John Forrest is Professor Emeritus of anthropology at Purchase College, SUNY, where he was head of department for 19 years. His most recent publication is An Introduction to Holistic Anthropology ( March 2026, Wiley Blackwell). He continues his work on aesthetics and Biblical analysis as well as the ethnography of Southeast Asia.

• List of IllustrationsIntroductionChapter 1. Traditional CustomsChapter 2. Nationalism and EthnicityChapter 3. “Pagan” CustomsChapter 4. LineagesChapter 5. MarriageChapter 6. CapitalismChapter 7. SuperstitionsChapter 8. Words and PhrasesChapter 9. CreationChapter 10. Culture HeroesChapter 11. Children’s GamesChapter 12. NamesConclusionReferencesIndex

John Forrest is Professor Emeritus of anthropology at Purchase College, SUNY, where he was head of department for 19 years. His most recent publication is An Introduction to Holistic Anthropology ( March 2026, Wiley Blackwell). He continues his work on aesthetics and Biblical analysis as well as the ethnography of Southeast Asia.

• List of IllustrationsIntroductionChapter 1. Traditional CustomsChapter 2. Nationalism and EthnicityChapter 3. “Pagan” CustomsChapter 4. LineagesChapter 5. MarriageChapter 6. CapitalismChapter 7. SuperstitionsChapter 8. Words and PhrasesChapter 9. CreationChapter 10. Culture HeroesChapter 11. Children’s GamesChapter 12. NamesConclusionReferencesIndex

John Forrest is Professor Emeritus of anthropology at Purchase College, SUNY, where he was head of department for 19 years. His most recent publication is An Introduction to Holistic Anthropology ( March 2026, Wiley Blackwell). He continues his work on aesthetics and Biblical analysis as well as the ethnography of Southeast Asia.

• List of IllustrationsIntroductionChapter 1. Traditional CustomsChapter 2. Nationalism and EthnicityChapter 3. “Pagan” CustomsChapter 4. LineagesChapter 5. MarriageChapter 6. CapitalismChapter 7. SuperstitionsChapter 8. Words and PhrasesChapter 9. CreationChapter 10. Culture HeroesChapter 11. Children’s GamesChapter 12. NamesConclusionReferencesIndex