A conference this weekend at the University of Winnipeg will examine Mennonites and anthropology, the study of human behaviour and culture. The event is being hosted by the Centre for Transnational Mennonite Studies. Royden Loewen, Chair in Mennonite studies, says the conference is open to the public and explains what people can expect to learn from it.

"You will gain a fuller understanding of who the Mennonites are. This is the first time ever that anthropologists have gotten together to ask this question. Typically, it's historians who help shed light on who the Mennonites are and, sometimes, sociologists and often times, literature. But now the question is about culture and; How is it lived out today in their everyday life? I think it's a unique perspective that will help us understand who Mennonites are, both here and around the world because this is very much a global gathering and will give perspective on how Mennonites have become a global people."

Loewen says they have anthropologists coming from around the world to shed light on this topic.

"It's a first-ever gathering of anthropologists from around the world who will ask; How does anthropology help us understand how Mennonites make sense of life? We've got folks from Japan, England, the U.S. and quite a number from Paraguay and Canada, so I think we will have quite a dynamic conversation."

In essence, Loewen says the event will examine how Mennonites think that what they are doing is Mennonite.

The conference takes place all day Friday and Saturday at the University of Winnipeg and is free of charge.

More information is available on the website of the Centre for Transnational Mennonite Studies.