The Way 'Other' Is Represented in Popular Culture Orientalism and Primitivism

The Way 'Other' Is Represented in Popular Culture: Orientalism and Primitivism ANTH 2301 Overview Important insights into human behaviour and cultural expression may be gained from anthropology. Concepts of primitivism and orientalism are frequently used in modern popular culture to represent other civilisations, producing a false contrast between the 'civilised' West and the 'exotic' East. This article examines the ways in which orientalism and primitivism permeate popular culture, frequently simplifying and distorting a variety of civilisations to produce this binary viewpoint, which results in false impressions that diminish the depth of the cultures that are portrayed. Primitivism: A Reduced Perspective on Indigenous Traditions Popular culture portrayals of indigenous lives that romanticise them while frequently removing context and complexity are examples of primitivism. For example, films like "Avatar" perpetuate a stereotype of indigenous peoples by portraying them as heroic savages who embodied idealised spirituality and peace with nature. These portrayals can be problematic because they reduce these communities to mere symbols of primitivity that feed Western fantasies, ignoring the sociopolitical reality and diversity of identities inside them. Orientalism – The Stranger The term "orientalism" describes how Eastern cultures are portrayed in the West as strange, archaic, and exotic. This is clear from the way Middle Eastern societies are portrayed in stories and films like "Aladdin" and "The Mummy," which use myth and fantasy to frame their narratives. The complex reality of the many cultures that exist in these areas are not presented in these myths, which frequently serve to perpetuate preconceptions of the East as being violent and extremely mystical. A narrative that portrays Western culture as better and logical in contrast to the perceived chaos and irrationality of Eastern culture is fuelled by the obsession with the "Other." Primitivism and Orientalism's Effect on Cultural Perception Beyond simple depiction, primitivism and orientalism have a profound impact on how society views and engages with the "Other" in popular culture. For instance, the well-known video game series "Far Cry" uses orientalism and primitivism tropes to show Western protagonists as the saviours and depict fictional, non-Western settings as dangerous and barbaric. This fosters a shallow and sometimes dangerous perception of non-Western nations, perpetuating negative stereotypes while simultaneously changing public perception and respect for real cultures. In summary In conclusion, there is a clear gap between the represented civilisations and their actual complexity, which is shown by the way that primitivism and orientalism are portrayed in popular culture. The Westernisation and distortion of these cultures by popular media leads to a general misperception that impedes genuine cross-cultural understanding and interaction. It is essential to critically examine these representations in order to promote a more thoughtful and nuanced comprehension of various world cultures. Citations E.W. Said (1978). Orientalism. Pantheon Publishing C. Murray (2011). Ancient Art in Civilised Environments. Chicago University Press H.K. Bhabha (1994). Where Culture Is Found. Publishers K. Roberts (2015). Art Nouveau meets Primitivism. Yale University Press H. White (2015). The Concept of Cultural Appropriation: A Response to the Debate. Sociological Anthropology