What is traditional ecological knowledge
Traditional ecological knowledge refers to the knowledge, practice, and belief concerning the relationship of living beings to one another and to the physical environment, which is held by peoples in relatively non-technological societies with a direct dependence upon local resources
- crops become deficient - soil is not fertile → hurts resources in a major bad way
- look at 3 sisters garden
accumulated knowledge, practices, and beliefs of indigenous and local communities regarding the environment and natural resources, based on their cultural traditions and passed down orally from generation to generation. It includes knowledge of local ecosystems, weather patterns, medicinal plants, and sustainable resource management, and is valuable for its unique perspective, effectiveness, and importance in preserving local culture and history.
What is kincentric ecology
- Kincentric ecology
- everything is interconnected - everything is one and related and connected
- environment and human → restoration of our relationship with the environment
- embraced by many traditional ecological knowledge systems
- everything has value and everything is worthy of respect
- take only what you need; waste nothing, share with others
- everything is interconnected - everything is one and related and connected
Kincentric ecology is a worldview that emphasizes the interconnectedness of all things in nature. It posits that everything in the natural world is related and connected, and that humans are not separate from this interconnected web of life, but rather an integral part of it.
This perspective can be seen as a contrast to the more traditional anthropocentric worldview, which places human beings at the center of the universe and often treats the natural world as a resource to be exploited for human benefit.
Name the four types of loss
- Loss: how we lose traditional ecological knowledge - associated with long history of colonization-invasion and genocide
- religion or spirituality - forced conversion
- language
- land
- identity
Name the four points of autonomy
- unique adaptation methods
- syncretism → with religions - gov outlaw religion (but they practise anyways)
- combination of both religion
- ex: mayan religion infused with catholicism
- paths of resistance
- land claims / victories
- drastic change → yet they endure!
What are the 4 directions of the medicine wheel
4 directions of medicine wheel - Indigenous group in lake manitoba
- white → north - sky - spiritual realm = elder stage
- yellow → east - physical realm = birth
- red → south - mental realm = adolescence
- black → west - emotional realm = adult
What are the core concepts of the medicine wheel
- Core concepts
- to live a balanced
- harmonious life
- interconnectedness
- Holistic view of health: focusing on all four parts of an individual’s well-being
- with regards to food - animals life cycles, plant cycle, seasons, etc
What is the role of a shaman
Role of shaman is mediating between the human community and the larger community of beings (non human entities), ensuring proper flow of sustenance/nourishment. Also sustenance/nourishment can be literal or metaphorical
Mystical intermediaries between this reality (conditioned reality, limited reality) and unconditioned reality (the unlimited reality, can’t describe in words, can mean different things for different people (God, Nature, etc)
What are Abrams goals
- Goals outlined by Abrams
- primary: be an intermediary between human and more than human field
- secondary: by monitoring and maintaining this above mentioned relationship, the shaman can thereby help in diagnosing, treating, and relieving ailments and illnesses
What dimension of living away from the village is overlooked
- Ecological dimension of the craft
- very important!
- missing this dimension is due to modern assumptions of shamans and the natural world
- shamans have a deep rapport with the natural world → deep relationship = rapport
- not just scenery → some people say nature is beautiful but they have a lack of awareness in terms of its purpose, ex: the trees serve a purpose, they are not just there to look pretty
- not just a pass of back drop
- the ability to diagnose or treat someone is just an extension of the craft - it’s crucial to have a connection with the land
- In order to have rapport with nature - one has to shed preconceived notions and social conditioning
- a shaman would work hard at staying neutral about their perceptions of the universe (allow themselves to believe the powers of the universe?)
- this shedding will allow one to alter or acquire a heightened receptivity
Explain 3 sisters garden
- corn grows vertically
- squash grows horizontally
- tied together with beans
by growing this way they each serve a purpose for their overall benefit - metaphor for how the world keeps going
- lesson in reciprocity
- respect and support one another
- when individuals flourish, so does the whole
- Sisters are a metaphor for cooperating above ground and below ground
- Each sister (plant) has its own pace or birth order
- important for the success of the crop
- corn comes first then the other two follow
What are 3 sacred plants
Cannabis - Hindu + rastafarian
Neem - Hinduism
Pine tree - Daoism
Expand on the use of cannabis
COME BACKK
What is Dao
Dao is the underlying force or energy that flows through all things in the universe, and it is the natural order or pattern of reality that governs all phenomena.
What is wuwei
- Wuwei
- virtue of the Dao = actionless action (effortless effort)
- Actionless action (effortless effort)
- Action without intention or force, each thing has its own way
- our responsibility is to enable that to happen as much as possible
- go with the flow
Identify formal ritual spaces and natural spaces
- Formal ritual spaces and natural space (bodies of water, etc):
- sanctuary or refuge for the human world
- disturbing the ecology - ritual duties will be disturbed
- if you disturb the ecology then the ritual duties and what you’re trying to achieve might be hindered
- Formal ritual space - constructed but always in nature
- Temples/ altars
- ex: mount laojum in louyan, Henan province, China
- Temples/ altars
- Natural sacred space: mountains, caves, rivers, forests, plants
- Sacred mountains:
- most important type of natural space
- five mountains relating to 5 directions
- north, south, east, west, the fifth is more heavenly realm (spiritual essence)
Why did the journalist become religious
The journalist in “Searching for Sacred Mountain” becomes more religious as a result of his experiences in a remote mountainous region, where he encounters indigenous people who have a deep spiritual connection to the land. Through his interactions with these people and his experiences in the natural environment, he develops a greater appreciation for the interconnectedness of all things and a sense of awe and wonder at the beauty and complexity of the natural world. His experiences lead him to question his own beliefs and assumptions, and to embrace a more holistic and interconnected way of being in the world.
Lu Zhi and daoism
Lu Zhi has sought to promote a more holistic and sustainable approach to environmental conservation that takes into account not only the needs of wildlife and ecosystems, but also the needs and perspectives of local communities. This approach aligns with Daoist ideas about the importance of balancing human needs with the needs of nature and the importance of preserving natural resources for future generations.
What are the 4 affirmations of Shinto
The Four Affirmations of Shinto are the core principles that express the basic beliefs and values of the religion. They are:
Tradition and family: Shinto values the continuity of traditions and the family as the foundation of Japanese culture.
Love of nature: Shinto views the natural world as sacred, and emphasizes the importance of living in harmony with nature.
Physical cleanliness: Shinto values physical purity and cleanliness, and many rituals are focused on purification and cleansing.
Matsuri (festivals): Shinto recognizes the importance of communal celebrations and festivals (matsuri) as a way of expressing gratitude to the kami and promoting social harmony.
Functions of cow
- Cow could be eaten hypothetically but if you don’t eat the cow this is what it can do for you:
- plough → cow can create other ‘tractors’ plough machine
- transporting stuff
- milk → most base of Indian food is ghee which is made of milk
- cooking fuel → cow manure - slow cooking = even flame
- fertilizer → cow manure - keeps crops growing
- building floor material - sustainable
- Once cow is eaten - khalas its gone
Pig natural habitat
- Pigs natural habitat:
- creature of woodlands / riverbanks
- forage on forest floors (acorns, mushrooms, etc)
- wouldn’t thrive in arid climates / habitats → this is because pigs don’t sweat: that’s why they roll in mud = to cool and control their body temp (sweat like a pig is wrong)
- control body temperature - ex: mud
- they only roll in urine or poop if they’re constrained and have no other option
