npub1a9…9mqqg on Nostr: When you live with the land, you notice what the animals do and use this knowledge to ...
When you live with the land, you notice what the animals do and use this knowledge to help you survive. Here are some examples from the Nuer people of western Ethiopia and South Sudan in east Africa:
"Seven bird species serve as omens – they signal potential dangers like the presence of wild animals. Three are used to create protective amulets. Three are used to indicate the change of seasons – for instance the return of migratory western yellow wagtails is a reliable sign that the sunny, dry season will be replacing the rainy, wet season."
"Eight are fish indicators – by meticulously observing species like the African fish eagle, African pygmy kingfisher, pied kingfisher or malachite kingfisher, people can identify areas with high fish populations."
(I love the idea of "meticulous observation" here. I'm imagining a whole flock of birds going nuts over a lake or section of river, to the point where you can hear it from far away. When you see/hear that happening, you don't have to be too too smart to figure that there's a lot of tasty stuff in those waters 😅)
Also crucially important: a strong culture of only taking what you need to ensure the availability of the resource for the future:
"They rely on livestock keeping and have special beliefs and customs about how to live with nature. These are passed down from parents to children through the telling of stories.
[...]
There are strict limits on when and how birds can be used in Nuer society. The use of birds as bushmeat or for making traditional medicine is carefully controlled by elders and within family structures. Hunting is typically allowed only during severe food shortages. It’s often restricted to those in dire need, such as impoverished households."
Article source: https://theconversation.com/nuer-people-have-a-sacred-connection-to-birds-it-can-guide-conservation-in-ethiopia-and-south-sudan-239420
Based on my amateur anthropology, this example shows all the elements that people need in order to live well with the land:
* Knowledge of local ecosystems and how everything interacts
* Strong cultural value on ensuring the health of the land and its creatures
* Strong cultural value on only taking what you need (and not over-exploiting a resource)
* intergenerational transmission of that culture
* trusted elders (or other community members) who can give advice on kapu on various plants and animals (when to harvest, how much, etc, so that populations aren't depleted)
* a populace that respects those kapu.
Just like an ecosystem, there are interlocking cultural elements that lead to successful living with the land. I think these examples from the Nuer people show one way that it can work. It's not easy, but it does work.
#anthropology #nature #sustainability #africa #environment #ecology #culture #birds
"Seven bird species serve as omens – they signal potential dangers like the presence of wild animals. Three are used to create protective amulets. Three are used to indicate the change of seasons – for instance the return of migratory western yellow wagtails is a reliable sign that the sunny, dry season will be replacing the rainy, wet season."
"Eight are fish indicators – by meticulously observing species like the African fish eagle, African pygmy kingfisher, pied kingfisher or malachite kingfisher, people can identify areas with high fish populations."
(I love the idea of "meticulous observation" here. I'm imagining a whole flock of birds going nuts over a lake or section of river, to the point where you can hear it from far away. When you see/hear that happening, you don't have to be too too smart to figure that there's a lot of tasty stuff in those waters 😅)
Also crucially important: a strong culture of only taking what you need to ensure the availability of the resource for the future:
"They rely on livestock keeping and have special beliefs and customs about how to live with nature. These are passed down from parents to children through the telling of stories.
[...]
There are strict limits on when and how birds can be used in Nuer society. The use of birds as bushmeat or for making traditional medicine is carefully controlled by elders and within family structures. Hunting is typically allowed only during severe food shortages. It’s often restricted to those in dire need, such as impoverished households."
Article source: https://theconversation.com/nuer-people-have-a-sacred-connection-to-birds-it-can-guide-conservation-in-ethiopia-and-south-sudan-239420
Based on my amateur anthropology, this example shows all the elements that people need in order to live well with the land:
* Knowledge of local ecosystems and how everything interacts
* Strong cultural value on ensuring the health of the land and its creatures
* Strong cultural value on only taking what you need (and not over-exploiting a resource)
* intergenerational transmission of that culture
* trusted elders (or other community members) who can give advice on kapu on various plants and animals (when to harvest, how much, etc, so that populations aren't depleted)
* a populace that respects those kapu.
Just like an ecosystem, there are interlocking cultural elements that lead to successful living with the land. I think these examples from the Nuer people show one way that it can work. It's not easy, but it does work.
#anthropology #nature #sustainability #africa #environment #ecology #culture #birds