Human Relations Area Files

HRAF 75th Anniversary Retrospective

The Human Relations Area Files at Yale University has enjoyed a wonderful year in celebration of HRAF’s 75th Anniversary. On February 26, 1949, delegates from Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Oklahoma,…

Investigating Near-Death Experiences With eHRAF World Cultures

By Michael Kimball Professor, Department of Anthropology College of Humanities & Social Sciences University of Northern Colorado In 2016, as I was writing my interdisciplinary cultural anthropology textbook, Ethnowise, I needed ethnographic snippets to enhance…

Celebrating the Vernal Equinox

Francine Barone The vernal equinox marks the beginning of Spring, representing the moment when the sun passes directly over the equator. This time of year is known for its many cultural and religious celebrations. For…

HRAF 2024 in Review & 2025 Preview

Francine Barone It’s time for our annual Year in Review. This article will summarize HRAF’s activities from the previous year as well as describe what you can expect to see from us over the next…

Luck of the Irish: Folklore and fairies in Rural Ireland

If the month of March has you seeing shamrocks, it might be a good time to brush up on your knowledge of Irish culture. The Rural Irish collection in eHRAF World Cultures is a great…