Search Results (263)

The aim of this study is to identify the textile materials used to make Bulgarian folk costumes and to support the process of conservation and restoration of ethnographic objects. In the 18th and 19th centuries, folk costumes were made almost exclusively of natural materials, while in the first half and middle of the 20th century, they included contemporary synthetic and regenerated cellulose materials, as well as blends of these materials with natural fibers. A series of historical textiles and contemporary industrial fabrics were studied using a variety of analytical approaches, including micro-chemical staining and solubility tests, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), and infrared (IR) spectroscopy. IR measurements were carried out in attenuated total reflectance (ATR) and external reflectance (ER) modes using a portable IR spectrometer, which enabled non-invasive analysis. The analysis revealed that the composition of the industrial fabrics and historical textiles encompassed synthetic fibers, such as polyester and polyamide, while others were made of regenerated cellulose fibers like viscose. Additionally, some textiles had a mixed composition of cotton and polyester or silk and viscose. The combined analytical approach provided reliable identification of both the synthetic and natural textile materials. Full article

Vaccinium uliginosum (bog bilberry) is widely consumed in North America and Asia but has been historically avoided in many parts of Europe due to its alleged poisonous effects. We aimed to address this discrepancy in a systematic way with a combined phytochemical and ethnopharmacological approach, using UHPLC and UHPSFC for the chemical analysis, model organisms Caenorhabditis elegans and human liver cells GFP-Huh-7 for the bioactivity and toxicity testing, as well as fermentation experiments. Phytochemical analysis revealed minimal differences in the metabolite pattern between European and North American samples, with no evidence of toxic alkaloids or harmful secondary metabolites. Extracts exhibited no strongly toxic effects in the tested concentrations, neither in vitro (cell viability) nor in vivo (C. elegans). Berries infected by Monilinia megalospora showed altered flavonoid and anthocyanin contents but no increased toxicity. Notably, bog bilberries demonstrated a fermentation potential superior to Vaccinium myrtillus, resulting in an alcohol content of 4.8–5.8% ABV in unsweetened juices, thus potentially explaining historical accounts of inebriation. In conclusion, direct toxicity derived from these fruits is unlikely, but the alcohol content due to fruit fermentation is a plausible explanation for the folklore names (“drunk, inebriating berry”). However, additional factors such as human error, individual intolerance, or endophytic activity need to be considered. Full article

The first half of the 19th century witnessed the rise of Romantic poetry, which focused in depth on individual consciousness, inner worlds, and metaphysical inquiries. This poetic orientation became particularly evident in works centred on themes such as solitude, alienation, and existential quests. Within this context, the present study aims to examine the archetypal and poetic resonances of the poetic voice in Mihail Lermontov’s poem The Demon, based on its sixth and final version dated 1841, in relation to Nikoloz Baratashvili’s poem Secret Voice. Lermontov’s poem is analyzed through the English translation by Charles Johnston, published in 1983, while Baratashvili’s poem is discussed based on the 24-line version included in the fifth edition (1895) of the anthology Poems and Letters (Leksebi da Tserilebi). This study explores the thematic and structural similarities between the two poems within the framework of comparative literature and psychoanalytic criticism, focusing on Romantic archetypes, the uncanny, the shadow figure, and ontological solitude. Furthermore, the dialogue established between Lermontov’s demonic narrator and Baratashvili’s introspective poetic voice reopens discussions on the boundaries of cultural memory, oral narrative patterns, and poetic identity. Ultimately, this comparative analysis reveals the implicit influences of The Demon on Georgian poetry and discusses the intercultural resonances of themes such as voice, self, and archetype in Romantic poetry. Full article

Oxidative stress is a biological imbalance that contributes to cellular damage and is a major driver of aging and age-related disorders, prompting the search for natural antioxidant agents. Our study is a phytochemical, electrochemical, and biological characterization of the antioxidant potential of aqueous extracts from aerial parts of A. occidentale—leaves, bark, fruit, and cashew nuts—traditionally used in folklore medicine. Extracts were analyzed using FT-IR spectroscopy, GC × GC-TOFMS, polyphenol quantification, and antioxidant capacity assays (ABTS, FRAP, DPPH). Biological activity was tested in different mice and human cell lines (SH-SY5Y, MEF, ARPE-19, and HLECs). Aqueous extracts from the leaves and bark of A. occidentale exhibited significantly higher antioxidant activity compared to those from the fruit and cashew nut. These extracts showed elevated polyphenol content and strong performance in antioxidant capacity assays. In vitro, leaf and bark extracts enhanced cell viability under H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress, preserved mitochondrial membrane potential, and upregulated cytoprotective genes (HMOX1, NQO1, GCLC, and GCLM) in multiple cell lines. In contrast, fruit and nut extracts showed minimal antioxidant activity and no significant gene modulation. Our findings underscore the therapeutic potential of A. occidentale leaf and bark extracts as effective natural antioxidants and support their further development as candidates for phytotherapeutic interventions. Full article

This paper presents a conceptual and methodological framework for using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to “deep map” cultural heritage sites along Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way, with a focus on the 1588 Spanish Armada wrecks in County Kerry and archaeological landscapes in County Sligo’s “Yeats Country.” Drawing on interdisciplinary dialogues from the humanities, social sciences, and geospatial sciences, it illustrates how digital spatial technologies can excavate, preserve, and sustain intangible cultural knowledge embedded within such palimpsestic landscapes. Using MAXQDA 24 software to mine and code historical, literary, folkloric, and environmental texts, the study constructed bespoke GIS attribute tables and visualizations integrated with elevation models and open-source archaeological data. The result is a richly layered cartographic method that reveals the spectral and affective dimensions of heritage landscapes through climate, memory, literature, and spatial storytelling. By engaging with “deep mapping” and theories such as “Spectral Geography,” the research offers new avenues for sustainable heritage conservation, cultural tourism, and public education that are sensitive to both ecological and cultural resilience in the West of Ireland. Full article

The article is aimed at building on the existing studies devoted to the last stage of the assimilation policy directed at the Muslim population in Communist Bulgaria during the second half of the 1980s. The 40th anniversary of the forced change of the given Turkish–Arabic and Persian names of this population is an occasion to revisit this dark period of the recent past. This study focuses on the short- and long-term consequences of the political measures, which became known as the ‘Revival process’ (1984/1985–1989). For the first time, the author presents new written sources, including analytical and field reports commissioned by the Central Committee of the Bulgarian Communist Party and prepared by Bulgarian scholars during the second half of the 1980s, as well as later collected biographical data related to Muslims affected by the events, derived through an (auto)ethnographic method of research among Turks, Crimean Tatars and Muslim Roma. Full article

Background: Shirakiopsis indica (Willd.) (Family: Euphorbiaceae), a mangrove species found in the Asian region, is a popular folkloric plant. Locally, the plant is traditionally used to treat various types of ailments, especially for pain relief. Therefore, the current study investigates the neuropharmacological, antipyretic, thrombolytic, and anthelmintic properties of the S. indica fruit methanolic extract (SIF-ME). Methods: The neuropharmacological activity was evaluated using several bioactive assays, and the antipyretic effect was investigated using the yeast-induced pyrexia method, both in Swiss albino mice models. Human blood clot lysis was employed to assess thrombolytic activity, while in vitro anthelmintic characteristics were tested on Tubifex tubifex. Insights into phytochemicals from SIF-ME have also been reported from a literature review, which were further subjected to molecular docking, pass prediction, and ADME/T analysis and validated the wet-lab outcomes. Results: In the elevated plus maze test, SIF-ME at 400 mg/kg demonstrated significant anxiolytic effects (200.16 ± 1.76 s in the open arms, p < 0.001). SIF-ME-treated mice exhibited increased head dipping behavior and spent a longer time in the light box, confirming strong anxiolytic activity in the hole board and light–dark box tests, respectively. It (400 mg/kg) also significantly reduced depressive behavior during forced swimming and tail suspension tests (98.2 ± 3.83 s and 126.33 ± 1.20 s, respectively). The extract induced strong locomotor activity, causing mice’s mobility to gradually decrease over time in the open field and hole cross tests. The antipyretic effect of SIF-ME (400 mg/kg) was minimal using the yeast-induced pyrexia method, while it (100 μg/mL) killed T. tubifex in 69.33 ± 2.51 min, indicating a substantial anthelmintic action. SIF-ME significantly reduced blood clots by 67.74% (p < 0.001), compared to the control group’s 5.56%. The above findings have also been predicted by in silico molecular docking studies. According to the molecular docking studies, the extract’s constituents have binding affinities ranging from 0 to −10.2 kcal/mol for a variety of human target receptors, indicating possible pharmacological activity. Conclusions: These findings indicate that SIF-ME could serve as a promising natural source of compounds with neuropharmacological, anthelmintic, thrombolytic, and antipyretic properties. Full article

Folk art includes objects that are items for everyday use and, at the same time, gracefully reflect the Greek artistic point of view, drawing its inspiration from life itself, the environment and its beauties, and local tradition. An 18th c. wood-carved and painted chest coming from the famous wood-carved centers of Epirus in Greece is presented in this study. As the number of studies and the general bibliographical references are limited for these kinds of items, prior to interventive conservation, a protocol of analysis was followed to identify the damages, the construction materials, and previous alterations. The main goal of this study is to identify the component materials using non-destructive techniques. The methodology followed for the documentation of the artifact includes the following: a. digital microscopy to identify damage from insects, different cracks and losses on the gesso and paint surface, corrosion products, etc.; b. 3D imaging using a polycam, with special attention given to the inside decoration of the cap; c. IR and UV photography to identify any previous alterations or signs of alterations in the varnish layers; d. and XRF analysis to identify the three (3) main colors of the chest, such as the blue used extensively as a background, red, and white. Nevertheless, the Greek folklore painting palette is limited, and for this reason, this study can be a foundation for research on similar artifacts. Full article

This article critically examines the star persona of Lola Flores, an iconic Spanish flamenco artist, within the historical and political context of Francoist Spain (1939–1975). It argues that Flores’s carefully constructed star image not only persisted into post-Franco Spain but also served as a covert vehicle for the continued propagation of National-Falangist Catholic ideology. The article primarily focuses on two major productions: the book Lola en carne viva. Memorias de Lola Flores (1990) and the television series El coraje de vivir (1994). Both portray a linear and cohesive version of her life from childhood to her later years, carefully curated to defend and rehabilitate her image. While many view Flores as a self-made artist, the article argues that her star persona was a deliberate construct—shaped by Suevia Films, a major Francoist-era film studio, and media narratives that aligned her with traditional gender roles, Catholic values, and Spanish nationalism. Despite emerging in post-Franco Spain, Flores’s narrative does not mark a rupture from the ideological frameworks of the past. Instead, it repackages Francoist values—particularly those surrounding patriarchal gender norms, suffering, and the glorification of sacrifice—to ensure her continued relevance. Suevia Films (1951) played a significant role in shaping her star persona as a symbol of Spanish folklore, aligning her with Francoist ideals of nation, Catholic morality, and submissive femininity. Her image was used to promote Spain internationally as a welcoming and culturally rich destination. Her persona fit within Franco’s broader strategy of using flamenco and folklore to attract foreign tourism while maintaining tight ideological control over entertainment. Flores’s life is framed as a rags-to-riches story, which reinforces Social Spencerist ideology (a social Darwinist perspective) that hard work and endurance lead to success, rather than acknowledging systemic oppression under Francoism. Her personal struggles—poverty, romantic disappointments, accusations of collaboration with the Franco regime, and tax evasion—are framed as necessary trials that strengthen her character. This aligns with the Catholic ideal of redemptive suffering, reinforcing her status as the mater dolorosa (Sorrowful Mother) figure. This article highlights the contradictions in Flores’s gender performance—while she embodied passion and sensuality in flamenco, her offstage identity conformed to the submissive, self-sacrificing woman idealized by the Francoist Sección Femenina (SF). Even in her personal life, Flores’s narrative aligns with Francoist values—her father’s bar, La Fe de Pedro Flores, symbolizes the fusion of religion, nationalism, and traditional masculinity. Tico Medina plays a key role by framing Lola en carne viva as an “authentic” and unfiltered account. His portrayal is highly constructed, acting as her “defense lawyer” to counter criticisms. Flores’s autobiography is monologic—it suppresses alternative perspectives, ensuring that her version of events remains dominant and unquestioned. Rather than acknowledging structural oppression, the narrative glorifies suffering as a path to resilience, aligning with both Catholic doctrine and Francoist propaganda. The article ultimately deconstructs Lola Flores’s autobiographical myth, demonstrating that her public persona—both onstage and offstage—was a strategic construction that perpetuated Francoist ideals well beyond the dictatorship. While her image has been celebrated as a symbol of Spanish cultural identity, it also functioned as a tool for maintaining patriarchal and nationalist ideologies under the guise of entertainment. Full article

The objective of this scoping review was to map out the cultural themes related to oral health practices, beliefs, and experiences in Nigeria; explore mythologies about oral health in Nigeria; identify the perceived cultural significance of oral health within the Nigerian communities; and determine the implications of study findings for oral health promotion and intervention strategies. This was a scoping review. A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and CINAHL. Published studies in peer-reviewed journals written in English that investigated culture and oral health were included. All forms of literature reviews, editorials, or opinion pieces were excluded. Information on the study characteristics and population characteristics, cultural determinants of oral health, oral health outcomes, and the methods used to assess cultural factors and oral health outcomes was extracted. A narrative synthesis of the findings was conducted to identify key themes in the literature. The 37 articles, published between 1998 and 2024, that met the eligibility criteria wrote on the prevalence of a culture of self-medication and self-care, myths that affect utilization of oral health services, cultures that expose people to increased risk of poor oral health, and cultural norms, beliefs, and practices that facilitate oral health. The findings emphasize the need for culturally tailored strategies to improve oral health literacy and reduce disparities. This review underscores the potential to foster community engagement, trust, and sustainable improvements in oral health outcomes by aligning oral health promotion efforts with Nigeria’s culture. In conclusion, cultural norms, beliefs, and practices can be barriers and facilitate oral health in Nigeria. Identifying and understanding the norms, beliefs, and practices that affect oral health can help improve oral health education and promotion so that they are culturally relevant and effective. Full article

Chenopodium album L., as a folkloric herb, is traditionally used to treat poisonous insect bites, vitiligo, and other ailments. However, its impact on thrombosis remains unknown. In this study, we discovered that the ethanol extract of C. album exhibited a remarkable antithrombotic effect using a zebrafish thrombosis model for the first time. Activity evaluation showed that fraction CA-C could improve thrombus aggregation in the caudal vein, increase blood return in the heart, and alleviate the slowing of blood flow compared with those in the model group. Then, analysis by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) identified 58 constituents of CA-C, with most of them belonging to flavonoids, alkaloids, and steroidal saponin components. Moreover, using a comprehensive strategy of network pharmacological analysis, transcriptomic assay, and RT-qPCR validation, we found that CA-C could mediate the TLR’s signaling pathway and its downstream MAPKs and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways to exert an antithrombotic effect. This study broadens the clinical application of plant C. album and provides new insight into the chemical profile, pharmacodynamics, and potential mechanisms of CA-C as candidate agents for treating thrombosis. Full article

This essay examines the role of sophistic practices in elite French humanistic education, specifically “omniloquacity”, the ability to speak about any given subject. Drawing together intellectual history, cross-cultural comparisons, and educational testimonies, the essay elaborates a “pedagogical” version of sophistry in this French context that differs from more traditional “vocational” sophistries. Although I focus on the mid-twentieth century, I also consider earlier upheavals and Jesuit influences that shaped an agonistic culture of sophistic performances, challenging competitions, and ultimately, a certain esprit français associated with elite humanistic education. The history of rhetoric in France does not end with the demise of the rhetoric class in 1902, and takes on new meanings when considering the sophistic practices that outlived its nominal death. Full article

In Marie-Elena John’s 2006 novel Unburnable, Lillian Baptiste returns to Dominica from the United States intending to confront the secrets and traumas of her maternal family line. The novel structures Lillian’s developing apprehension of who her mother and grandmother were and what they endured in late-colonial Dominica around a series of revelations regarding each woman’s imbrication within the realm of the magico-spiritual, which includes magic, Obeah and their cognates; Catholicism; spells and curses; ghosts and other spirit manifestations; and extra-sensory perception. The reader comes to understand Lillian as (and sometimes before) Lillian comes to understand herself: the last in a line of magico-spiritually powerful women whose encounters with colonial catastrophe and its heteropatriarchal, racist–classist machinations are both figured through and navigated by way of that power. Where socioeconomic and political power may conventionally be regarded as the proper subject of realist fiction and social-science inquiry, and magico-spiritual power as within the ambit of magical-realist fiction and folklore studies, Unburnable proposes worldly and magico-spiritual power as inhabiting the same material, political and psycho-social plane of Caribbean reality: as mutually entangled, co-constituting, reciprocally illuminating and, above all, dually heritable forces. In this way, the novel issues an invitation to rethink questions of power in the shadow of the Caribbean plantation and consider anew the ways in which it is, on the one hand, hoarded, bequeathed and weaponized against the vulnerable and, on the other, fluid, arcane in its sources and workings, and susceptible to insurgent counter-deployments. Full article

Plant botanical extracts are recognized for being a source of biologically active phytochemicals that potentially have diverse applications. The phytochemical composition, potential cytotoxicity, and insecticidal effectiveness of three leaf extracts from the folkloric medicinal plant Mammea americana L. (Calophyllaceae) were investigated. Micro-Soxhlet extraction with chloroform, dichloromethane, and methanol was used, and key phytochemicals were identified via Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The extracts were mainly composed of sesquiterpenes, carboxylic acids, coumarins, esters, diterpenes, and other bioactive compounds. Potential cytotoxicity was assessed using brine shrimp lethality tests, where all extracts displayed high toxicity to Artemia salina. The dichloromethane extract (MAD) had the lowest LC₅₀ value (8.39 μg/mL), followed by methanol extract (MAM, 11.66 μg/mL) and chloroform extract (MAC, 12.67 μg/mL). Insecticidal activity was tested against Ferrisia sp. (Hemiptera:Pseudococcidae), demonstrating the highest efficacy with the methanolic extract (LC₅₀ = 5.90 mg/mL after 48 h). These findings provide a basis for further research into the bioactive components of Mammea americana leaves, particularly their antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. It also highlights the potential of Mammea americana L. leaf extracts as botanical insecticides due to their high bioactivity against agricultural pests of economic significance. This is the first study that evaluates the insecticidal activity of Mammea americana leaf extracts against Ferrisia sp. insects, offering valuable insights into using plant-based natural products in pest control. Full article

As Russian folklorist Vladimir Propp already set out in his monograph Theory and History of Folklore (1984), folktales, and in particular fairy tales, could preserve the remnants of myths and rites from very ancient stages of human civilisation, dating back to Prehistoric times themselves. The great Indoeuropeanist Georges Dumézil managed to confirm that the Slavic cultures are perhaps those which have best preserved the ancient rites to this day. As José Manuel Losada pointed out, the encounter with transcendence is one of the essential dimensions of myth that defines it and distinguishes it from other manifestations of human creativity. In this article, we will study the idea of immortality that can be found in Russian folktales as published by Aleksandr Afanasyev in his compilation (1855–1863) and trace back the remnants of the Indo-European religion and mythology that they can conceal. Full article