Tuesday, January 28, 2020

Yanomamo Tribe Essay Example for Free

Yanomamo Tribe Essay The Yanomamo tribes are a large population of native people in South America. They often reside in the Amazon rainforest, between the border of Brazil and Venezuela. Since their place of residency is remote and isolated, they have remained secluded from many aspects in the outside world. Due to their isolation, there are several characteristics of their culture and lifestyle that are affected by this. Some factors that result from their seclusion are their domestic life, clothing and diet. The Yanomamo’s physical environment consists of villages that usually contain their kin and lineages. The villages consist of about fifty people. In these villages they have a communal system, where they all live under one common roof called the shabono. The shabonos are an oval shape hut with covering around the edges but open ground in the center. The roof is supported by posts which signify each family’s individual areas. These habitats are built from raw materials from the surrounding jungle, such as leaves, vines and tree trunks. Unfortunately, when horrific conditions, such as weather and infestation of insects and animals occur, shabonos are very susceptible to damage. As a result, shabonos are rebuilt every one to two years. Not only do the Yanomamo use nature for their shabonos, they also depend on the forest for their â€Å"slash and burn† horticulture. â€Å"Slash and burn† horticulture is when they cut and burn forests to create fields for agriculture. When the areas become overused they from the â€Å"slash and burn† horticulture, the Yanomamo use shifting cultivation. Shifting cultivation is an agricultural system in which plots of land are cultivated temporarily, and then abandoned. This requires clearing a piece of land followed by several years of farming in order to loosen the soil for fertility. The Yanomamo are known as hunters, fishers, and horticulturists, cultivating as their main crops plantains and cassava. Another food source for the Yanomamo grubs. Traditionally they did not farm, and the practice of felling palms in order to facilitate the growth of grubs was their closest approach to cultivation. The conventional diet of the Yanomamo is low in salt, which makes their blood pressure the lowest of any cultural group on the planet. Historically, the Yanomamo were known as endocannibals. Endocannibalism is a rare form of cannibalism that usually occurs after death. The body of the deceased is burned in a remote region away from the village. The remaining bones and ash are then made into a fine powder which is then mixed into the juice of a plantain to make a beverage. This beverage is consumed by the deceased person’s relatives. This is called â€Å"drinking of the dead† which is thought to be the way for the deceased person’s soul to enter the body of their living descendants. They believe that this proves them with a spiritual and physical strength so they can fight the evils of the jungle. Another way that the Yanomamo connect with the spirits of the jungle is by taking hallucinogens. Hallucinogenic drugs are taken on a daily basis, because drugs are commonly available from the jungle. Some aspects found in nature that can be made into many different drugs are; the yakowana tree and the hisiomo tree. The yakowana trees bark is ground into snuff powder with they use to snort. The hisiomo trees seeds are packed into a cigar shaped and traded among the villages. One drug that is taken every day by the Yanomamo is called yopo. Yopo is made by grinding several natural roots and vines that are gathered in the rainforest. It is consumed by blowing the powder into another Yanomamo’s nostrils with a long tube called a mokohiro. Using this drug is very painful and causes blinding pains in the head and nausea. After they have achieved a trance state, they communicate with the spirit world and relate what they are seeing with chanting and dancing. This is one way that the Yanomamo connect with their fellow neighbors. Another way the Yanomamo unite with each other is through celebration. They celebrate a good harvests with a big feast to which nearby villages are invited. This celebration helps to maintain good relations with their neighbors by sharing their harvest. During the celebration, they decorate their bodies with feathers and flowers, eat a lot of food and the women dance and sing all night. These two aspects of the Yanomamo culture not only shows their social organization with fellow tribes but also their ideological aspects of culture. The technological advances of the Yanomamo include; baskets, wooden spears, arrow points, fire making sticks, quivers, bows and arrows, and blow guns. The women weave and decorate the baskets. They make both flat baskets and burden baskets which are carried by a strap around the forehead. Fire sticks are still often used to make a fire. The men carry quivers containing extra carved wooden spear and arrow points when they are out hunting. Around the outside of the quiver they also tie the fire making sticks. Making fire with sticks is a long and arduous process requiring skill and agility. Each quiver contains a bow and three arrows, which are designed to hunt small game. In order to make a blown gun, a piece of cane is used as the shaft which must be long and straight. A mouthpiece is added to one end of the cane which is cut or carved from wood. The darts for the blow dun are made by sharpening fibers and balance on the end with either cotton or the fiber of the kapok tree. They often use poison on the ends of the darts. They get this poison from a frog that inhabits there. After an extensive assessment of the life of the Yanomamo culture it is evident to me that the physical and social environment influenced their way of life tremendously. The location of the Yanomamo is a key role in their lifestyle based on the resources available to them including food sources, raw materials and supplies. If they didn’t live in their initial environment, nothing would be the same. By living in this environment, their culture has already established their lifestyles through surroundings due to the shabonos and way of agriculture. The way the shabonos are built cause the Yanomamo to become close with one another to become one big tribe. Without their way of agriculture, the Yanomamo’s wouldn’t consume the same foods, or even hunt the same way. Hallucinogens are another aspect that contributes to the physical environment. Without their environment, drugs wouldn’t be so prominent and their whole way of connecting to the spirits would change. Lastly, technology would change since they make their baskets and quivers out of nature resources found in their environment such as wood and cane. The social environment of the Yanomamo also plays a big part in their culture. The Yanomamo do hallucinogens with fellow neighbors to connect to the spirits and also forms a sense of belongingness with each other. When they do the hallucinogens they come together and connect to the spirits as one with song and dance. Aside from that, they also unite with each other through celebration. They celebrate a good harvests with a big feast to which nearby villages are invited which helps to maintain good relations with their neighbors. If the Yanomamo didn’t share their harvest with each other, they wouldn’t have as much food as they do and wouldn’t be able to survive alone. The Yanomamo use both physical and social environments in order to prosper and thrive in life.

Monday, January 20, 2020

Overpopulation and the Environment :: essays research papers

OVERPOPULATION & THE ENVIRONMENT   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  I believe that the number of humans that live on this planet is the problem. We should develop new processes for stabilizing the current population. Overpopulation is becoming one of the most preeminent problems facing human civilization. This complicated, pervasive issue is a problem of the utmost importance for people of all races, religions, and nationalities. With our endless need of new information, we should be able to develop unique process to end these problems.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Our planet now provides for approximately 5.8 billion people, with projections of around 10 billion by the year 2050. Two billion of these are extremely poor, the poorest of which live in absolute poverty and misery. The affects of overpopulation on human society are numerous. Suffering from a lack of resources, people are often driven to war when they become too populated for their available resources.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Increasing amounts of food, energy, water, and shelter are required to fulfill the needs of today’s society. The amount of land required for food production will grow increasingly larger, while the amount of available land will grow increasingly smaller. The resources required to maintain this rapid development is putting a strain on our current supplies of energy. Much of our energy is derived from the burning of fossil fuels releasing millions of tons of toxins into the atmosphere. All of the toxins released into the atmosphere cause harm to the environment as well as those who live around these locations. Currently there are groups with the sole purpose of saving the environment.

Sunday, January 12, 2020

Single Sex Schools

Single Sex Schools In the present era, many of us have heard people, especially parents, discussing different topics concerning their children’s future. What are good things for them and what are not? One of these subjects is which school do you prefer to send your children to, single sex schools or co-ed schools? The answers are different depending on many reasons that support each person’s opinion, but for me I support schooling at single sex schools for the following reasons. First, at single sex schools there are fewer distractions for both boys and girls which lead to increased improvement in grade and test scores thus leading to superior academic achievement. On the contrary, at co-ed schools more fragmentation of attention which reduces the improvement of the education. Second, the students at single sex school have higher educational aspirations, more confidence in their abilities, and more positive attitude toward academics than students have at co-ed schools. Finally, single sex education protects the students from immorality and temptation. As a result, this arrangement will reduce the number of teen pregnancy and the number of students with sexually transmitted diseases that increases at co-education. The only drawback that makes many of the people (parents) not prefer education at these separated schools is the idea that students from single sex schools are more hesitant expressing their views in front of the opposite sex, and they have more trouble forming friendships with the opposite sex as well, but for me that’s not true. I believe they can interact in many different places such as their neighborhoods and other public areas. So let us leave the schools for studying only. In conclusion, I recommend replacing all middle and high schools to single sex schools. Why? Because the game of who likes who, who’s going out with whom, and who’s cool and who’s not, begin in these ages. So to broaden the student’s horizons, to allow them to feel free to explore their own strengths and interests and to create a successful generation I’d say yes to single sex schools. Single Sex Schools Single Sex Schools In the present era, many of us have heard people, especially parents, discussing different topics concerning their children’s future. What are good things for them and what are not? One of these subjects is which school do you prefer to send your children to, single sex schools or co-ed schools? The answers are different depending on many reasons that support each person’s opinion, but for me I support schooling at single sex schools for the following reasons. First, at single sex schools there are fewer distractions for both boys and girls which lead to increased improvement in grade and test scores thus leading to superior academic achievement. On the contrary, at co-ed schools more fragmentation of attention which reduces the improvement of the education. Second, the students at single sex school have higher educational aspirations, more confidence in their abilities, and more positive attitude toward academics than students have at co-ed schools. Finally, single sex education protects the students from immorality and temptation. As a result, this arrangement will reduce the number of teen pregnancy and the number of students with sexually transmitted diseases that increases at co-education. The only drawback that makes many of the people (parents) not prefer education at these separated schools is the idea that students from single sex schools are more hesitant expressing their views in front of the opposite sex, and they have more trouble forming friendships with the opposite sex as well, but for me that’s not true. I believe they can interact in many different places such as their neighborhoods and other public areas. So let us leave the schools for studying only. In conclusion, I recommend replacing all middle and high schools to single sex schools. Why? Because the game of who likes who, who’s going out with whom, and who’s cool and who’s not, begin in these ages. So to broaden the student’s horizons, to allow them to feel free to explore their own strengths and interests and to create a successful generation I’d say yes to single sex schools.

Saturday, January 4, 2020

Mary Shelley s Frankenstein, And The Creature - 2747 Words

Growing up in a world learning a set of rules that are taught by love ones and then being push out of the world by following them. In Mary Shelley s life, she grew up listening to her father s rules then being looked down upon by being with someone she loved. She is young and is trying to find herself in the world. The story Frankenstein, written by Mary Shelley looks through the three characters of Captain Walton, Victor Frankenstein, and the Creature. The characters each have a different goal to achieve. When they achieve that goal, gaining the knowledge will either improve their well being or turn into a disaster. In Shelley s Frankenstein, the attainment of knowledge does improve and corrupt each of the characters through the perspective of literary allusion, science, and Gothic horror. First, Captain Walton was corrupted and improved through the perspective of literary allusion. Captain Walton wanted to go on a long journey putting himself and his men at risk. The captain was waiting to go by the sea of ice to travel to the North Pole and see the wondrous sight of the land. Captain Walton wants to gain fame and fortune by finding a way through the ice to the North Pole. He read lots of books and poems on big adventures and quests. That is what got him so intrigued in traveling where no man has gone before. He wanted to be well known like his favorite poets Shakespeare or Homer. He will even have his own crew men die from the long cold voyage out to sea just toShow MoreRelatedMary Shelley s Frankenstein And The Creature1244 Words   |  5 PagesFrankenstein Reading â€Å"Frankenstein†, there are many characters and plot twists, all of which become relevant through the book. Mary Shelley did a great job evolving these characters, with the detail and intricate story line. There are two main characters, Victor Frankenstein and the creature. Many opinions can be given about the two main characters because different things have other meanings to different readers. Victor was a mean and selfish man, but he had the courage and the strength to goRead MoreThe Creature Of Mary Shelley s Frankenstein 1042 Words   |  5 PagesThroughout Frankenstein, the creature was not looked at as human because of some of his features. He had different features than most humans did. He was very strong, and frightened others by his physical appearance. The creature contains the body parts of other humans. The creature has feelings for others. He has an understanding that he is not like the rest, so he does his best to blend in. He does his best to comm unicate with other humans. 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The novel cannot be classified as both, a real description and a fiction narrative, at the same time. An informed opinion about this controversy requires the evaluation of redundant critics. Sherry Ginn uses â€Å"Mary Shelley s Frankenstein: Science, Science Fiction, or AutobiographyRead MoreThe Creature And Protagonist Of The Story Of Mary Shelley s Frankenstein1262 Words   |  6 PagesVictor Frankenstein: creator of the creature and protagonist of the story †¢ Henry Clerval: Frankenstein s best friend who is murdered by the creature †¢ Elizabeth Lavenza: lived with Frankenstein family; married Victor †¢ Robert Walton: explorer who met Frankenstein on the Arctic ice †¢ Margaret Saville: recipient of a series of letters from her brother, Robert Walton †¢ Justine Moritz: wrongly executed for the murder of young William Frankenstein †¢ Felix De Lacey: unknowingly taught the creature to readRead MoreThe Miserable And Wretched Creatures Of Mary Shelley s Frankenstein And Charles Dickens s A Christmas Carol1697 Words   |  7 Pagesand wretched creatures of Mary Shelley’s â€Å"Frankenstein† and Charles Dickens’s â€Å"A Christmas Carol† are all products of the same social and cultural forces, however one is more noticeably linked to these issues while the other is more abstract. The two child-like spirits, Ignorance and Want, serve as warnings to Scrooge that society will be littered with people ignorant and wanting like he is if he does not change his attitudes toward the poor. The relationship between Victor Frankenstein and his monsterRead MoreAnalysis Of Mary Shelley s Frankenstein 1184 Words   |  5 PagesThroughout Frankenstein, Mary Shelley uses a ‘framed narrative using three different characters who tell their story at different times of the novel. In the beginn ing of the story, the audience receives Captain Walton s point of view, who primarily writes letters to his sister Margaret Saville, in England. Secondly, the audience comes hand in hand with Victor Frankenstein s point of view and within his narrative, they receive the indomitable Creature s point of view. The major theme portrayedRead MoreThe Myth Of Mary Shelley s Frankenstein Essay1204 Words   |  5 Pagesfiction, Frankenstein. Shelley’s Frankenstein was deeply influenced by the Prometheus myth ranging from the history of the title, the action of the main character, and the consequences of performing the action. When the book was first published, Mary Shelley gave a hint of the Prometheus origin in the name of the book. Her original title in 1818 for this book was called â€Å"Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus.† After the overwhelming success of Frankenstein in 1818, Percy Shelley, Mary Shelley’sRead MoreAnalysis Of Mary Shelley s Frankenstein 1527 Words   |  7 PagesShelley s narrative is seen to symbolize romantic fears, offering a tale of certain demise, one that gives technology negative connotations in the form of the creature whom is represented as an outcast of society. To emphasise this, the sublime settings in the text, provide a space where the marginalised can be heard, however, for in contrast to the power of beauty which works to contain and maintain social distinctions, the sublime in Frankenstein opens the way for the excluded to challenge theRead MoreFrankenstein, By Mary Shelley Essay953 Words   |  4 PagesThroughout Mary Shelley’s book, Fra nkenstein, illness represents an essential theme. Shelley predominately uses illness to portray the desperate attempts of the main character, Victor Frankenstein, to withdraw from the brutality of reality. During the novel the frequent appearance of illness insinuates an ambiguous implication. However, the role infirmity plays and the reasoning for Frankenstein s recurring illness remain open to the interpretation of the reader. Overall, the continual use of illness