The Giving Environment hunter gathers

 "The Giving Environment" by Nurit Bird-David

Cultural Environmental Metaphors:

Collective Insurance Against Natural Fluctuations: Gatherer-hunters, such as the Nayaka, have a system of sharing that serves as a kind of collective insurance against environmental uncertainties. For instance, the Nayaka see their environment as a parent that provides food, which fosters a culture of sharing without expecting immediate reciprocity. The idea that gatherer-hunters are different from agricultural societies is called into question because they frequently have financial relationships with farming neighbors and may even cultivate themselves. For instance, the Nayaka occasionally engage in sporadic cultivation and have close relationships with agricultural communities.

Cultural Environmental Metaphors: The metaphor "forest is parent," which the Nayaka use to describe their surroundings, influences both their social and economic connections. Agricultural societies like as the Bette and Mullu Kurumba, on the other hand, see nature as "ancestors," which results in a reciprocity-based system of obligations. By referring to the forest spirits as "big father" and "big mother," for instance, the Nayaka emphasize a caring bond.

Distribution and Property Relations Patterns:

Rather than rigorous reciprocity, Nayaka distribution procedures are defined by giving and receiving.

As an illustration, when a Nayaka hunter brings back wildlife, the flesh is divided equally among all community members, irrespective of who helped with the hunt.

In describing their environment, the Nayaka employ the metaphor "forest is parent," which has an impact on their social and economic relationships. In contrast, agricultural cultures such as the Bette and Mullu Kurumba saw nature as "ancestors," leading to a system of obligations based on reciprocity. For example, by calling the forest spirits "big father" and "big mother," the Nayaka highlight a protective relationship.
Patterns of Distribution and Property Relations: Nayaka distribution practices are characterized by giving and receiving rather than strict reciprocity. For example, when a Nayaka hunter returns with a kill, the meat is distributed equally among all members of the village, regardless of who assisted in the hunt.

Cultural Repercussions:

With consequences for how communities engage with their surroundings and one another, the disparities in economic systems are a reflection of larger cultural values and social structures. For instance, the Bette and Mullu Kurumba see nature as ancestors, emphasizing personal responsibilities and reciprocity, whereas the Nayaka see the forest as a parent, encouraging a collective approach of resource sharing. While the Capitalocene criticizes the profit-driven motivations driving excessive consumerism, the Anthropocene emphasizes the enormous influence that people have on the planet. A distinct viewpoint that stresses sustainability and connection within the framework of Himalayan Buddhism challenges the prevailing narratives influenced by commercial interests.Himalayan Buddhism promotes the idea that human behavior can affect geological processes through moral and ethical considerations, viewing humans as essential to the ecological balance. By arguing that the Anthropocene narrative ignores indigenous conceptions of environmental stewardship, this viewpoint challenges it. The Capitalocene paradigm also challenges the ways in which environmental deterioration and excessive consumption are caused by profit objectives. Himalayan Buddhism, on the other hand, promotes mindfulness and moderation, supporting ways of living that honor the boundaries of nature and put one's health above worldly wealth. Rethinking consumption patterns and acknowledging the ethical consequences of our actions on the planet are made possible by incorporating these Buddhist principles. This will ultimately provide insights into sustainable practices and change how we think about human geological agency in the face of environmental crises and climate change.