History

The idea of an Anthropology Society was dreamed up by Dr Paul Sant Cassia in 1992. Dr Sant Cassia claims that “students of anthropology are a bit different”. Elaborating, he explains that students of Anthropology generally do not merely want to obtain a University degree; they also want to learn something about the world, as well as themselves. The society gives students and graduates the opportunity to live and experience what they are studying or have studied. Anthropology is not only carried out in terms of books, the lab is “out there”, so a student can “do anything, wherever [he or she] like[s]”.

The Malta Anthropology Society would also serve to eliminate prejudice against the subject and highlight the importance of applied anthropology. Although career prospects in anthropology are immensely limited, applied anthropology offers a vast variety. Anthropology can be functional in many fields: business, politics, public relations, journalism, research…

Dr Sant Cassia approached Dr Nadia Theuma, the only student reading for a Masters degree in Anthropology at the time, who set up the society with Dr. David Zammit and Ms. Rachel Radmilli.

The first activity organised by the society was the Ethnic Meal, which was held at Christmas time. The eager anthropologists-in-the-making cooked traditional food from various countries and attracted numerous students from various faculties. From that day on the society has never looked back.

The society has organised various events, uniting religions, traditions, newsletters, gastronomy, conferences, videos and fun. However, the main focus has always been to increase anthropological awareness among the Maltese society, and to promote the importance of applied anthropology.