Mbuti Culture Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Mbuti Culture - Research Paper Example The Mbuti tribe is dependent on the forest for all the aspects of their life including getting their food, clothes, materials for hunting, item of play, musical instrument etc. In the recent times the tribesmen have come in contact with the agricultural people living the peripheries of the forest. However hunting remains their primary source of subsistence. Even in their trade with the agricultural people they exchange the meat they get from the forest in exchange for farm products (Tanno, n.d. pp. 1-51). The forest and hunting activities influenced the culture, social structures, gender relations and the beliefs and values of the Mbuti tribe associated with the Molimo ritual of the tribe. Social Organization The difference in the strategy for procuring the subsistence has attracted the interest of the anthropologist and ethnographers. Along with the difference in the hunting technique some difference in the social structure has also been observed with reference to the number of memb ers in the community. The inhabitants of the southwestern region, the net hunters live in a comparatively large camp consisting to seven to thirty families together. There method of hunting and distribution of the hunt are also of communal type. The women beat the under bush to drive the animals to the net which are looked after by the men. According to famous pygmy researcher Turnbull, this method of hunting requires a number of families to cooperate with each other in order to procure their subsistence. On the contrast the archers live in small groups of three to five. Individual members hunt with the help of arches and bows. The different operations of arching are tracking and ambushing which requires less number of men than net hunting. Several reasons have been cited for this difference in hunting pattern and consequent social structure based on region. According to Turnbull, this has occurred due to the historical distribution of the forest. The southwestern parts of the count ries have been subjected to encroachment for agriculture, mining, plantations, tourist centers etc. As a result the inhabitable land and the land for hunting and gathering have been reduced. On the other hand the population of the tribe has increased over the years. As a result the tribe was forced to increase their utilization of the reduced amount of available land. Moreover due to the Law of Diminishing Return the tribesmen had to undertake more work individually in order to maintain similar level of consumption. Another interesting feature that has been pointed out by the scholars is that the pygmy tribe has a low exposure to the technological advancement. Therefore they are unable to increase the utilization of the plot of land with the help of technology. To compensate for that, the tribesmen are required to increase the coordination and cooperation among themselves to maintain similar level of consumption. (Abruzzi, 1979) Renowned anthropologist, Harako suggests another alter native theory. According to him the original mode of hunting of the Mbuti tribe was archery. But some time in history a part of the tribe came in touch with the Bantu speaking tribes. In course of their interaction and exchange the Mbuti tribe learnt to use the net as a tool for hunting. This theory gives an explanation for the division of hunting methods

My walk with ecology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

My walk with ecology - Essay Example My favorite form of outdoor activity is walking. I live in the urban city of concrete jungles with skyscrapers blocking out the sunlight. I miss the beauty of natural scenery. I have seen how man has destroyed his natural environment and upset the ecology of nature and man. Industrialization brought along deforestation to make way for human habitats and agriculture. The increased burning of fossil fuels increased the release of greenhouse gasses and the sum total effect has led to global warming. My thesis is that Man needs to reconnect with nature to help preserve ecology. The simplest and most direct way of reconnecting to nature is by walking through the rural countryside. It is one of the best ways of observing nature and appreciating the great diversity of life forms and the ecology. I believe that when Man comes to self-realization on his close relationship with nature, he will value it and refrain from participating in activities that would harm the balance of our ecology. I c hoose walking on foot to go sight seeing and explore nature because any other artificial mode of transport would burn fossil fuels and harm the environment with the emission of toxic waste gasses. When I walk at my own leisurely pace, I get to observe nature at work, play and rest. I think walking is the best way to get close to nature. Fenton recommended walking as a cheap and easy way to maintain health, effect weight loss and stay fit. We can kill two birds with one stone by taking up walking for health reasons as well as to observe nature. Fenton said that; 'Walking is not only better for your spirit, mood, and body, it's better for your whole community. Trust walking.' (Fenton 5). Walking does wonder for you while conserving the ecology. Walking is a cheap form of exercise. You just need a pair of comfortable walking shoes and thick socks to cushion your feet against blisters. The writer Werner recommended carrying a backpack for your basic essentials like a map, compass, a quart of water for every miles of walk, tissue and toilet paper, refuse / trash bag, raincoat / poncho, protective clothing against the cold and wet, energy snack foods and cell phone. (Werner 4). These are for a day walk. If you are walking at night, you need additional equipment like a flashlight with extra batteries, flares, insect repellant, and maybe a walking stick. If you are a photography and nature enthusiast, bring your camera and binoculars. If you are creatively inclined, bring along a notebook or sketch pad. The beauty of nature might inspire you to write or draw something. It is safer to prepare for emergencies in the event of being caught up in some unfavorable weather. A beginner should start walking during the day and on familiar terrain. One should take caution and plan a walk with a realistic distance as a goal in mind. I would keep in mind to let the people around me know my intentions just in case if I don't make it back in time, they would know to send out a search party for me! Walkers often choose routes to cut across natural terrain. I like the opportunity to breathe in fresh air, unpolluted by traffic. Sometimes, I see the traffic along the established paths and it is ugly traffic. Litter left behind by humans is detrimental. The wild animals do not know better than to ingest litter and this poses a health risk to them. Human food is not suitable for animals. Non-degradable refuse like plastic is an eyesore and dangerous when innocent animals ingest them. I would not have known about the effects of litter if I had not come across piles of them in my walks. They spoil the natural beauty of the landscape. This brings up the use of the trash bag in my backpack. Every walker should be responsible for keeping their own trash out of the natural environment. Waste items should be deposited in the trash bag and carried out of the natural