in innovation than I suspected they were. There is significantly more to the individuals, the nation, the way of life and their rich history. A few things I didn’t think about the Philippines were that they had set up their own composing framework before they had any contact or information about others or dialects on the planet. Baybayin or Alibata comprised of 14 consonants and 3 vowels, while utilizing dabs on the tops and bottoms of characters to recognize consonants with specific vowels and a cross underneath character which takes out the vowel, leaving only the consonant. They additionally had innovation of apparatuses, utilizing them to imprint the Baybayin composing into bamboo posts and making the Angono Petroglyphs and the Laguna Copperplate Inscription (LCI). The LCI was found and no one comprehended what it was, nor did anybody need it. In any case, it held significant data about how society was in those days. The engraving was about the pardoning of an obligation. It was connected to a few urban communities that despite everything exist now. The Angono Petroglyphs exist in a collapse the region of Rizal. They contain pictures on rock dividers of creatures and people that go back to 3000 B. C. Presently days, because of disintegration of the dividers and damaging of the dividers, a few pictures have gotten vague. Something else about the Philippines that I didn’t think about was the Tabon man. The Tabon man is accounted for the most established known arrangement of bones found in the Tabon Caves said to go back 30,000 years making it the most seasoned stays found in the Philippines. Some additionally trust it to be a lady. Some geologic things I didn’t think about were that the Philippines have three segments; Palawan, Mindanao, and Visayas. Inside these zones, there are more than 100 unique dialects communicated in, despite the fact that the national language is Filipino. In Mindanao, it is where the Islam religion is generally conspicuous. It was presented 100 years before Christianity. The Philippines comprise of 7,100 Islands, however some of them just being above ocean level in low tide, and under ocean levels in elevated tide. There are just around 500 islands that are bigger than 1 square mile and just 800 of the 7,100 are occupied. The Philippines, in general, is around multiple times bigger than Hawaii. There are two articulated seasons, wet and dry, where June †November is wet and December †March is dry. Manila is the Capital of the Philippines and the Philippines has the second biggest shopping center on the planet, the Mall of Asia. The Philippines is not quite the same as how I had taken a gander at it previously, and now I find out about their way of life and how they live. This history is significant on the grounds that it shows where these individuals have been and where they are going. In spite of the fact that there may be some awful things since the beginning to a great extent, it’s what carried the nation to where it is currently. This Country has more to offer than what I recently had idea and in my eyes, it appears to be a truly pleasant spot to visit or live in.

Saturday, August 22, 2020

Mmw 13 Notes

SAFAVID EMPIRE Key Focus: 1) The Ottoman (Sunni)- Safavid (Shi’ite) split in Dar al-Islam 2) Safavids’ utilization of strict radicalism to rouse an after and manufacture a domain 3) Transition from heterodox philosophy to standard religious government under Shah Abbas I) The Safavid Rise to Power in Persia †¢3 realms commanded by nearness of Islam †¢M2oguls in India, Ottoman Empire, and Safavids an) Isma’il and the Messianic Ideology of the Qizilbash (warriors; â€Å"red heads† > their turbans) I) How did a multi year-old set up a line? †¢Led Turkish armed force to catch an Iranian city it was at that point a powerless area †¢envisioned an idealistic Islamic world (1) Claim heredity from thirteenth century Sufi leaderâ€Safi al-Din (2) Reincarnation of the â€Å"hidden† Twelfth Imam of Shi’a Islam (3) Claim of godlikeness as the â€Å"God-shah† ?possibly rebirth of Allah himself!! ii) Sufi faith in the transmis sion of enchanted forces †¢maybe a savior figure iii) Qizilbash zeal †¢sometimes went into fight unarmed; trusted Isma’il’s force could spare em †¢the increasingly outrageous their conduct, the more they demonstrated their dependability to Isma’il b) The Safavid-Ottoman Conflict Safavid’s were determined to spreading their Qizibash religions I) Clash of Heterodoxy versus Universality (1) Safavids purpose on spreading their Sufi/Shi’ite philosophy ? Footrests had power over Mecca ?Safavid debilitated journey to Mecca to sabotage Ottoman’s rule (2) Ottoman Selim the Grim’s guarantee as the â€Å"exterminator of idolators† ? alluding to Safavid ?made it his essential objective to wipe out Safavid (3) Battle of Chaldiran (Kaldi-ran) 1514 ?slave armed forces were imposing; utilized firmarms ?compelled to withdrew to focus of their realm ii) Geopolitical results 1) Interruption of the Mediterraneanâ€Middle Eastern b usiness arrange iii) Changes in Safavid Policies (1) Adoption of increasingly moderate brand of â€Å"Imamite Sh’ia† II) Safavid Consolidation under Shah Abbas I (r. 1588-1629) a) Securing the Empire oAdopted Shi’a Imam/not all that outrageous ofanaticism is useful for GOING to control, however not moderate o1588 o1590, set up great I) Military Reorganization †¢reorganized armed force (1) Ghulam framework ?enlisted; much better sorted out and faithful armed force (2) Alliances with Europeans to counter Ottoman development ?first, with Portuguese, yet quite often about arms I) Promote business (1) New capital in Isfahan as a cosmopolitan focus of exchange ? transparently welcomed Euro and Asian vendors; and Christian missionaires ? turned out to be staggeringly worldy and assorted ?â€Å"to see Isfahan is to see a large portion of the world† (2) Secured exchange courses inside the Safavid domain b) Pragmatic ruler â€Å"both dreaded and loved† I) Ruler in the Machiavellian vein? †¢he did everything perfect of Machiavellian ruler (1) Pragmatist not ideologue ?talented in statecraft and discretion ?close eye on dubious stuff ?very â€Å"hands-on† ?great on philosophical talk (2) Manipulation of his open imageâ€â€Å"Shah of the People† ? ffect sovereign must extend to his kin to be dreaded and adored ? profoundly obvious; blended with the ordinary citizens ?made it a point to be unassuming and second thought †¢wore basic materials; not silks (3) â€Å"More dreaded than loved†? ?played no top picks ?no persistence for toadies ?controlled viably and definitively ii) Religious Policies (1) Father Simon’s report to Pope Paul V in 1605 (2) Purged of the Qizilbash iii) Symptoms of decay after Shah Abbas (1) Increasing narrow mindedness towards other Muslim orders (2) Greater abuse of non-Muslims Shi’a imam was more endured; even Sunni’s were oppressed .

Thursday, July 30, 2020

Is Neglecting Your Physical Well-Being Affecting Your Work Productivity

Is Neglecting Your Physical Well-Being Affecting Your Work Productivity This week I learned the importance of exercise in my work productivity. A top business strategist, Tony Jeary, was asked in the August 2017 edition of Success Magazine for some quick leadership tips. The person asking owned a company that had just expanded from a two-person startup to a ten-person operation. He claimed to have “no management experience.” I expected answers like learn everything you can about management, listen to your employees, create a clear mission and vision, and commit to your personal growth. I expected him to warn against errors like the ones I wrote about last week in The 9 Biggest Mistakes a Leader Can Make. Jeary gave four pieces of advice. And while three of his answers were along the lines I had anticipated, I was surprised that this one made the top four: “Take care of yourself. Eat well, sleep enough and exercise regularly.” The “exercise regularly” part stood out for me in particular. This is great advice for everyone, whether you’re expanding a company from two to ten, or you’re an entry-level employee, a CEO, the owner of a start-up, or somewhere in between. A Harvard Business Review article went so far as to claim that Regular Exercise is Part of Your Job because of its mental benefits (improved concentration, sharper memory, faster learning, prolonged mental stamina, enhanced creativity, and lower stress). And exercise is especially important as a job seeker. It will bring structure and energy to your day, which is key to a successful, productive job search. All it takes is a quick Google search to see at least one recruiter’s assertion that exercise is one of the most important parts of the job search. Excusing vs. Exercising Most of us know the advantages of regular exercise: It eases stress, increases work productivity, reduces sick days, boosts confidence, improves sleep, gives you energy, and releases positive, mood-enhancing chemicals into your brain that ward off anxiety and depression. Some of these benefits are outlined in an article from Livestrong.com, How Does Exercise Improve Work Productivity? Who wouldn’t want all those benefits? Yes, we know we could have them, and we want them! But knowing is not doing, and many of us regularly make up excuses rather than take care of our bodies. “I need to sleep!” “I have to work.” “I have to make lunch for the kids.” “I have a cold.” “My back hurts.” Or simply, “I don’t feel like it.” I grew up with a condition that makes me prone to breaking bones, and I was taught that daily exercise was essential to minimizing fractures. Believe it or not, I internalized that advice, and have exercised daily for as long as I can remember. For the past 20 years or so I have done yoga or gone swimming almost every day, with a few phases of walking or working out when injuries prevented me from my go-to activities. But here’s the catch: I wasn’t lifting weights almost ever, or doing much walking or jumping â€" the impact activities that truly increase bone density. My excuse? “I’m in shape.” “I already spend an hour exercising every day.” “I don’t have time to do everything!” Then, three weeks ago, on an impulse, I started an intensive fitness program that entails weight lifting, ball throwing, tire flipping, jumping in various ways, and other muscle-building, bone-building activities. I have managed to fit in these workouts five days/week, and somehow still to get everything done that I have needed to for my business. I’ve built muscle and lost some extra pounds without changing what I eat. Plus, I have been in a better mood and made more sales than I did in the weeks before I started this program. Coincidence? Probably not. What would inspire you to prioritize exercise, if you’re not doing so already? What motivated me to make this change was that I got a substantial gift certificate for a well-reputed program, and I love a good deal. I was also curious to find out more about my body composition and to see if I could bring it to a more ideal balance. I started the program and liked how I felt in my body so much that I kept going, way more often than I expected. I like the attention and encouragement I get from the trainers, and I look forward to seeing them each day. And my numbers have been going in the right direction, which for me is very motivating. What is it for you? Is there a type of movement you enjoy? Is it walking, running, biking, dancing, swimming, lifting weights? If you’re a social person, would having a workout buddy help? Maybe even a different buddy each day? What about working out as a family activity? Would you show up to a group exercise class (Zumba or Water Zumba anyone?) if you put it on your schedule? If not, what if you paid in advance and would lose your fee if you ditched the class? Maybe the option of multitasking would make the difference for you. If you have work calls to make, can you make them from the treadmill? Maybe you could answer emails while on a stationary bike or elliptical machine. If you love listening to music, exercise time could be your opportunity to get lost in your favorite tunes. Or if there are shows you like to watch, perhaps you could watch them from a home exercise room. Exercising can also be a form of meditation â€" swimming plays that role for me, and I know others who walk to clear their minds. So if you’re not making time to meditate, at least make time to exercise! Some people will get into gear for a competition. There are lots of opportunities for that, whether it’s a marathon, a charity walk, run or ride, or a friendly competition between friends (in person or using a fitness app). For more ideas, see 29 Ways to Get Motivated to Work Out. I like some of these! Or check out the 25 Best Fitness Apps of 2017 for some technological support on your fitness goals. And please share your experience… Do you notice a difference in your work productivity when you exercise regularly? What’s working for you?

Friday, May 22, 2020

Conformity Essay - 786 Words

A Japanese proverb says, quot;The nail that sticks out will be hammered down.quot; Society tries to place many rules on us as individuals as to what is acceptable and what is not. We must decide for ourselves whether to conform to such a social decorum. We are taught as soon as we are old enough to grasp the idea that it is bad to be unique and to avoid being different. At some point, however, we must decide within ourselves whether to spend every day trying to be like everyone else because society says we should or living each day true to ourselves. Our strength as a person is proven through what we decide. E. E. Cummings once said, quot;To be nobody but yourself-in a world which is doing its best night and day to make you like†¦show more content†¦We are simply told how to solve a problem or accomplish a task. We are never taught why or how something works. If we do not attempt to break out of that mold, we will never get to the point where we wonder why or how things work . A young child constantly asks quot;why?quot; He has yet to realize that it does not matter, according to teachers and leaders of society, why the sky is blue. It only matters that it is blue. Perhaps there is an underlying fear that if we begin to question innocent things like the color of the sky we will one day begin to question government policies, etc. Then we might discover that many quot;great leadersquot; in this world have convinced us to believe their version of the truth. quot;To be great is to be misunderstood†¦quot; (Ralph Waldo Emerson, Self-Reliance). The greatest people in the history of the world were misunderstood. If we want to be great, we can safely assume that we must be willing to be misunderstood. However, we cannot be misunderstood if we conform to the standards of society. If we act and think and talk exactly as everyone else, we will never run the risk of being taken the wrong way. Therefore, by being ourselves we are grouped with the some of the greatest people who ever lived. We may not reach their ranks of fame simply by being ourselves, but, in essence, we are just as great as they are in that we have the strength to be ourselves. It has been said that fools seldom differ. So if we were notShow MoreRelatedConformity Vs. Conformity Theory1713 Words   |  7 PagesConformity theory is used to explain why people eat bugs, smoke cigarettes, enjoy boring tasks, following trending wardrobe styles, and under appreciate enticing opti ons (Jones Mills, 1999). These tactics are performed in an effort to maintain consistent views among group members and reduce the number of attitude conflicts and tension (Matz Wood, 2005). Conformity will be defined as changing one’s own response to be consistent with other group member’s responses (Asch, 1955b). Asch’s work supportsRead More Conformity Essay1362 Words   |  6 Pagesto Leon Mann, conformity means ‘yielding to group pressures’. Everyone is a member of one group or another and everyone expects members of these groups to behave in certain ways. If you are a member of an identifiable group you are expected to behave appropriately to it. If you don’t confirm and behave appropriately you are likely to be rejected by the group. Like stereotypes, conforming and expecting others to conform maintains cognitive balance. There are several kinds of conformity. Many studiesRead MoreConformity Is The Most Popular Form Of Conformity909 Words   |  4 Pageswho matter don t mind.† Through this quote, the foundation of conformity is uprooted from its murky hovel and is disputed with. Despite, though, how many people preach these words, they still succumb to the mind numbing effects without even realizing it, because they are not fully aware of the causes of this topic. That is why one needs to understand the causes of conformity before preventing the effects. The three causes of conformity include: changing how one acts to avoid the rejection of theirRead MoreConformity And Its Effect On Society1431 Words   |  6 Pagessociety if they don’t stick out with ideas opposite or different to the â€Å"main stream†. To answer the question what is CONFORMITY we ca use the description of psychologists who described it as: The most general concept and refers to any change in behaviour caused by another person or group; the individual acted in some way because of influence from others. (Breckler, 2006) Conformity can be caused by different reasons. For some people it will be a way of looking for clues of how to behave, as otherRead MoreEssay on Conformity and Rebellion834 Words   |  4 PagesA certain amount of conformity needs to exist in life in order to avoid disorder. This is the reason we have laws. Take those laws, rules, control, or even expectations, to an extreme, and some form of rebellion is probable. Struggle with these opposites, and you have a catalyst for war, or perhaps, being fired from a job. Literature represents life, and this theme can be found at the root of many literary works. â€Å"The Lottery,† by Shirley Jackson, reflects blind conformity by the villagers withRead MorePersuasive Essay On Conformity1016 Words   |  5 Pages Conformity is killing the beauties of individualities Should we blame society or ourselves for conforming? As a struggling college student, today we are continually attempting to fit in and discover their place and role in society. Drug and alcohol abuse are turning into the responses for us so we do not have to deal with the social expectations of society. 3 out of 4 of high schoolers have reported that school stress is the reason behind it (12 Keys Rehab, 2013). Imagine there were 4 people inRead MoreLeadership And Teams : Conformity1278 Words   |  6 PagesLeadership and Teams – Conformity Conformity continues to be an expectation and need in many groups. The ability for a group to resolve differences or come up with the required conclusion could require that one or more people in the group need to conform with a premise that the majority considers. This paper will present answers to the following questions. Does the desire to be accepted as a part of a group leave one susceptible to conforming to the group’s norms? Can a group exert pressure that’sRead MoreConformity And Its Effect On Society Essay1436 Words   |  6 Pagesfrom home for the first time, take on many obstacles. Along with the difficulties of balancing academics, self care and missing home, students face immense pressures from their peers. Conformity is the alteration of a behavior due to the influence of others, regardless of if their presence is real or imagined. Conformity often occurs in groups, and because groups are a very common and important in college, it becomes a time in one ’s life when pressure is extremely high. My group of girls are tightlyRead MoreConformity and Individuality Essay933 Words   |  4 PagesConformity Speech I strongly believe that individuality should be valued over conformity. Today I will tell you how precious and rare individuality is, and why we should value it over conformity. As human beings, our lives are circled around a thin line that separates conformity and individuality. There are countless times when we are confused about whether our choice was made by others, or yourself. Deep inside, we all want to be liked; we all want to be loved, we all crave the warm feelings ofRead MoreConformity vs. Individuality1437 Words   |  6 PagesConformity versus individuality Willa Cathers Pauls Case, displays the conflict between conformity and individuality through the main character, Paul. On a number of occasions, Paul is forced to lie and steal to escape the conformists who wish to control him and stifle his unique imagination. However, his lying, stealing, and attempts to escape the conformists, only force Paul into isolation, depression, and feeling a sense of shame for his individuality. Throughout the story one might see

Sunday, May 10, 2020

What Everyone Is Saying About Julius Caesar Essay Topics Is Wrong and Why

What Everyone Is Saying About Julius Caesar Essay Topics Is Wrong and Why Although the conspirators are the principal antagonists, they aren't the only characters using manipulation to reach their ends. This demonstrates he knows the way to use brain rather than force and violence to receive whatever he wants. Cassius exits to tackle another region of the crowd. Cassius exits to address another portion of the group. We are going to take a look straight away. It couldn't take days to go for an outfit. An excellent leader has to be able to create his own decisions because if he cannot, he is going to be considered a weak leader. A nation's leader has to be in a position to communicate with the folks as well because if he gets the folks of the nation to listen, then his job would be a lot simpler. If you're trying to find F 451 essay help, there's present a few ideas which may be of assistance. If you're looking for top essay writing companies, try out the mentioned above. More or less every essay starts off with an exceptional issue idea. There are numerous essay writing services that think they're the very best, and thus don't be cheated and check the authentic list of the very best. This writing company makes sure their papers are all the excellent quality and all the customers are pleased. Our staff creators wish to aid you to publish a wonderful essay on a selection of subjects. If you're on the lookout for F 451 essay help, there's present a couple of recommendations that might be of assistance. The issue is that most students aren't very good academic writers. 1 sort of essay is expository, which intends to explain or describe a notion. It's a profession where the therapist applies some manual tactics, and could apply at adjunctive therapies. Your summarize is really essentially the most significant segments of the publishing procedure, so make sure to set in the majority of hard work. To find out more about essay writing, have a look at this page. DRUID'S CIRCLES A Druid's Circle is a favorite name for circles of standing stones like Stonehenge, that's the most renowned example. No matter the reason, everyone knows that you'd like to reveal throughout the best essay feasible. The topic ought to be relatively complex, but not so challenging. Every one of these topics asks for descriptions or explanation on unique facets of the play. In the event you accomplish lots of exploration, and have superb info, you will most probably compose an exceptionally strong newspaper on Caesar. Although this excerpt was proofread, occasional errors may appear as a result of the scanning approach. It's an error of only a single day about every 3,225 decades. History has such means of turning around. The End of Julius Caesar Essay Topics Julius Caesar is the man who was praised for what Rome managed to achieve at that moment. He starts out with power and of course he does not want to listen to other people. He came up with a brilliant plan to quickly defeat Pompey's scattered forces and gain control of Rome. He was a significant author. This lie is critical to the narrative for the reason that it convinces Caesar to attend the senate where his murder happens. Brutus' very first statement to the crowds is they should listen to him because he's honorable, which ought to engender respect for him. The creators who've supplied this sort of wonderful help inside this report, will be quite delighted to compose your Julius Caesar essay for everybody. In case you really accomplish a good deal of investigation, and take outstanding notes, you will almost certainly write an unbelievably productive paper on Caesar. Brutus is the sole conspirator who doesn't act out of jealousy and envy. Brutus is extremely near Caesar. Then Brutus makes the decision to kill himself. Marcus Brutus had an extremely important part in the conspiracy against Caesar.

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Promotion Strategies Free Essays

For many years I have been considering the idea of learning a foreign language: for example, Italian or Spanish. I was always interested in foreign languages and linguistics, especially in European languages of Latin origin. Besides, some of my far relatives have Italian roots and can speak Italian very good. We will write a custom essay sample on Promotion Strategies or any similar topic only for you Order Now I could hear this language occasionally since my childhood and was truly fascinated with its melodiousness and beauty. But, unfortunately, I did not have a good deal of free time for learning a second language when I was studying in high school, because I had to take care about my little brother. This summer when I was staying with my family in my home town, I saw an attractive bright advertisement in a local newspaper. This ad was informing people about opening new language learning facilities and inviting people to join the lessons. Unfortunately, the newspaper was a little old and I was late to enter the course. Nevertheless, to my mind, advertising in a newspaper was a good promotional idea, because it was necessary to attract attention of general public and inform target audience about opening the course. Three-four weeks later I bought a fresh newspaper and found there an article about that language school. The article was not only informing about opening some extra courses, but also presenting opinions of the students and interviews with some teachers. Publicity, as an element of promotional mix, was also quite successful technique, because a great deal of potential customers of such courses are young businessmen or officials, who plan to join international enterprises and are regular readers of newspapers. In addition, the author of the article gave detailed explanations as to the company’s discount policy. In particular, students and youth were offered up to 20% discount. Besides, those who could bring â€Å"a friend† as one more student of the course could receive extra 10% discount. Certainly, in such situation discounts are also among the most effective elements of sales promotion, because language courses can be interesting for students and even for teenagers, who can be financially embarrassed. Couple of days later I visited my favorite bookstore in the center of the city and saw there a promotion agent, who was distributing flyers and leaflets to potential students of the course. He also had a variety of other promotional materials: for example, he was giving a pen and a colorful notebook to the people, who were entering their names to his list and intended to join the course. Probably, this was a little less effective strategy, because there were not many people in the bookstore who could be really interested in language courses. But it was a good opportunity to talk to a representative of the school about the details of their programs. In addition, the company spent a lot of resources for advertising their services in Internet. An up-to-date site was created, which had all necessary information about the lessons and was quite easy to navigate.   Besides, I could see their banners and small ads on other local Internet sites, attracting attention of numerous Internet users. I suppose that this strategy could also bring good results, because nowadays everyone uses Internet and it is easy to reach potential customers through the web. Finally, there was one more very interesting promotional technique, which was directed not only on attracting new customers, but also on challenging and stimulating the students to achieve great success in learning languages. As I could learn from Internet site of the language school, they were going to award the best students of the courses with different prizes, including a trip to the West Rim of the Great Canyon. I suppose, this is one of the best promotional ideas, which can bring to very good outcomes. Unfortunately, I could not join the class of Italian because it would take me minimum three months to complete the first level. But I had to be back to university to continue my study. Nevertheless, it was an amazing opportunity for me to observe how different promotional strategies work and can be effective in this particular marketing environment. I have to admit that marketing specialists of the language school were very well qualified, and they managed to organize a very successful promotion campaign. Bibliography: PACE, Unit 15. (2001) Promotional Basics [Brochure]. The Center on Education and Training for Employment, The Ohio State University. OH: Columbus. How to cite Promotion Strategies, Essay examples

Wednesday, April 29, 2020

Zulu and Yoruba Religions an Example by

Zulu and Yoruba Religions The Zulu consider real anything that holds power, but particularly the supreme God of the Sky, the ancestors (whom the Zulu revere), and medicine. Diviners (who may be either male or female) are particularly real because they diagnose problems, offer solutions, and mediate between the Zulu and the divine forces, and the ancestral spirits determine their roles and status (not every Zulu is entitled to mediate between spirits and humans). In addition, herbalists (who are mostly male) enjoy special significance; though most Zulu have some familiarity with herbal medicine, only a select few can attain special proficiency and status. Need essay sample on "Zulu and Yoruba Religions" topic? We will write a custom essay sample specifically for you Proceed Students Very Often Tell EssayLab writers: Where can I get help for writing macbeth essay? EssayLab specialists advise: Here Is Your Life Vest! 5 Steps To An EssayHow To Write An Essay FastBuy 1000 Word EssayResearch Paper HelpWrite My Paper For MeCollege PapersCoursework Writing ServiceCustom Essay Writing Service The Zulus' most important religious purposes include rooting out sources of destruction and social disruption, because the Zulu value harmony and order; thus, having a sense of control over their lives (as a group rather than as individuals) is vital. Their rituals are thus geared toward this maintenance of order and control, and refusing to properly worship these forces represents a serious threat to their society, not simply a breach of practice. At the personal level, they value the intricate social relationships that exist in their villages, as well as the ties to their ancestors (whom the Zulu believe live in the earth, the main reason why cattle enclosures at the center of each village are sacred). The Zulu consider witchcraft and sorcery dangerous because witches "derive their power from, and base their operations in, a shadowy world that is neither that of the ancestors nor that of the God of the Sky" (37). They defy the ancestors by ignoring the proper rites and rituals, as well as threatening public order. Among the more desirable aspects of Zulu religious and social life are praise (frequently part of their rituals), harmony, solidarity (as expressed in the role of ritual), maintaining proper relations to their ancestors, and the sense of control over their destiny and environment that their religious life helps them attain. The Yoruba share key aspects of their religion with the Zulu, but their more urban-based, decentralized society reflects in their religious beliefs and practices. It is more complex, prompting Earhart to joke, "The diversity of Yoruba thought and practice is so great that some scholars - tongue in cheek - recommend studying its art instead" (Earhart 61). The most real aspects of Yoruba religion are the holy Nigerian city of Ife and the dominance of the deities orisa (who are approachable through ritual) and olorun (a remote, supreme god approachable only through mediators). In addition, lesser spiritual power exists in villages, all physical objects, and in people as well. They consider discovering and living according to their destiny most important, as shaped by their adherence to ritual, deference to authority, and maintenance of group solidarity. (Like the Zulu, the Yoruba value herbal medicine and diviners, though any Yoruba can be a diviner and Yoruba herbalists have more of a divine role than their Zulu counterparts do.) In addition, they value. The Yoruba consider witches and sorcerers dangerous because they defy traditions, social harmony, and religious conventions. In addition, the trickster god Esu can be dangerous because he is fickle; thus, he must be recognized and respected in Yoruba rituals in order to win his favor and that of the olorun. In addition, unbalanced people who fail to properly revere the ancestors, gods, and earthly authorities. They consider being spiritually balanced (through honors to ancestors and gods, such as the fickle Esu) a desirable object in life, because such people heed divine forces and thus help bring good fortune to themselves and their people. Divinity and community for the Zulu are more spatially concentrated, since they center on two chief locations - the kraal, or cattle enclosure around which Zulu villages form a ring, and on the hills surrounding Zulu villages. Because they believe that their ancestors reside in the earth, the kraal around which circle-shaped Zulu villages are built is sacred ground, the location of most Zulu religious activity and social rituals. Major events in life, such as marriages, coming of age, death, and others, involve rituals that take place in this space, which symbolizes the contact and constant presence the Zulu feel with their ancestral spirits. In addition, the hills surrounding Zulu villages are important because they are sites where the Zulu can directly commune with the God of the Sky, their supreme deity. Zulu communities place village headmen at the top of not only the secular hierarchy but also in control of religious life. They serve as priests as well as playing social and political roles, mediating between the worshippers and spirits and leading in both the religious and secular realms. According to Earhart, "These ancestors require reverence and devotion, and the [village headman] ensures that both in attitude and in act the members of the community . . . perform their religious duty" (Earhart 35). Adhering to the headman's authority is a key component of maintaining proper relations with ancestors as well as with fellow villagers. In a society where balance and respect matter utmost, their sense of community is defined by the networks of social relationships that bridge the earthly and spiritual, tying the living to the ancestors and gods. Among the Yoruba, whose society is more physically dispersed and significantly more urbanized than that of the Zulu, both divinity and community are more complex. Not only does it have a somewhat more abstract sense of community, with a sacred central city and lesser power dispersed from this site throughout the Yoruba world, but it also operates on more levels, with more layers of mediation between worshippers and deities than the relatively less complex Zulu religion. The Yoruba community, on the other hand, is more physically dispersed and decentralized, with Ife the most important religious site because of its connections to the god Orisa-nla, whose first acts of creation occurred there (Earhart 61). (This is somewhat similar to the importance of Jerusalem in the major Western faiths, being the spiritual center of their world.) In addition, many other places in Yoruba society have a lesser but nonetheless vital spiritual importance. The Yoruba believe that their towns and local chiefs derive their power directly from Ife, which exerts a powerful spiritual influence throughout Yoruba lands and determines who should wield such power. In addition, Yoruba divinity takes place in a variety of sites, not simply in the kraal or hills as in the Zulu tradition. Yoruba homes often have shrines where family-centered worship occurs, and the town has a higher level of spiritual and social importance (under the chief's spiritual leadership), demonstrating a more complex social hierarchy and corresponding religious practice. The ancestors are not shared in such a broadly common way among the Yoruba, because ancestor worship is centered more at home than in a common holy space. As with the Zulu, the Yoruba depend on religion to maintain a strong sense of community and seek harmonious relations with divine forces. However, they differ on spatial and hierarchical grounds; the Zulu world is more village-centered, with simpler spiritual and religious hierarchies. The Yoruba reflect their more dispersed and urbanized society in their religion, which has more levels of deities and spiritual practices and protocols. Reference Earhart, H. Byron. Ed. Religious Traditions of the World. New York: HarperCollins, 1993.