Final Reading
Shoumatoff,
“The Last of Eden” (pp.204-223)
Part I:
Definitions
gravitas (204)
indigenous
(205)
proletariat
(206)
genocide (207)
genocide (207)
proliferating
(211)
sedentary
(212)
assimilating
(213)
deranged (214)
demarcated
(219)
insidiously
(219)
BONUS: Who is
Gauguin? (217)
Part II: Answer 2 of the 4 questions in a short paragraph
1. Why is the
Brazilian government reluctant to enforce the removal of the invasores from the traditional lands of
the Awá and other tribes? If they are
indeed “invaders,” shouldn’t they be removed for the good of Brazil Brazil
2. As
Shoumatoff writes early in the essay, “All these communications and
interactions are going on that our contingent from the modern world is dead to”
(204). In other words, the Awá see and
communicate with a world that most of us scarcely even knew existed. Based on this, how does looking at the world
through the lens of Awá culture change how the author sees the world? What common ideas/values change from their
perspective? Are these changes useful or
valuable to us? Or are they simply
different or unique?
3. When
Shoumatoff asks his driver, a mixed-raced “caboclo” what tribe he is from, the
driver curly replies, “I’m Brazilian” (218).
Why might this be a touchy subject for him? In a culture full of diverse peoples and
languages, why does race become such an important issue? Indeed, why is race at the heart of the
conflict between the isolados and the
invasores?
4. What should
be done about the other isolados out
in the rain forest, the tribes that have yet to be contracted or largely refuse
contact? Should they be contacted for
their own good, to protect them? Or
should the Brazilian government and others simply let them alone and protect
them from afar? Are both options
potentially dangerous to the tribes in question?
Kalli Mowdy
ReplyDelete1. Gravitas- dignity, seriousness, or solemnity of manner.
2. Indigenous- originating or occurring naturally in a particular place; native.
3. Proletariat- workers or working-class people, regarded collectively
4. Genocide- the deliberate killing of a large group of people, especially those of a particular ethnic group or nation.
5. Proliferating- increase rapidly in numbers; multiply.
6. Sedentary- (of a person) tending to spend much time seated; somewhat inactive.
7. Assimilating- 1. take in (information, ideas, or culture) and understand fully. 2. cause (something) to resemble; liken.
8. Deranged- mad; insane
9. Demarcate- set the boundaries or limits of.
10. Insidiously- developing so gradually as to be well established before becoming apparent.
Question 4- I think that the best solution would be to leave the uncontacted tribes alone. This would only work though if the Brazilian government took initiative and stopped the invaders from coming in anymore and making the ones already there move out. Choosing this option though could hurt the tribe, because as I already stated the effectiveness of this choice depends on how much action the government to going to take. If the government doesn’t take action, the bitter truth is that eventually all the forest will be cut down and the uncontacted tribes will be destroyed.
Question 1- I believe the Brazilian government is hesitant to interfere because the money made by the loggers eventually ends up circulated in the Brazilian economy. I am sure that this income is a huge boost to the economy there, and if you completely take that away, it could possibly collapse the economy. Now the greater good for everyone comes into play. What choice would you make, either stop the logging and put the entire country into a depression, or turn a blind eye and let the logging continue for the greater good? I would like to say I would stand up for the tribes, but I don’t know if I would be ok with hindering an entire country’s economy.
Ashlyn Thompson
ReplyDeleteGravitas- Weight, seriousness and dignity, and importance
Indigenous- Originating or occurring naturally in a particular place; native
Proletariat- Workers or working-class people
Genocide- The deliberate killing of a large group of people, especially those of a particular ethnic group or nation
Proliferating- Increase rapidly in numbers; multiply
Sedentary- (of someone) with no or irregular activity
Assimilating- The process of becoming part of or more like something greater, or the process in which one group takes on the cultural and other traits of a larger group
Deranged- Mad; insane
Demarcated- To set the boundaries or limits of something
Insidiously- Developing so gradually as to be well established before becoming apparent
Gaugin- French postimpressionist painter
2. I think the author learns how to communicate, and starts to understand how they communicate and learn the culture. We as Americans don’t focus on our culture or communication as much. To me, we focus more on money, how we look, the cars we drive, the houses we live in, and the clothes we have. It seems like we are so focused on the material things, and not things surrounding us. The Awa people don’t have all of these distractions like we do. All they really have is culture and communication. I think that these are valuable and unique to us, it shows us what is most important and how serious they are about their culture. The author starts to see and feel like the Awa people do and sees the world in maybe a more simplistic way. He sees what is really important and sees this culture as being unique and valuable. He more than likely has more of an appreciative heart after seeing these people.
4. If they want to be left alone, then I think that they should be. Contacting them when they don’t want to be could make them angry and lash out at the government. If the government were to take out all of the invaders then I think the tribes would benefit, but at the same time, it could hurt them. It could hurt them depending upon how involved these invaders are and what the importance of each one is. I think that the government shouldn’t leave them completely alone though. I think that they should at least keep an eye on them from afar to make sure that they are protected. That way when/if something was to happen the tribes that were uncontacted wouldn’t be left completely alone.
Christian Beeler
ReplyDeleteGravitas – Solemnity of manner.
Indigenous – Originating in a place.
Proletariat – Working-class people.
Genocide – Deliberate killing of a large group of people.
Proliferating – Multiply.
Sedentary – Somewhat inactive.
Assimilating – Take in and understand fully.
Deranged – Mad.
Demarcated – Set the limits of.
Insidiously – Subtle.
Gauguin – An artist in the post-impressionism, modern art, and primitivism eras.
2. I’m sure the author appreciates all that he has a little bit more. In our culture, we are very spoiled and pampered in terms of what we have. We are advances so far in technology that we don’t have to depend on our mind to do very much of the thinking for us anymore. This, compared to the Awá, is very distracting, given how little we appreciate what is provided for us by nature. Being involved in and up close and personal in the culture that is Awá, I am sure that the author has picked up on how to communicate a little better, (or sharing 50 words in common), but he soon learns to appreciate how , for lack of a better word, “blessed” our nation is. I’d say that these changes are valuable to an extent. Picking up on a few words of the Awá language maybe more beneficial for some than others. The experience, however, is very unique. Not many people can say that they’ve learned a bit of the language and dove into the culture of the Awá peoples. That is an experience, I assume, the author won’t soon forget.
4. On one hand, I think that all the indigenous peoples should be contacted, even if it’s against their will, just out of, what I would call, respect for my people, and to try to ensure the protection of their families and neighbors. I can see where that might cause more tension between “tribes” of the Awá and cause there to be a permanent split. On the other hand, I feel the “uncontacted” tribes that refuse to be contacted should have that luxury. There is a line in the essay that states that the more conservative tribe-members don’t want guns for hunting, or anything from the white people, for that matter, that will affect the tradition that they’ve lived by for so long. There is also another part of the essay that states that, although, certain “isolados” refuse to be contacted, from an aerial view, it looks like they have banana plantations, which were brought from the Portuguese, so there must have been some contact somewhere along the line. I’m not sure I particularly understand how these certain tribes of the Awá could protect any of the groups of “isolados” that refuse to be contacted, because of their constant moving around and their wanting to protect and provide solely for themselves. I guess the only way one could say they did their part in helping protect these groups is by leaving them alone.
Priscilla Texter
ReplyDeleteGravitas- seriousness, sobriety
Indigenous- originating in and characteristic of a particular region or country; Nation
Proletariat- the lowest or poorest class of people
genocide- deliberate extermination of a national, racial, political, or cultural group
Proliferating- to spread rapidly and excessively
Sedentary- accustomed to sit or rest a great deal
Assimilating- to bring into conformity with customs, attitudes, etc.
Deranged- to throw into disorder
Demarcated- to separated distinctly
Insidiously- stealthily treacherous or deceitful
1.The Brazilian government is probably reluctant to enforce the removal of the invasores simply because they do not want to cause drama and possibly start a war. The Awa tribes are outnumbered by the number of invasores that are poaching there. Yes, the government should do something for the good of Brazil’s government but there is too much money that comes out of the poachers. It helps their economy more than the Awa do. They are looking at it for the benefit of themselves and not the harm it could bring to a select few.
4.) I think that the tribes that do not want to be contacted or have yet to be contacted should just be left alone. If they are refusing help than there is no reason to force something that they do not want. I think the government should protect them from afar by stopping the deterioration of their home. It is dangerous either way, but you’re more likely to cause a war if the government were to get to involved and try to assimilate every tribe to be like the rest of the “Brazilians”.
Mikayla Sparks
ReplyDeleteGravitas- dignity, seriousness, or solemnity of manner
Indigenous- native people
Proletariat- under class; poor; labor class
Genocide- the deliberate killing of a large group of people, especially those of a particular ethnic group or nation
Proliferating- increase rapidly in numbers; multiply
Sedentary- tending to spend much time seated; somewhat inactive
Assimilating- incorporate; take one group and put it in another
Deranged- mad; insane
Demarcated- set the boundaries or limits
Insidiously- stealthy; secretly
Gauguin- French Post-Impressionist artist who was not well appreciated until after his death
1. The Brazilian government is reluctant to enforce the removal because of how valuable they are to their economy money wise, and to avoid causing any sort of commotion. With there being so few numbers left in the Awa tribe, they could easily force them to leave, but they are thinking more of what could benefit them.
4. I think that the tribes, if wanted to be contacted, should be for their protection. However, if they refuse contact, they should respect it and leave them alone. I think it would be fair if they did protect them from afar, but it’s quite possible that they won’t, to leave themselves out of any sort of commotion, or things that could hurt their economy.
Faith Armstrong
ReplyDelete1. gravitas - dignity
2. indigenous – native people
3. proletariat – working-class people
4. genocide – mass killing of a particular people group
5. proliferating – rapid increase
6. sedentary – somewhat inactive
7. assimilating – liken
8. deranged - mad
9. demarcated – set boundaries or limits of
10. insidiously – stealthy
1. They are probably reluctant to remove them because they do see the needs of the many Brazil outweigh the needs of the others. It seems ridiculous to me that they would feel the need to remove them because that is their native land. They don’t know anything else, no other way to live. It would be the same as the native tribes taking over the land from the Brazilian people and making them live like the indigenous peoples. They wouldn’t like, nor would they know what to do. It’s the same scenario.
3. It was probably a touchy subject for him because of the tension between the native people and the Brazilian people. He probably felt as though it was easier and better for him in the long run to say that he was Brazilian. Race is important because that is the way people view other people. That does not necessarily make it right or acceptable, but it does happen. There was a main difference in the way they lived, I think. Whenever you are around someone who doesn’t live like you, it’s awkward, and instead of learning how to get along, the Brazilian people just wanted to wipe out the smaller people group so that they could take over the land for their benefit.
gravitas- Dignity, seriousness, or solemnity of manner.
ReplyDeleteindigenous- Originating or occurring naturally in a particular place; native.
proletariat- Workers or working-class people, regarded collectively (often used with reference to Marxism).
genocide- The deliberate killing of a large group of people, especially those of a particular ethnic group or nation.
proliferating- Increase rapidly in numbers; multiply.
sedentary- Tending to spend much time seated; somewhat inactive.
assimilating- Take in (information, ideas, or culture) and understand fully.
deranged- Mad; insane.
demarcated- Set the boundaries or limits of.
insidiously- Having a gradual and cumulative effect.
Paul Gauguin was a very old art worker who dumped his family, bullied his friends, ripped off ideas and lied about his past. After all of this, though, he still produced beautiful works of art.
2. The author now sees the world as a place of not only technology, but old ways of past. She notices the little things that no one would in big cities, from the rooster showing off to the the little dogs rolling on the ground, carefree and boundless. She feels passionate and wants to help them keep what land they have left. These feelings help her very well throughout the essay, even inevitably help move the government to move in and help the Awá culture.
3. The cab driver might have come from a culture that was horrid and just hates it all together. Although his culture might have been whipped out. All together we don't really know why he's so touchy about some stranger knowing his culture, we can deduce that this subject might be very touchy for individuals. Meaning they might hate their culture, been exiled from it, ran away from it, or just think these "tourist" will just make fun of them.
By the way, This is Hayden Blakemore
Delete1. Gravitas- dignity, seriousness, or solemnity of manner
ReplyDelete2. Indigenous- native people
3. Proletariat- under class; poor; labor class
4. Genocide- the deliberate killing of a large group of people, especially those of a particular ethnic group or nation
5. Proliferating- increase rapidly in numbers; multiply
6. Sedentary- tending to spend much time seated; somewhat inactive
7. Assimilating- incorporate; take one group and put it in another
8. Deranged- mad; insane
9. Demarcated- set the boundaries or limits
10. Insidiously- stealthy; secretly
11. Gauguin- French Post-Impressionist artist who was not well appreciated until after his death
Q1. The Brazilian government is in a position that if they tried to remove the loggers who are clearing land that is making more room and making money, the poor etc would most likely try a rebellion which would cause more fighting poverty and famine. In my option just because there is only 56 of the Awa (whom were mostly killed by the Brazilian people) are still people. If the government was to take their land, what stops them from taking all the forest? Which would then leave no forest left and even more people would be homeless and in their case no means of survival.
Q4. If they do not want to be contacted that is their choice and may have resins behind it- One of which is they don’t trust the people whom killed their ancestors and stole what was once their ancestral life. They should just be left alone. If they haven’t been seen and caused any trouble now, if the forest was left untouched and their game and life as is, there shouldn't be any controversy or deaths.
Question 3
ReplyDeleteIn most cultures race is very important. Here in the U.S. while race might be a touchy subject on occasion it is still does not necessarily hold the prestige that a lot of countries have for the individual tribe/races within their borders. All over the world peoples race is a mark of lineage, a mark of pride. Where you come from determines so much. Your race determines who you can marry, where you can live, what kind of jobs you can get. It is almost like the caste system in medieval times. A persons race is like caste in which you were born. This could end up being a touchy subject because all castes (races) feel that theirs is the best and no outsider could understand, much less really care. So when the cab driver says “I’m Brazilian” it is almost like saying “it’s complicated” to someone you do not really want to explain the situation to.
Question 4
Both options are very dangerous because it is nearly impossible to keep all interference from the tribe, but if directly contacted you could pretty much wipe out a culture. If the tribes were to be left completely alone their culture might last long and flourish, but with deforestation, development, and even just disease, the possibility of complete isolation is impossible. Yet if contacted the culture and history of an entire race could virtually disappear within a few years if not months. As for contacting them for their own good, who are we (or the government) to decide what is their own good. If they have never been contacted then how would we know customs or beliefs, much less what they believe is good or bad for them.
gravitas-dignity, seriousness, or solemnity of manner
indigenous -originating or occurring naturally in a particular place; native
proletariat -workers or working-class people
genocide -the deliberate killing of a large group of people, especially those of a particular ethnic group or nation.
proliferating-increase rapidly in numbers; multiply.
sedentary-tending to spend much time seated; somewhat inactive.
assimilating-take in (information, ideas, or culture) and understand fully.
deranged-mad; insane.
demarcated-set the boundaries or limits of.
insidiously-causing harm in a way that is gradual or not easily noticed.
gravitas- a very serious quality or manner
ReplyDeleteindigenous- produced, living, or existing naturally in a particular region or environment
proletariat- the lowest social or economic class of a community
Bessie-Mei Soh
genocide- the deliberate killing of people who belong to a particular racial, political, or cultural group
proliferating- to increase in number or amount quickly
sedentary- staying or living in one place instead of moving to different places
assimilating- to cause (a person or group) to become part of a different society, country, etc.
deranged- to disturb the operation or functions of
demarcated- to show the limits or edges of (something)
insidiously- causing harm in a way that is gradual or not easily noticed
Ganguin- A French post-impressionist?
3) I believe the situation is similar to when you ask an American their race and they say, "I'm black Irish, Dutch, Portuguese and Russian with a bit of Native American on my mother's side." Since America is such a mixed country, racial identity isn't as simple here since many are "mutts." If Brazilian culture is mixed as well, I could see a sense of pride felt in "claiming a race." Another motive for the driver might be the fact that he "looks like an Indian" and is constantly mistaken for one; I can see how that would get irritating. Compared the all these Brazilian "mutts", the Awá are "pure". It might be slight envy of that, or just intolerance for a people so different, that helps fuel the conflict.
4) This is similar to a video game I played in which an alien race contacted Earth and shared their technology with us. We didn't get the benefit of evolving on our own, growing into our own conclusions. Instead we accepted the conclusion of another civilisation, loosing all possibilities of a "uniquely earth" future. Had the aliens not aided or even contacted us, we might have developed superior technology based on systems that would be more perfectly suited to Earth. Because of the intervention, this possibility is lost forever. I think the Brazilians should leave these people as they request: untouched. It would be unfair to them to snuff out their possibilities of a new and different future by throwing them onto our track of progress.
Preston Hawkins
ReplyDeleteQuestion 1
If the brazilian government were to enforce the removal of the invasores, who are comprived partly of braziallians, then that would mean those people would be out of work and have no source of income. The Braziallian government most likley feels that the wellbeing of their people is more important than the culture and ways of the few remaining tribes within the rainforest. The logging in the Amazon is most likley one of brazil's highest source of money, if they were to restrict that then Brazil could lose money.
Question 4
If the uncontacted tribes in the rain forest were to be informed of the potential threat of deforestion it could be good or it could be bad. The tribes could retalliate if informed of the oncoming deforestion (Have you seen James Camerons Avatar?) It could also be good if they were informed so that they could prepare for the emminent destruction of their homeland.
gravitas-dignity, seriousness, or solemnity of manner
indigenous -originating or occurring naturally in a particular place; native
proletariat -workers or working-class people
genocide -the deliberate killing of a large group of people, especially those of a particular ethnic group or nation.
proliferating-increase rapidly in numbers; multiply.
sedentary-tending to spend much time seated; somewhat inactive.
assimilating-take in (information, ideas, or culture) and understand fully.
deranged-mad; insane.
demarcated-set the boundaries or limits of.
insidiously-causing harm in a way that is gradual or not easily noticed.
Krysta Brown
ReplyDeleteGravitas- seriousness or sobriety, as of conduct or speech
Indigenous- originating in and characteristic of a particular region or country; native
Proletariat-the class of wage earners, especially those who earn their living by manual labor or who are dependent for support on daily or casual employment; the working class
Genocide-the deliberate and systematic extermination of a national, race, political, or cultural group
Proliferating-to increase in number or spread rapidly and often excessively
Sedentary-characterized by or requiring a sitting posture
Assimilating- To take in and incorporate as one’s own; absorb
Deranged-insane; disordered, disarranged
Demarcated-to separate distinctly
Insidiously-intended to entrap on beguile; stealthily treacherous or deceitful
Gauguin was a French Post-Impressionist artist.
3.) I feel as if in many countries race becomes a very touchy subject. In this particular case I feel as if they people of mixed race are treated as if they are less of a person than those of one single race. Whether we realize it or not in every country there is an issue of race. Whether it be on purpose or accidental it is typical that one race is told that they are more beautiful than the others.
4.) In any situation danger is going to present itself to these isolated tribes. I think the Brazilian government should leave them alone and silently protect them from afar so that the tribe’s culture is preserved and protected.
Richard Helms
ReplyDeleteGravitas- dignity, seriousness, or solemnity of manner
Indigenous- native people
Proletariat- lowest class, lives in poverty
Genocide- the deliberate killing of a large group of people, especially those of a particular ethnic group or nation
Proliferating- increase rapidly in numbers
Sedentary-tending to spend much time seated; somewhat inactive.
Assimilating- merge one group into another
Deranged- insane, crazy
Demarcated- to set limits
Insidiously- stealthy
1. One of the big causes of this is the fact that the Brazilian government is very corrupt. They do not want to enforce what they know is right for the people. The needs of the many do outweigh the needs of the few in most cases but this is going about that in a horrible way by killing off a people who have done nothing but try to stay in the shadows of the jungle.
4. While leaving the tribes alone may be a good option it may also allow the loggers to move in without the knowledge of the government and would put the tribes in a much harder place. Without at least some contact they can not know what is going on with the people so i think that protection from afar with contact every now and again would be in the best interest of keeping the tribes in their lands.