https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/126358 Sun, 12 Apr 2026 09:41:58 GMT 2026-04-12T09:41:58Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/126589 Title: Bodies in motion : researching the perceptions of body and self in somatic dance Abstract: This dissertation examines the transformative potential of somatic dance classes on participants’ self-perception and body image. Drawing upon literature from dance anthropology and the anthropology of the body, the research explores the relationship and interconnectedness of the individual, social and political bodies within spaces that challenge conventional norms of presentation and behaviour. While scholarly interest in the cross-cultural significance of dance as a natural part of human behaviour has grown, fewer studies have been made on the topic of somatic practices and the embodied experience within this dance form. The holistic nature of somatic dance renders it a compelling subject in the shaping of individual and collective identities, as well as fostering community among participants. This study endeavours to elucidate the influence of dance on the perception of self and the body, guided by empirical data. By delving into the ritualistic aspects of the dance classes, participants’ progression through liminal stages is examined, shedding light on the transformation of their individual and social identities within the dance space and its reverberations in their broader social spheres. Fieldwork encompassed three months of active participation in weekly dance classes, supplemented by semistructured interviews with three participants and one instructor. By engaging with literature, this dissertation seeks to depict the various factors that come into play within somatic dance classes, and how participants use somatic movement to enhance their wellbeing. Description: B.A. (Hons)(Melit.) Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/126589 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/126588 Title: Beyond the field : an anthropological perspective on gender, identity and sport in ladies Gaelic football in contemporary Irish society Abstract: This study delves into the interplay between Gaelic football and Irish nationalism, focusing on a Senior Ladies’s Gaelic football team in the Republic of Ireland. Gaelic football is an indigenous Irish sport However, this dissertation primarily explores the less overt connections to national identity experienced by members of this team. Through immersive participant observation, this research illuminates the ubiquity and nuanced nationalist ideologies pervading Gaelic football. Highlighting Gaelic football's defining characteristics, such as its amateur status and strict rules of membership tied up in local parish boundaries, a unique identity that solidifies individual membership within the nation is revealed. Life stories of players and community members reveal Gaelic football as a multifaceted symbol of various aspects of Irish life, impacting social identity construction. This study, with an awareness of gender-based experiences, suggests that Gaelic football serves as a measure for assessing social progress in Ireland. Description: B.A. (Hons)(Melit.) Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/126588 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/126587 Title: The position of self-monitoring glucose meters in the conceptualisation of diabetes in Malta Abstract: As the Maltese islands continue to face an ever-increasing diabetes epidemic, this dissertation aims to examine the effect self-monitoring glucose meters, devices which have been rolled out across the country, are having on the conceptualisation of the condition. The data addressed within this study was collected through the use of semi-structured interviews and participant observation conducted over three months in Malta with five participants with type 2 diabetes and a leading healthcare professional. Through this fieldwork I was able to observe and interact with my participants’ lived experience of diabetes via a means that has so far not been capitalized upon; through the device itself. In doing so I was able to witness the complex and creative incorporation of the device and the condition, as my participants brought diabetes into the fold of their lives through the creative applications of their devices. Such incorporation stemmed from their initial models of disease, the body and health, as they fused everything into new conceptual models and conceptualisation rather than simplifying donning the notions and expectations of the medical system. Description: B.A. (Hons)(Melit.) Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/126587 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/126586 Title: Boas, breasts, and brassières : an exploration of female self-expression through burlesque in Malta Abstract: As a performance, burlesque is divisive and evokes many varied reactions, from the view that burlesque is objectifying the female body to the more liberal stance that pitches burlesque as liberating, allowing for the exploration of female sexuality. The aim of this dissertation is to understand why people enter the world of burlesque and what it means to be a female burlesque performer in Malta. I also examine how the costumes and accessories invite the performers to enact their show, how the performers interact with one another during classes, performance and in social settings. The relationship between performers and audience is also observed. I carried out ethnographic fieldwork by employing a combination of photovoice and participant observation, including embodied enquiry. Similar to previous research findings on burlesque, my findings show that burlesque can be body inclusive, fosters a sense of friendship and camaraderie and enhances creativity. In addition, I show that burlesque provides a safe space for transgression and transformation, where praise and encouragement is continually shown, and perfection is not the ultimate aim. A dominant theme that emerged was the sense of ambiguity and ambivalence inherent in burlesque. This uncertainty was reflected in the audience-performer interaction, in the participants’ experience with burlesque and in my own embodied experience when taking burlesque classes. I argue that burlesque seems to function best when it confuses, simultaneously attracting people while repelling others. Description: B.A. (Hons)(Melit.) Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/126586 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z