Abstract The status and position of women living within Amazonian communities has been widely researched over the past forty years, with the majority of earlier studies reporting that woman were controlled through a division of labor that served as a socialization process. This essay reviewsS. L. Heckler's article, "Tedium and Creativity: The Valorization of Manioc Cultivation and Piaroa Women", in which Heckler contends that current research suggests, "that division of labor enforces and underscores the complementarities of gender roles and that this complementarity is the basis of Amazonian social life".
Outline:
Introduction
Gender Issues and Socialization
Conclusion
References
From the Paper "Heckler reported that all four women considered manioc, which they all cultivated to a greater or lesser extent, as being a vital element of their lives, while individual success, or lack of it, significantly contributed to both personal and corporal status. Laura, for example, was highly respected in the community because of her profound agricultural skill and knowledge, and because she was the daughter-in-law of the group's most powerful shaman. Maria, who like Laura was a middle-aged woman, was also highly respected because of agricultural skills. The third woman, Marie Gloria, who was ten years younger than Laura and Maria, although not particularly recognized for her agricultural knowledge, was valued for her processing skills. The final subject used was a younger woman, Antonia, (around thirty years old), who spent a limited amount of time growing manioc due to having to provide a wage. This, as Heckler states, causes women, such as Antonia, "obvious discomfort at having to admit ... that they did not work in the garden every day" (2004). This indicates that women who do not, or are seen as not, fulfilling their 'feminine obligations' are considered as being inferior. This, as seen in the case of Antonia produces feelings of inadequacy, personal failure, shame, and guilt, for the 'failure' to comply with local tradition."
Tags: women tradition amazonian, gender roles, male domination, community respect recognition status culture roles
Abstract The paper's thesis states that preservation and efficient management of the rain forest's botanical, cultural and therapeutic resources is the key to a healthier life and a better world. On this basis, the paper reviews the book "Tale of a Shaman's Apprentice" by Mark J. Plotkin, in which he demonstrates the urgent need to cease the rapid environmental destruction increasing at an alarming pace. The paper shows that by describing the reactions of medicinal plants of the rain forests on the human body and outlining the various classifications of forest plants, Plotkin has successfully managed to accomplish his aim of spreading the much-needed awareness regarding the protection, preservation and management of the rain forests spread world wide and the need to take care of and conduct research of the fragile cultures that inhabit these forests. The paper discusses how this captivating book highlights the importance of the Amazonian forests by describing in detail their diverse and unique botanical power and the availability of the majority of the insects and other animals in various regions of the Amazon jungles. It shows, too, how Plotkin also puts emphasis on the botanical wisdom of the shamans of the Amazonian forests.
From the Paper "Examining and exploring the characteristics, distribution, origins and classification of the plant life of a region is the primary concern of an ethno botanist. Since Plotkin was the principal ethno botanist, his job status demanded exploration of rain forests for the betterment of human kind. Hence, to hunt down shamans who are well aware of medical treatments done though the plants, were the basic requirements of his work. However, this was not the only reason as the author suggests in his book. He was intrigued by plant life and it all started on a September night lecture in 1974 at Harvard University (Plotkin: 2) that ignited a spark in the thirsty soul and made him discover the wonders of the Amazonian ever developing plant life and the cures that the medicine experts in the rain forests of the Amazon exposed (Plotkin: 3). For the same reason, he chose the particular plant life of the Amazon areas to study and learn, how to ameliorate the contemporary world and the ensuing deadly ailments with the advancement of industry and science."
This paper examines the problem of economic development in Brazil, within the context of environmental concerns over the protection and preservation of the Amazonian rain forest.
2,025 words (approx. 8.1 pages), 12 sources, 1990, $ 71.95
From the Paper "In the early-1990s, the protection and preservation of the Amazonian rain forest has become an international environmental issue. To be sure, the issue was raised nearly two decades ago by some environmental activists, but few people listened at that time. Now, however, Brazil is roundly condemned for threatening the rain forest through the pursuit of economic development. This research examines the problem of economic development in Brazil, within the context of environmental concerns over the protection and preservation of the Amazonian rain forest.
BRAZIL'S ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL SITUATION
Brazil has experienced and continues to experience serious economic and social problems. Some people in the first world ... "
This paper examines the film "The Emerald Forest" directed by John Boorman which describes an American boy's experiences with an Amazonian tribe from an anthropological perspective.
2,250 words (approx. 9 pages), 5 sources, 1991, $ 79.95
From the Paper "The Emerald Forest is a 1985 film set in the remote Xingu region of Brazil's Amazon rain forest that was directed by John Boorman, a noted English filmmaker. During his long career, his films have ranged from male-bonding action films such as Deliverance (1972) to those that relate to keeping the nuclear family intact, a theme prominent, for example, in his 1987 film Hope and Glory. In that film, the family at stake was being torn apart by World War II and the Blitz on London (a story based on his own experiences as a child during that time). In The Emerald Forest, an American family called the Markhams is irretrievably fractured when their son, Tommy, is kidnapped by Amazonian Indians. The film concentrates on his identification with his adopted tribe, his disinterest in returning to "civilization," ... "
The people of Brazil are in a very difficult situation because they are an extremely indebted nation. Destruction, and reutilization of the Amazonian rainforest may provide temporary relief, but may have many disastrous effects for the future.
1,350 words (approx. 5.4 pages), 9 sources, 1994, $ 39.95
Introduction
The intent in the following pages is to explore briefly the impact of changes in the Amazonian ecosystem, with particular emphasis on the way in which environmental problems affect the people of the region.
The Rainforest
Most people are familiar with the basic details of the situation in the Amazonian rainforests. They are aware that this is perhaps the lushest environment for life on earth, with a plethora of species that scientists indicate have not even yet been fully identified. Marguerite Holloway noted that while.."
Abstract This paper offers a discussion on the Andean indigenous peoples' interest and rights regarding the politics of the Amazon. The paper begins with a general description of the Amazon and surrounding environment. The paper then looks at the effect of European immigration into the area and outlines the problems that the indigenous people face politically, socially and culturally.
From the Paper "Basically, the difference in cultures led to many misconceptions. The natives did not wear clothing, an act that the Europeans interpreted as an obvious lack of culture. Therefore, the Europeans viewed the natives as closer to the natural world, and they became as a part of the landscape, "... somewhere between birds and trees" (Foller, 1997). Christopher Columbus observed that the native were pagans, without law and religion. Columbus could not see past his own views of culture, which included money, clothes and material things, to understand the unique culture of the natives."
Abstract Two anthropologists present their ethnographic studies in their books, "Amazon Journey", by Dennis Werner, and "To the Mountain and Back", by Jody Glittenberg. The paper explains how the two show different interests, have different methods, and come to different conclusions about the subjects they study. The paper discusses how Werner describes the Amazonian Indians, while Glittenberg presents her study on the native tribes of Guatemala, especially the Ladino and the Cakchiquel Mayan Indian.
From the Paper "Both ethnologists enter the society and observe, but Glittenberg makes herself more of a participant than does Werner, raising the question of how much her participation affected the subjects and so how much her own involvement in the culture changed what she was observing even as she observed it. Werner was also in the culture he observed, but he observed more than participated, observing to such an extent that he did not even want to hear stories directly from the source. Glittenberg is open about this, even asking certain questions at the outset about how much one can learn by observing. She says that fieldworkers give a general description of a culture, while what she wants to know is answers to questions about family formation."
Abstract This paper discusses the importance of conserving tribal lands and the pressure that is put on some tribal peoples to give up their natural resources. The paper also looks at how the land helps carry forward tribal culture and heritage.
From the Paper "The Aw? of Brazil are Brazil's last nomadic tribe that lives in the forests of the Eastern Amazon (www.survival-international.org/awa). These forests, as with much of South America's tropical forest, is being destroyed at an incredible rate, by logging companies, and by large farming conglomerates; as such, the native homeland of the Aw? is being lost, meaning that their nomadic lifestyle is threatened, and also that potentially, the Aw? themselves are in danger of being wiped out altogether."
Abstract This paper examines that the Amazon rainforest is an embattled resource being depleted at an alarming rate on a daily basis, which has a global effect. The author points out that the deforestation of the Amazonian rainforest effects the atmosphere by increasing carbon dioxide, which leads to global warming. The paper discusses several perspectives in relation to global warming and the reasons behind the cause behind global warming.
From the Paper "The Amazon rainforest is an embattled resource being depleted at an alarming rate on a daily basis. The effect of such a loss is not merely local or regional, nor is it limited to Brazil or even the South American continent. The effect is global. Every day, species of animals, insects, and plants disappear from the ecosystem, some of which have yet to be discovered, let alone studied. Even more alarming is the amount of carbon dioxide that is no longer processed from the atmosphere due to the depletion of this resource. If the destruction of the rainforest continues at the present rate, it completely will disappear, a loss that will be devastating for the global environment. The environment is inextricably linked to the world's population."
Abstract This paper examines the main characteristics of the environmental zones of Patagonia and the Amazon Basin. The paper discusses the revelation that human adaptive systems were constrained or limited to bands in the case of Patagonia, villages in the case of terra firme Amazonia, and chiefdom in the case of the Amazonian region.
From the Paper "Environmental Zones and Human Adaptive Systems: Each of these respective human adaptive systems developed in response to the environmental realities presented by each of these geographical regions. The implications of the relationship between environmental zones and the characteristic adaptive system each zone influenced are evident, for the Band-Village-Chiefdom heuristic in South America reveals that human societies and cultures generally develop in response to the availability or lack of availability of food."
Abstract The paper looks at the causes and effects of the problem of deforestation in the Brazilian part of the Amazon, the solutions attempted so far to control the deforestation, the extent of their success and the proposed solutions. The paper describes how the Amazonian rainforest constitutes the world's most diverse ecosystem and contains more than half of the world's estimated 10 million plant and animal species. The paper explains that it is being destroyed at an alarming rate mainly due to human activity such as commercial logging, mining and oil exploration. The paper concludes that a greater commitment is required from the international community if we are to save this priceless heritage for our future generations.
Outline:
The Problem
Attempted Solutions
Proposed Solutions
Conclusion
From the Paper "In Brazil alone, where the bulk of the Amazon rainforest lies, over 530,000 square kilometers of rainforest have been destroyed since 1978. Even more alarming is the fact that the rate of destruction shows no signs of abating as between August 2003 and 2004 alone, some 26,000 square kilometers of forest in Brazil- an area larger than Israel--was deforested. (Butler, "Deforestation in the Amazon,") Some estimates indicate that if the destruction of the Amazonian rainforests continues at the current rate, we will manage to completely consume the remaining rainforests in the next 50 years. (Butler-"Local and National Consequences") Needless to add, this would be a tragedy of catastrophic proportions."
Abstract This paper discusses the deleterious effects to the environment and local people caused by the extraction of crude oil from beneath the Amazonian rainforest in Ecuador. The paper explores the roles of the various players involved in the extraction, how it s affected by the workings of global capitalism, and possible solutions to the problems created. The paper also shows that addressing the impact of oil drilling on the people of Ecuador requires examining more than just material practices; it involves rethinking global economic, political and cultural power systems.
From the Paper "The extraction of crude oil from beneath the Amazonian rainforest in Ecuador over the past few decades has produced numerous deleterious effects on the environment and on the people who inhabit it. To truly understand the causes, effects, and possible solutions to the problems caused by oil extraction, it is necessary to appreciate the roles of the various players involved, their diverse agendas, ideologies, and histories, and the vast socio-political milieu that informs the workings of global capitalism. Political ecology provides a framework for untangling these intricacies while preserving their irreducible complexity."
Tags: environmental, regulation, resources, politics, wealth, power
