Due Friday, September 16th before class
300-600 words
Over: Chagnon, Miller, Risling Baldy Chapter 3 Salvage Ethnography
Why was it hard for Chagnon to gain accurate genealogical information (about
family/marriage/ancestors) from the Yanomamõ for many months and how did he finally get accurate
genealogical information?
The Yanomamõ lived in a chronic state of warfare, which is reflected in their mythology, behavior
patterns, and
cultural practices. Chagnon endured ‘culture shock,’ and because the Yanomamõ
is
difficult to live with at times, after many months spent learning the language and submerging himself in
the culture, he came out of it with genealogical information including how the Yanomamõ tribes have an
entirely different kinship system, how to adapt to this different system, and collected data regarding
relationships between members of the village. After the people of the village finally accepted him after
months of spending time with him, the Yanomamõ started trading their materials with him and let him
watch and ask questions on a more in-depth level.
Based on Miller’s article, how did Facebook change linguistic usages and male/female interactions in
Trinidad?
Based on Miller’s article, Facebook changes linguistic usage
in Trinidad by creating a sense of addiction,
and by being a good way for businesses to connect with their customers on a more personal level and
merge the line between work and personal time. Constant Facebook usage can negatively impact
interactions between males and females by creating conflict or a sense of jealousy since the attention is
going elsewhere, also creating a sense of distrust in the other person.
Why was it surprising that white male ethnographers in the early 1900’s discussed coming
-of-age
ceremonies in their research? Why did it matter that Kroeber left out the impact of genocide in
discussing Indigenous cultures and coming-of-age ceremonies?
I feel as if white male ethnographers base many of the interactions between males and females on
women coming of age, and by leaving this out, the authors prevent the readers from understanding
what t impact the colonizers had on Indigenous cultures. It matters that Kroeber left out the impact of
genocide when discussing Indigenous cultures and coming-of-age ceremonies because the impact this
had on their cultures was vast, and not talking about it in a way is a disrespect to those who were
affected by this horrific act.
