http://nurture.org.pk/index.php/NURTURE <p><em>Nurture</em> (Online ISSN: 1994-1633/ Print ISSN: 1994-1625) is a trans-disciplinary research journal which publishes articles from fields of physical and social sciences that have direct or indirect relevance to individuals, families, and communities such as family dynamics &amp; human development, economics, economic development, home economics, human ecology, business management &amp; sustainability, life management &amp; sustainability, food, nutrition &amp; wellness, design and visual studies, health informatics, health policy and management, educational psychology, higher education, human environment, housing and interiors, and textile and clothing. </p> <p>[<em>The Nurture (Online ISSN: 1994-1633/ Print ISSN: 1994-1625) announces that the publication frequency quarterly (4 issues per year: March, June, September, December) from 2023</em>]</p> Nurture Publishing Group en-US Nurture 1994-1625 http://nurture.org.pk/index.php/NURTURE/article/view/1058 <p>This paper examines Duan inkstones, a traditional cultural artifact from Guangdong, China, as tourist souvenirs through a semiotic lens. By analyzing the symbolic meanings, cultural connotations, and aesthetic expressions embedded in Duan inkstones, the study explores how tourists perceive and interpret these artifacts in the context of cultural tourism. Drawing on semiotic theory, the paper identifies three layers of meaning in Duan inkstones: material symbolism, cultural symbolism, and experiential symbolism. This study holds significant academic value and practical implications. Through interviews with tourists and analysis of purchasing behaviors, the study reveals that tourists value Duan inkstones not only for their artistic and historical significance but also for their role in constructing cultural identity and facilitating cross-cultural communication. The findings suggest that Duan inkstones serve as semiotic bridges connecting tourists to Chinese culture, offering insights into the dynamics of cultural consumption in tourism. It constructs a theoretical model to explore pathways for their visual transformation and material reconstruction, providing a methodological approach for differentiated innovation in souvenir design, and practically enhancing the cultural connotations and aesthetic qualities of such souvenirs and thereby strengthen their market competitiveness.</p> Caixia Wu Copyright (c) 2026 2026-01-01 2026-01-01 20 1 1 11 10.55951/nurture.v20i1.1058 http://nurture.org.pk/index.php/NURTURE/article/view/1061 <p>This article critically examines the complex intersection between endogenous cultural preservation and the rapid penetration of digital technologies,including artificial intelligence (AI), in the Republic of Niger. Situated within the broader context of digital globalization and the country’s significant infrastructural and policy limitations, the study aims to provide a nuanced assessment of both the transformative opportunities and the existential threats that technological integration poses to cultural continuity. Employing a qualitative, document-based analytical approach grounded in Canclini’s seminal theory of cultural hybridization and Castells’ influential network society model, the research explores the multifaceted ways in which information and communication technologies (ICTs) influence the safeguarding, transformation, and dissemination of Nigerien languages, rituals, and artistic expressions. The findings indicate a dualistic impact: digital technologies actively foster the revitalization of cultural heritage through innovative digitization projects, online educational tools, and social media diffusion, while simultaneously heightening the risks of cultural homogenization, decontextualization, and a deepening dependency on foreign digital ecosystems and platforms. The study concludes that sustainable and sovereign cultural preservation in the digital age necessitates a multi-pronged strategy involving equitable technological access, robust digital literacy initiatives, participatory and community-led archiving practices, and reinforced legal and ethical protection of cultural rights. Overall, the article constitutes a significant contribution to the academic discourse on digital globalization by elucidating the specific mechanisms through which African societies—with Niger as a poignant case study—can navigate the delicate balance between embracing technological innovation and protecting their invaluable cultural diversity and sovereignty.</p> Maman Sillimana Copyright (c) 2026 2026-01-08 2026-01-08 20 1 12 20 10.55951/nurture.v20i1.1061