The Symbiosis of Sacred Space and Secular Experience-Reflecting on Ethnographic Filming

Based on the experience of ethnographic filming,this article outlines the dynamic process of the protection and development of Baima Tibetan traditional villages with the help of iconic descriptions of Baima Tibetans’daily lives and sacrificial activities,and explores how Baima Tibetans inherit their culture while adapting to social development with imagery means during rural revitalization,and how the locals integrate sacred space and secular experience in order to construct their own cultural symbols for the sake of embracing the new era.As far as anthropology-ethnographic descriptions of embodiment are concerned,traditional text research has limitations.In comparison,video graphic anthropology has natural advantages.Its advantages not only lie in the means of images,but also lie in the ability to connect the“sense of things”,mind and nature,realizing the interaction between mind and things,and mentality and object.The visual ethnography is an important research method for anthropological research to enter the world of his other.This is also an important way to describe the integration and symbiosis of local subjectivity,local sacred space,and secular experience.

Carbon stock estimation for tree species of Sem Mukhem sacred forest in Garhwal Himalaya, India

Carbon stock estimation was conducted in tree species of Sem Mukhem sacred forest in district Tehri of Garhwal Himalaya, Uttara- khand, India. This forest is dedicated to Nagraj Devta and is dominated by tree species, including Quercus floribunda, Quercus semecarpifolia and Rhododendron arboreum. The highest values of below ground bio- mass density, total biomass density and total carbon density were （34.81±1.68） Mg·ha^-1, （168.26±9.04） Mg·ha^-1 and （84.13±4.18） Mg·ha^-1 for Pinus wallichiana. Overall values of total biomass density and total carbon density calculated were 1549.704 Mg·ha^-1 and 774.77 Mg·ha^-1 respectively. Total value of growing stock volume density for all species was 732.56 m3·ha^-1 and ranged from （144.97±11.98） m3·ha^-1 for Pinus wallichiana to （7.78±1.78） m3·ha^-1for Benthamidia capitata.

Aboveground biomass and carbon stock in the largest sacred grove of Manipur,Northeast India

Aboveground biomass and carbon stock in the largest sacred grove of Manipur was estimated for trees with diameter [10 cm at 1.37 m height.The aboveground biomass,carbon stock,tree density and basal area of the sacred grove ranged from 962.94 to 1130.79 Mg ha;,481.47 to 565.40 Mg ha;C,1240 to 1320 stem ha;and79.43 to 90.64 m;ha;,respectively.Trees in diameter class of 30–40 cm contributed the highest proportion of aboveground biomass（22.50–33.73%）.The aboveground biomass and carbon stock in research area were higher than reported for many tropical and temperate forests,suggesting a role of spiritual forest conservation for carbon sink management.

Relationship between age, size, fecundity and climatic factors in Panax wangianus an endangered medicinal plant in the sacred grove forest of North-East India

Panax wangianus （Syn. Panax pseudoginseng） S. C. Sun （Araliaceae） is a critically endangered, medicinal plant of North-East India. The objective of this study was to determine how plant size affects flowering phenology and to evaluate the effect of climatic factors on flowering, fruiting and seed production. Data on vegetative and repro- ductive characters were monitored from 2016 individuals of Panax wangianus population in Law Lyngdoh, Smit sacred grove in Nongkrem, Shillong, India. Leaflet area was measured by a planimeter. Size variables of both vegetative and reproductive traits in different age classes were measured. Climatic factors were recorded from 2007 to 2009. Age was recorded by counting the number of bud scale scars on the rhizome. Light intensity and relative humidity were measured using a photometer, LiCor Model LI-189 and thermohygrometer respectively. Different climatic variables are correlated with vegetative and reproductive phenological events. Statistical analysis revealed that a strong positive correlation was observed between the age versus vegetative and reproductive characters, except 1%–2% plants showed neoteny. Morphological variations were observed in natural conditions on the basis of the number of prong and carpellate conditions. Phenological status revealed that most of the individuals of the age class 35–50 years and above 50 years contributed the most to flowering, fruiting and seed production. Age class was significant to predict the size of the plant and its reproductive capacity. Climatic factors such as temperature, precipitation and relative humidity show synergistic effect on both the vegetative and reproductive phases in Panax wangianus in the undisturbed Nongkrem sacred grove. The color of flowers of P. wangianus also varied depending upon the sunlight intensity. Therefore, in the view of conservationand management, the age class of 35–50 years and above 50 years is the most important for population sustainability.

The role of graveyards in species conservation and beta diversity:a vegetation appraisal of sacred habitats from Bannu,Pakistan

Graveyards or sacred groves are often places of natural vegetation protected by spiritual believers because of their sacred beliefs and indigenous culture.A study of graveyards was conducted to determine their role in species conservation,community formation,and associated indicators and species composition using multivariate statistical approaches.It was hypothesized that variations in the age of graveyards would give rise to diverse plant communities under the impact of various edaphic and climatic factors.Quantitative ecological techniques were applied to determine various phytosociological attributes.All the data were put in MS Excel for analysis in PCORD and CANOCO softwares for cluster analysis(CA),two-way cluster analysis(TWCA),indicator species analysis and canonical correspondence analysis.CA and TWCA through Sorenson distance measurements identified five major graveyard plant communities:(1)FicusBougainvillea-Chenopodium;(2)Acacia-Datura-Convolvulus;(3)Ziziphus-Vitex-Abutilon;(4)Acacia-Lantana-Salsola;and(5)Melia-Rhazya-Peganum.Species such as Capparis decidua,Herniaria hirsuta,Salvadora oliedes and Populus euphratica were only present inside graveyards rather than outside and advocate the role of graveyards in species conservation.The impact of different environmental and climatic variables plus the age of the graveyards were also assessed for comparison of plant communities and their respective indicator species.The results indicate that higher chlorine concentration,age of graveyards,low soil electrical conductivity,lower anthropogenic activities,higher nitrogen,calcium and magnesium concentrations in the soil,and sandy soils were the strong environmental variables playing a significant role in the formation of graveyard plant communities,their associated indicators and species distribution patterns.These results could further be utilized to evaluate the role of edaphic and climatic factors,indicator species and conservation management practices at a greater scale.

Traditional Ecological Knowledge, Sacred Groves and Conservation of Biodiversity in the Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve of India

The sacred groves in the Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve (PBR) of India were studied to understand the concept of traditional ecological and biodiversity conservation systems. A questionnaire survey was conducted in the selected villages of the PBR along with the survey of sacred groves. In 10 selected villages of the PBR 7 sacred groves were managed by Mawasi and 16 sacred groves by Gond tribal communities. Different deities were worshipped in the sacred groves and each grove was named after the deity dwelling in the respective sacred grove. A total of 19 such deities were recorded during the survey worshipped by the local people. In study area, various traditional customs associated with sacred groves were in practice. The sacred groves were rich in plant genetic diversity and were composed of many ethnobotanically useful species, including wild edible fruits, medicinal plants, fodder, fuelwood and timber yielding species. Given the importance of conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem attempts should be made to maintain the sanctity of sacred groves.

Biodiversity and ecological assessments of Indian sacred groves

Sacred groves are patches of forests preserved for their spiri- tual and religious significance. The practice gained relevance with the spread of agriculture that caused large-scale deforestation affecting bio- diversity and watersheds. Sacred groves may lose their prominence nowadays, but are still relevant in Indian rural landscapes inhabited by traditional communities. The recent rise of interest in this tradition encouraged scientific study that despite its pan-Indian distribution, focused on India＇s northeast, Western Ghats and east coast either for their global/regional importance or unique ecosystems. Most studies focused on flora, mainly angiosperms, and the faunal studies concentrated on vertebrates while lower life fomas were grossly neglected. Studies on ecosystem functioning are few although observations are available. Most studies attributed watershed protection values to sacred groves but hardly highlighted hydrological process or water yield in comparison with other land use types. The grove studies require diversification from a stereo- typed path and must move towards creating credible scientific foundations for conservation. Documentation should continue in unexplored areas but more work is needed on basic ecological functions and ecosystem dynamics to strengthen planning for scientifically sound sacred grove management.

Integrated landscape approaches to building resilience and multifunctionality in the Kailash Sacred Landscape,China

Climate warming-induced rangeland degradation in arid and semiarid steppe imposes substantial threats to the livelihoods of people.But this dilemma can be solved by combining all sectors of agriculture,animal husbandry and tourism through their complementarity,i.e.by adopting integrated landscape ecosystem-based approaches.A number of experiences and lessons have been achieved in a specific sector for its successful development,but not in the multiple social,economic,and ecological systems.In this study,we use the perspective of integrated ecosystem management to strengthen crop-livestock integration and innovative livelihoods,and propose a multifunctional Kailash Landscape to activate the inter-linkage among agriculture,animal husbandry,and heritage pilgrimage/tourism in order to achieve multiple functions of the socio-ecological system.A case study of Kailash Sacred Landscape Conservation and Development Initiative in China was quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed by land use and land cover change and their consequences on multiple ecosystem services.Integrated landscape management was found to be effective in building resilience of socio-ecosystems by reducing the vulnerability of traditional agriculture in terms of improving crop production and animal husbandry.A multifunctional landscape is expected to be integrated and build a resilient sector complementarity including farming,pastorism,environmental and socioeconomic function.The analyses show that integrated landscape approaches provide an effective perspective for sustainable socio-economic development in this sacred landscape.The findings highlight the importance of landscape-scale ecosystem-based adaptation to environment change.

Composition of forests and vegetation in the Kailash Sacred Landscape,Nepal

A total of 141 quadrats were sampled using stratified random sampling to study forest,environment and human interactions along an elevation gradient 1800 to 3665 m at the remote Kailash Sacred Landscape,Nepal.Eight forest types were identified,including Laurel-Oak to Rhododendron to Blue pine,comprising 191 species including 60 useful from 166 genera and 87 families.The environmental variables elevation,slope,and temperature were significant(p<0.001)in determining the composition and distribution of forest types.Records of large numbers of useful plants along with diverse forest and vegetation types suggest a strong association between the culture of local villages and nature conservation.Due to changes in climate,socio-culture and land-use,forest degradation is expected to accelerate,thus forcing government and indigenous community forest management measures to acknowledge human,cultural and environmental variables for sustainable forest management.

The Contingent Valuation Method in Excavation/Preservation the Ancient Eleusinian Sacred Way in Greece

The aim of this study is to estimate externalities created round a cultural heritage preservation site.A research was conducted concerning the ruins of an ancient‘Sacred Way’(Iera Odos)located in Attica,Greece.The sample of the research was 200 citizens(interviewees).It is used the CVM(Contingent Valuation Method)and Logit model of the regression analysis.The preservation of cultural heritage is entailing excessive cost(paid by people through taxation)while is a source of additional income for both,the State and the people,due to tourism.Since the evaluation of this good cannot be in market terms,authors apply a modified version of the CVM(Contingent Valuation Method).The findings show there is strong evidence that at the 5%significance level,WTP(against WTA)is a better preferred course of action i.e.,leaving the ruins situation as it is,performing only the necessary remediation,proceeding with radical restoration.All statistical processing of answers,obtained through a properly designed/circulated questionnaire,was carried out by Logit model regression analysis.The model gave significant(at 0.05 levels)dependence of WTPar(Willingness to Participation)on preferred course of action(i.e.,leaving the ruins situation as is,performing only the necessary remediation,proceeding with radical restoration).

Rapid Ecological and Environmental Assessment of Osun Sacred Forest Grove, Southwestern Nigeria

Osun Sacred Forest Grove is a unique landscape that combines important environmental, biological and cultural features. We conducted a multifaceted rapid assessment to evaluate the conservation status of the grove eleven years after it was designated a World Heritage Site. We recorded a rich diversity, consisting of 2 rock types, 3 minerals, 88 plant species, 108 insect families and 4 mammal species. Our survey also enabled us document up to 40 cultural artifacts. However, the plants, small mammals and insects collected, in their role as indicator taxa, demonstrate that biodiversity decreases extending outward from the core area of the grove into the buffer and outside zones. In addition, the detection of heterotrophic bacteria and fungi from microbiological analyses in water samples of the Osun River which runs through the grove raises health concerns. Our findings lead us to recommend that efforts be stepped up to deter encroachment of the buffer and outside zones into the core area of the grove. Furthermore, careful repair of deteriorating cultural artifacts should be undertaken regularly, with the actions of visitors monitored adequately to prevent depletion of biodiversity and pollution of the environment.

Analysis of the Characters in The Sacred Book of the Werewolf

The Sacred Book of the Werewolf is a masterpiece of Russian postmodernism literature,which is filled with magic features,oriental and occidental religions,as well as cultural symbols.The author depicts a series of expressive characters in almost acerbic descriptions.Especially when the oriental elements in foxes from China encounter the occidental elements in wolves from the West;the collision of the two cultures is obvious,which portrays all living creatures during the end of the Soviet Union and Contemporary Russia.

Letters of the Hebrew Alphabet:As Sound Notation

While Bronze Age Proto-Sinaic and Proto-Canaanite syllabic inscriptions were found engraved on fragments of pottery and stone,evidence of early alphabetic script was also inscribed in ink onto a massive parchment scroll,known as the Torah.Albeit the contours of those original characters transformed over time,it took the clairvoyant genius of Moses,and later the scribes of Ancient Israel,to configure and adapt ancient semitic prototypes into phonetic letters,producing the greatest literary document in the history of the world,the Bible.This article summarizes the acoustic properties of that alphabet,with further historical considerations.

Russian Music of the Soviet Era: For Archive or Forever

The purpose of the article is to present several topics in Russian music of the Soviet era(roughly 1920-1990).The time that has passed since the fall of the Iron Curtain allows us to rethink and revise the cultural treasures of seven decades and reassess new research of the last decade,carried out both by people who previously gained a reputation as an authority in Soviet culture,and by scientists who came from this environment and began sharing their vision of the subject after acquiring the skills of a Western scholar.The article is based mainly on the latter research and tries to see its subject as a complete picture,albeit with missing details,so to speak,a postmodern picture that requires the reader to participate in its refinement.The methodological basis of this study is working with published sources through the critical lens of cultural anthropology as it has developed and presently looks.

Whole genome re-sequencing reveals evolutionary patterns of sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera)

Sacred lotus(Nelumbo nucifera or lotus) is an important aquatic plant in horticulture and ecosystems. As a foundation for exploring genomic variation and evolution among different germplasms, we re-sequenced 19 individuals from three cultivated temperate lotus subgroups(rhizome,seed and flower lotus), one wild temperate lotus subgroup(wild lotus), one tropical lotus group(Thai lotus) and an outgroup(Nelumbo lutea). Through genetic diversity and polymorphism analysis by non-missing SNP sites widely distributed in the whole genome, we confirmed that wild and Thai lotus exhibited greater differentiation with a higher genomic diversity compared to cultivated lotus. Rhizome lotus had the lowest genomic diversity and a closer relationship to wild lotus, whereas the genomes of seed and flower lotus were admixed. Genes in energy metabolism process and plant immunity evolved rapidly in lotus, reflecting local adaptation.We established that candidate genes in genomic regions with significant differentiation associated with temperate and tropical lotus divergence always exhibited highly divergent expression pattern. Together, this study comprehensive and credible interpretates important patterns of genetic diversity and relationships, gene evolution, and genomic signature from ecotypic differentiation of sacred lotus.

神圣与世俗之间:大学体育社团中的社会人格培养——以北京大学山鹰社为例

高等教育的扩张和普及加剧了学业竞争和焦虑,伴随而来的是对人的品格和性情的影响,个人面临“原子化”发展趋势和风险。培养学生的社会人格,使其将自身的发展融入社会的传统、礼俗和仪轨,并与他人、集体建立融洽关系,成为高等教育的重要论题。基于涂尔干的道德教育相关论述,以北京大学体育社团山鹰社为例,分析体育社团在培养社会人格中的作用。认为:在山鹰社的实践中,纪律精神形塑了对集体和个人的身份认同;在共同的生命体验中形成了对群体的依恋;作为自然教育的攀岩与登山使人成为具有内在坚定性的自主的人。社会人格的培养面临自然与社会、现实与理想之间的冲突,根本原因在于世俗生活中神圣性的缺失,应通过教育活动和集体生活将其神圣性融入世俗生活。

从忧郁个体到伟大心灵:威廉·詹姆斯实用主义的个体宗教观

19世纪末,威廉·詹姆斯开启的个体宗教转向深刻地影响了美国公民宗教传统的重建。本文尝试从思想史的争讼出发,讨论詹姆斯的宗教功能论重构现代社会道德生活的独特方法及其与美国公民宗教传统的复杂关联。詹姆斯的个体宗教研究从忧郁个体的问题入手,通过剖析作为一种生存体验的忧郁,在现代个体的心灵问题与救赎宗教传统之间建立了关联,并以重新诠释救赎经验来寻找能够解放狭隘人格的生命意蕴和情感力量。在詹姆斯看来,个体对人类普遍命运的具身化体认才是激活现代民主神圣性的机制。阐明这一重新创造的神圣性传统,不仅有助于我们在道德生活中检视现代忧郁个体的问题,而且有助于我们理解美国社会民主传统的新的动力学——在日常生活中关切同胞生活苦乐的道德实践。

论神圣长江与人的敬畏感

敬畏自然是中华民族早熟的生态智慧的体现,在当下“长江病了”的危机中,对母亲河的敬畏成为重新调整人与自然关系及长江生态保护的关键一环。爬梳从古代天人合一的观念,到当代对长江敬畏之心的重新唤起,乃是探究长江文化美学精神的新理路。如何将古代生态智慧与当代科学理论相融合,如何在新时代激发人们普遍的对母亲河长江的敬畏感,便成为当前长江文化研究的题中之义。创新性提出母亲河长江的神圣性范畴,并借助古典儒家哲学资源深刻阐发其神圣性的文化内涵。在此基础上,将长江神圣性与敬畏感相关联,聚焦长江文化中人与环境的复杂情感关系,强调民族共同体对长江神圣性之敬畏乃是长江文化及其当代生态意识传承与塑造的关键所在。