The rapid industrial growth amidst the resource-rich habitats of indigenous people results in an unprecedented and inescapable influence of the other. Most often, such interactions are exploitative for the indigenous ...The rapid industrial growth amidst the resource-rich habitats of indigenous people results in an unprecedented and inescapable influence of the other. Most often, such interactions are exploitative for the indigenous communities. Besides this, the development induced displacement escalate the fear of loss of ＂cultural practices＂ among the indigenous peoples. The ＂official＂ argument often confines to the fact that the people are displaced with better facilities to a place few kilometres away from the original habitat. Such an argument forces to establish harmony between development and the displaced and ignores cultural rights and customary boundaries. In such cases, indigenous peoples negotiate for the protection of cultural rights with the corporate establishments and statutory bodies using a variety of means. This idea is explored in the context of the resistance movement organized by the indigenous Kondhs of Niyamgiri region of Odisha, India.展开更多
While current analyses of European interpretations of non-western cultures are guided by a modern concept of sexuality, this article argues for a more encompassing, historical awareness by drawing historical construct...While current analyses of European interpretations of non-western cultures are guided by a modern concept of sexuality, this article argues for a more encompassing, historical awareness by drawing historical constructs of sexuality into the analysis. To illustrate the point, it will analyze the accounts of indigenous sexual practices written by the botanist Johann Reinhold Forster and his son Georg, in the wake of Cook＇s voyages. These accounts differ starkly, even though the authors participated in the same expedition. As the post-structural textual analysis of the text makes apparent, each author has a specific concept of sexuality in mind. These perceptions affirm the change taking place in 18th-century European culture, as analyzed by Foucault. Moreover, the textual analysis strongly suggests that their respective views of sexuality impact upon their interpretations of Tahitian culture at large. As a consequence, the article furthers insight into ＂Western＂ ways of interpreting ＂non-western＂ cultures.展开更多
Heart of Darkness is one of the masterpieces of Joseph Conrad （1857-1924）, which shows the author＇s great humanity and his unreserved horror at the crimes committed by the colonists and imperialists all over the wo...Heart of Darkness is one of the masterpieces of Joseph Conrad （1857-1924）, which shows the author＇s great humanity and his unreserved horror at the crimes committed by the colonists and imperialists all over the world. This thesis tries to analyze its three themes： the Colonists＇ material essence, the dark side of human nature, and the disillusionment of civilization. Kurtz, the main character in the novel, is characterized by his greed for material gain and power. The dark side of human nature is reflected in Kurtz＇s cruel behavior towards the natives, his sense of superiority to the marginalized, and his dominance in discourse over the colonial people. Along with the colonists＇ crazy behaviors, there is disillusion with the modem civilization.展开更多
The patriarchal leaning of most traditional African communities is sign-posted by certain behavioural models which place the woman at the receiving end of certain prejudices in our cultural milieu. Such prejudices man...The patriarchal leaning of most traditional African communities is sign-posted by certain behavioural models which place the woman at the receiving end of certain prejudices in our cultural milieu. Such prejudices manifest in diverse behavioural and relational manners that either peripheralize the woman or out-rightly remove every vestige of human dignity from her being. Language, being a significant carrier of our emotions, biases, beliefs, preference and prejudices, provides a crucial platform for the interrogation of the nature of gender relations and their consequences in any society, such consideration has forced a preponderance of scholarly interest in gender studies in arts and humanities. This study caries out a scholarly investigate into such gender inspired biases through the prison of Yoruba proverbs as a reflection of our cultural practices and beliefs about the position of the woman in a typical traditional Yoruba setting展开更多
Western Ghats region of India is one of the biodiversity hotspots of the world. The topography, wide rainfall variation and varied temperature conditions enable inhabitancy of several plant species. This plant wealth ...Western Ghats region of India is one of the biodiversity hotspots of the world. The topography, wide rainfall variation and varied temperature conditions enable inhabitancy of several plant species. This plant wealth is being used in various forms by tribes and natives of the area for centuries. These gain further importance due to the fact that ripe fruits serve as a source of food and medicine to tribes throughout the year. These wild fruits are source of minerals and vitamins in the diet of the rural people. The potential productivity and floristic diversity of the area have attracted the experts. There are more than 50 wild edible fruit species are available in Western Ghats region. These belong to 25 families and 38 genera. Out of the 25 families, the important ones as a source of fruits are Apocynaceae, Anacardiaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Moraceae, Sapotaceae and Sapindaceae. The fruiting period of different species ranges between two and six months. The highest number of species mature from April to May. The availability of these fruits reduces after October. Some of these fruits, such as Mangifera indica, Artocarpus heterophyllus, Carissa carandas, Emblica officinalis and Syzygium cuminii, have been given emphasis in order to identify high yield and high fruit quality clones and standardization of production technologies. The collection, conservation and utilization on some of the fruits, such as Garcinia indica and Garcinia gummigutta have started at various research organizations. Some other fruits, namely Chrysophyllum roxburghii （Family Sapotaceae）, Canthium parviflora Lamk syn. Plectronia parviflora （Lam.） Bedd. （Family Rubiaceae）, Elaeagnus conferta Roxbsyn, Elaeagnus latifolia L. （Family Elaeagnaceae）, Securina leucopyrus syn. Flueggea leucopyrus （Family Euphorbiaceae）, Elaeocarpus tuberculatus Roxb. （Family Elaeocarpaceae）, Nephelium stipulacum Bedd. syn. Doratoxylon stipulatum （Family Sapindaceae） have potential for commercial cultivation. Thus, attempts were made with the objective of recording availability of these species, proximate analysis and their on farm and off farm conservation at Central Horticultural Experiment Station （CHES）. Few plants were also provided to local growers on farm conservation. The continuous depletion of forest and the increasing human disturbance resulted in losses of these species. There is need to conserve these fruits for future.展开更多
文摘The rapid industrial growth amidst the resource-rich habitats of indigenous people results in an unprecedented and inescapable influence of the other. Most often, such interactions are exploitative for the indigenous communities. Besides this, the development induced displacement escalate the fear of loss of ＂cultural practices＂ among the indigenous peoples. The ＂official＂ argument often confines to the fact that the people are displaced with better facilities to a place few kilometres away from the original habitat. Such an argument forces to establish harmony between development and the displaced and ignores cultural rights and customary boundaries. In such cases, indigenous peoples negotiate for the protection of cultural rights with the corporate establishments and statutory bodies using a variety of means. This idea is explored in the context of the resistance movement organized by the indigenous Kondhs of Niyamgiri region of Odisha, India.
文摘While current analyses of European interpretations of non-western cultures are guided by a modern concept of sexuality, this article argues for a more encompassing, historical awareness by drawing historical constructs of sexuality into the analysis. To illustrate the point, it will analyze the accounts of indigenous sexual practices written by the botanist Johann Reinhold Forster and his son Georg, in the wake of Cook＇s voyages. These accounts differ starkly, even though the authors participated in the same expedition. As the post-structural textual analysis of the text makes apparent, each author has a specific concept of sexuality in mind. These perceptions affirm the change taking place in 18th-century European culture, as analyzed by Foucault. Moreover, the textual analysis strongly suggests that their respective views of sexuality impact upon their interpretations of Tahitian culture at large. As a consequence, the article furthers insight into ＂Western＂ ways of interpreting ＂non-western＂ cultures.
文摘Heart of Darkness is one of the masterpieces of Joseph Conrad （1857-1924）, which shows the author＇s great humanity and his unreserved horror at the crimes committed by the colonists and imperialists all over the world. This thesis tries to analyze its three themes： the Colonists＇ material essence, the dark side of human nature, and the disillusionment of civilization. Kurtz, the main character in the novel, is characterized by his greed for material gain and power. The dark side of human nature is reflected in Kurtz＇s cruel behavior towards the natives, his sense of superiority to the marginalized, and his dominance in discourse over the colonial people. Along with the colonists＇ crazy behaviors, there is disillusion with the modem civilization.
文摘The patriarchal leaning of most traditional African communities is sign-posted by certain behavioural models which place the woman at the receiving end of certain prejudices in our cultural milieu. Such prejudices manifest in diverse behavioural and relational manners that either peripheralize the woman or out-rightly remove every vestige of human dignity from her being. Language, being a significant carrier of our emotions, biases, beliefs, preference and prejudices, provides a crucial platform for the interrogation of the nature of gender relations and their consequences in any society, such consideration has forced a preponderance of scholarly interest in gender studies in arts and humanities. This study caries out a scholarly investigate into such gender inspired biases through the prison of Yoruba proverbs as a reflection of our cultural practices and beliefs about the position of the woman in a typical traditional Yoruba setting
文摘Western Ghats region of India is one of the biodiversity hotspots of the world. The topography, wide rainfall variation and varied temperature conditions enable inhabitancy of several plant species. This plant wealth is being used in various forms by tribes and natives of the area for centuries. These gain further importance due to the fact that ripe fruits serve as a source of food and medicine to tribes throughout the year. These wild fruits are source of minerals and vitamins in the diet of the rural people. The potential productivity and floristic diversity of the area have attracted the experts. There are more than 50 wild edible fruit species are available in Western Ghats region. These belong to 25 families and 38 genera. Out of the 25 families, the important ones as a source of fruits are Apocynaceae, Anacardiaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Moraceae, Sapotaceae and Sapindaceae. The fruiting period of different species ranges between two and six months. The highest number of species mature from April to May. The availability of these fruits reduces after October. Some of these fruits, such as Mangifera indica, Artocarpus heterophyllus, Carissa carandas, Emblica officinalis and Syzygium cuminii, have been given emphasis in order to identify high yield and high fruit quality clones and standardization of production technologies. The collection, conservation and utilization on some of the fruits, such as Garcinia indica and Garcinia gummigutta have started at various research organizations. Some other fruits, namely Chrysophyllum roxburghii （Family Sapotaceae）, Canthium parviflora Lamk syn. Plectronia parviflora （Lam.） Bedd. （Family Rubiaceae）, Elaeagnus conferta Roxbsyn, Elaeagnus latifolia L. （Family Elaeagnaceae）, Securina leucopyrus syn. Flueggea leucopyrus （Family Euphorbiaceae）, Elaeocarpus tuberculatus Roxb. （Family Elaeocarpaceae）, Nephelium stipulacum Bedd. syn. Doratoxylon stipulatum （Family Sapindaceae） have potential for commercial cultivation. Thus, attempts were made with the objective of recording availability of these species, proximate analysis and their on farm and off farm conservation at Central Horticultural Experiment Station （CHES）. Few plants were also provided to local growers on farm conservation. The continuous depletion of forest and the increasing human disturbance resulted in losses of these species. There is need to conserve these fruits for future.
