Cultural Metaphor in ecology

                           Cultural Metaphor



The study calls for a reevaluation of how we categorize and understand various economic systems, particularly those of indigenous peoples. The article argues that the economic models of gatherer-hunters are culturally constituted and reflect their worldview. A more communal and relational approach to resources is highlighted by the Nayaka's practices, which challenge Western economic assumptions about scarcity and individual ownership. Bird-David concludes that understanding the economic systems of gatherer-hunters requires recognizing their unique cultural perspectives and the metaphors that shape their interactions with the environment and one another.


The ideas, customs, identities, values, and worldviews that influence how people engage with nature are all included in culture. Since humans employ their cognitive capacities to create and adapt, resulting in innovations like technology, human agency, nature, and culture are intertwined. Sedentary communities, for instance, developed during the Neolithic era as people started domesticating wild plants and animals, increasing the amount of food produced. From the Stone Age to the Iron Age, innovations like mining methods and hunting implements changed cultures. But as farming methods advanced, technology was frequently used sparingly, which occasionally resulted in a detachment from nature. People believe in local deities that personify nature, such as birth deities and territory deities, in various civilizations, including those in the Himalayas. Rituals that honor these deities, including presenting milk, smoke, or alcohol, are essential to their cultural customs and reflect these beliefs. For example, rituals are carried out to appease local deities in certain Himalayan communities, strengthening the bond between nature and culture.
       
           For example from Bhutanese contexts
-The mandala, used in religious art and rituals, is a metaphor for the universe and inner peace. It represents the Bhutanese worldview of interconnectedness, balance, and spiritual journey.
        


- Prayer flags (lungta, or wind horse) are a metaphor for the transmission of spiritual blessings through the wind. They symbolize the spread of compassion, peace, and goodwill—core Bhutanese values.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Reflections on foundational theories

Image
Ecological Modernization Theory   Means that modification or innovation of environmental landscape  or nature through the modern technology. Developed by: Joseph Huber, Martin Janicke, and Arthur PJ. Mol in the early 1980s. To combine environmental policies with industrial and economic growth, moving past just relying on technology to include changes in institutions and society. Example: Germany’s Energiewende (shift to renewable energy) and Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness (focusing on sustainability and well-being and risk of damaging dam construction by landslide and flood. Ecological Rationality Incorporating environmental factors into institutions, policies, and cultural practices. Examples:The Netherlands’ circular economy policies that focus on reducing waste in city planning. Japan's Mottainai culture, which emphasizes minimizing waste through resourcefulness. Science & Technology in Reform  Promoting innovation in clean technology for sustainable production...
Read more

Foundational Theories of Environmental sociology

Image
                                            Malthusian Perspective Thomas Robert Malthus,1766 February 13th,England Surrey. Malthus believed that the number of people grows faster than the amount of food we can produce. Because of this, There would fundamental imbalance be to people and not enough or insufficient subsistence food will be depletion or decrease, which leading to hunger and big problems in society like wars and famine . Thomas Robert Malthus and His World Thomas Malthus first proposed Malthusian theory in a famous 1798 essay Malthusian Trap: This concept refers to the situation where population growth outstrips agricultural production. When population increase exceeds agricultural output, a situation known as the Malthusian Trap occurs, which results in famine, illness, and death. Impact on Darwin's Hypothesis Charles Darwin drew inspiration for his theory of n...
Read more

Discussion in class

We study about tread mill production theory and Multhusian perspective. Multhusian perspective talks about the social constructions can fundamental imbalance growth of population. Tread mill producation theory talks about the industrial revolution has consequences in environment.
Read more