Homo Localis. Interpreting Cultural Identity as Spirit of Place

In this study I will try to analyze the physical, logical and phenomenological relations existing between the place where people actually live and the specificity of their culture. The biggest challenge comes from the nomadic cultures where this is not at all obvious. I am interested in showing to what extent the spirit of place governs any cultural synthesis, any acculturation and impose its stylistic mark on both sedentary and nomadic cultures. I will emphasize the importance of some spatial elements that shape the cultural specificity: the geographic placement and proximity, elements which are sometimes more important than heredity or tradition in configuring the cultural identity.