Zora Neale Hurston's anthropological work was profoundly influenced by her cultural background as an African American woman from the South. Raised in Eatonville, Florida, one of the first all-Black towns, she experienced a rich cultural heritage that celebrated African American traditions and folklore. This setting allowed her to immerse herself in the stories and oral traditions of her community, which greatly informed her anthropological studies. Hurston’s emphasis on the importance of culture, identity, and community in her work helped to illuminate the complexities of the African American experience and challenged prevailing stereotypes of her time.