The Amish Culture

Environment

Geographical Location:

The Amish have settled in towns all over the United States. The largest Amish settlements are in Lancaster County in south-central Pennsylvania, Elkhart and LaGrange counties in northeast Indiana, Missouri, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Holmes County, Ohio. As the largest of these settlements, Holmes County will be the area of focus in these environmental studies.

Climatic Description:

They experience all different types of weather year-round which is similar to that of the generations before the current one who migrated from Switzerland, France, Germany, Holland, Poland and Russia. In Holmes County, they must adapt to the lows of the winter months in the mid 20’s Fahrenheit to the highs of the summer which ranges in the 70’s and even climbs to the 80’s. They must also face heavy snow and rain throughout the year.

In 2011:

Average rainfall: 38”

Average snowfall: 28.2”

Sunny days: 172

Average summer high: 84 degrees Fahrenheit

Average winter low: 18.1 degrees Fahrenheit

Average Temperature:

January 25 February 27.9 March 37.6 April 47.8 May 58.6 June 67.3 July 71.3 August 69.4 September 62.7 October 50.9 November 40.5 December 30.3

Population Setting:

            The Amish live in a rural setting that includes rolling hills, plenty of land for farms and country roads. They live isolated from other cultures so there is little competition for resources because many Amish farm and provide their own resources.

Flora &Fauna

            Holmes County is very diverse in agriculture and is important to the local economy. Their agriculture includes livestock such as cows, pigs, horses, broilers, grains, oats, corn, forages, timber and much more.

Adaptations

Physical:

One physical adaptation of the Amish is their lighter skin. Original Amish came from Europe where it is not always sunny. Bodies produce melanin which acts as a natural, protective biological shield against ultraviolet radiation. There are necessary amounts of ultraviolet radiation that the skin must absorb from the sun for the body to produce vitamin D and the Amish peoples’ lighter skin allows the necessary amount to be absorbed. Their lighter skin does not shield the sun because they need to absorb more because of the lack of sunlight in Europe where the Amish migrated from. Their skin is a specific adaptation to living in a less sunny, European landscape.

Another physical adaptation of the Amish is that they have a higher rate of some diseases based on genetics. This is because the Amish have less contact with the outside society so they tend to be more inbred. This increases the risk of developing certain genetic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes or cancer that can be passed down.

Cultural:

One cultural adaptation exhibited by the Amish is their ability to manage their environment for farming. With how much flat land and the benefits farming provides, the farm lifestyle is the ideal goal for most Amish families. In Holmes county, they have cultivated almost 200,000 acres of land for farming. All of that land is being used to harvest crops and raise livestock that they eat and sell to make a living.

Another cultural adaptation exhibited by the Amish is their modes of transportation around their hilly environment. They trained horses and ride buggies to travel the windy roads of Holmes County. This lessens the physical strain they would have if they had to travel on the hills by foot.

The last cultural adaptation exhibited by the Amish is their choice of clothes. Women wear layers of long sleeved shirts under their traditional long dresses with a head bonnet while men wear pants to keep them warm during the cold months. This helps them adapt to the cold weather and live comfortably in the winter.

Language

The name of the language spoken by the Amish is English. It is spoken in many other countries but the pronunciation of words and accent that makes it different from other countries. The grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation of American native speakers of English are not identical to the grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation of other country’s speakers of English. It has a large number of possible tenses and many languages do not have a continuous tense form and it also has the largest vocabulary of any language. The English language has a written language with an alphabet that consists of 26 Roman letters. Most English speaking countries have always valued education especially of reading and writing. The Amish is no exception.

Gender Roles

Amish women are expected to marry, have multiple children and submit to their husband’s will. It is her responsibility to take care of her household chores such as cooking, cleaning, sewing and gardening. It is also her main responsibility to raise and teach their children from a young age instilling traditional gender roles and discipline in them. The Husband is considered the head of the family in both religious and societal matters but they make major decisions together. The entire family works and labors on farms. Men typically run the household finances but women sometimes also own small businesses and sell their products or services to support the family as well. Only men are allowed to take on religious leadership roles in their church which is the foundation of their society. Amish are very strict with their delineations of their gender roles. Crossing over is considered to be a denial of the culture and faith in which they have been indoctrinated their whole lives. Denial of culture is looked down upon.

An example of the relationship between biology and gender roles is the role of the child-bearing mother. It is her responsibility to care for, nurture, provide for and raise her child from the beginning of pregnancy. A man who is physically stronger can work manually more than a woman and provide for their family in that way.

            The Amish would not receive the protagonist from The Blessed Curse well. They are very traditional when it comes to their gender roles and this girl would not be seen as belonging in either the male or female group. She would be looked at as a complete outsider from the rest of the population.

Subsistence and Economic Systems

            The primary mode of subsistence of the Amish culture is through horticulture. The Amish farmers till their land which they later plant several crops annually depending on the season. The Amish also tend to their gardens and feed themselves. They raise cows for milk and meat, chickens and ducks for eggs and meat, pigs for ham, pork and sausage, orchards for fruit, huge vegetable gardens for the family, and they farm, or do woodworking, mostly, for cash.

            The main food items that make up the Amish diet include crops such as corn celery, beets, carrots, potatoes, tomatoes, peas, and a wide variety of other vegetables. Amish may have fruit trees or grapevines on their property as well.  Amish eat a lot of fresh foods in the growing and harvest months, and can large quantities of fruits and vegetables for the winter. Amish also raise their own livestock.  Many Amish have laying hens which produce eggs.  Chickens and pigs may also be slaughtered for meat. Amish purchase typical pre-packaged food in stores and markets as well.

            While generally the farming harvesting of crops for food is the responsibility of the entire family, storage of surplus food and cooking is an Amish housewife's responsibility. In preparation for the winter months when farming and harvesting is less common due to the weather conditions, Amish women can and freeze several hundred jars of fruits, vegetables and meats each year creating a surplus in food items.

            Amish are very health-conscious when it comes to food and nutrition. While very few have access to unhealthy junk food and fast food, they stick to homegrown, natural and organic foods which encourages a balanced diet. On the other hand, they eat a diet that’s fairly high in fat from sources such as meat and eggs. Despite this, their obesity rate is low.

Mainly Amish women work from their home however both sexes handle household finances and farm. For work, they both provide products and services to markets everywhere including other states and even overseas through the Internet. They make a living by selling of crops and goods such as furniture. Some shops in Holmes County are furniture shops, home décor shops, natural homemade skin care shops, and art shops.

Like everyone else in the United States, the Amish use the American dollar as currency.  Besides cash, they also open checking accounts and even use credit cards. They are engaged in trade through the use of currency through farming and businesses. Amish have to deal with negative side effects like traffic and tourist crowds too. Some are not as bothered by it.

Marriage

            The marriage pattern of the Amish is monogamous. Monogamous. Amish couples are expected to remain married to the mates they select as young adults. There is high inbreeding in the Amish population because they are so isolated from the rest of society.

            Each young man and woman determines marriage partners. They get to choose their own husband and wife after the courting process where they go to singings (the usual mixed recreation and primary courtship activity) or Sunday worship church together and spend time alone together.

            There is not necessarily economic exchange for the marriage but wedding gifts are presented to the couple. This does not devalue the meaning of the male to the female. After sometimes several years of courting, they know they are suitable for each other based on guidelines such as active membership in a church and the ability to support one another and that is enough. One is not more valued than the other.

            Amish are only allowed to marry within the church because the Amish church depends on the biological reproduction of its members rather than on acquiring new members. This is why it is very important that Amish marry within the church. Divorce, separation and homosexuality are unacceptable in the church. For these things, they would be shunned from their society, church and family.

            In the United States the Amish community is patrilocal. They often live with their in-laws and family until they are able to afford their own land and house.

Kinship

          Amish have large families that consists of many children and extended family. Some relatives also marry and have children with other relatives because they are isolated from outside populations.  Grandparents are a vital part of the family. They pass their farm down to their children and remain present in the lives of their family instilling wisdom in them and contributing by helping with chores and other ways. All members of the family are valued and important for the different roles they play (children helping with farming, father working, mother taking care of the house, etc.). Other descent lines are less emphasized.

            The male possesses the most authority within the family in this culture. They are the ones who inherit land from their father’s generation, they work and make most decisions for the sake of their family’s good. Most of the time, goods and property are passed on via descent lines to the oldest male in the family.

            The Amish naming patterns are similar to those in the Eskimo system and Iroquois system with names in common such as siblings, cousins, aunts, and uncles within the nuclear and extended families.

Violence

Social Organization:

            Generally the Amish culture is egalitarian. Within the Amish population, there is equal status and social power. They strive to avoid power relationships in terms of internal politics but there are usually several men who are the “leaders” of the community.

Political Structure:

            The Amish follow the same political structure as we know of in the United States as a republic. However involvement in government activities is generally low. They prefer not to receive subsidies from government programs. They will typically not serve in government committees or commissions, but will often consult and cooperate with local officials. The Amish generally avoid holding public office and engaging in political activism. They are, however, permitted to vote.

            Religious laws are determined by the leaders of the church who are influenced by the Bible. Laws of the Amish culture are determined by the government through voting and traditional laws. State authorities punish them for breaking the law determined by court with the possibility of fines or jail.

The Role of Violence:

            There has been a history of gang violence in some Amish societies. Feuds have resulted in physical harm and rivalry which negatively affects the culture. They reject the use of guns for violence in the Amish culture even out of self-defense. This positively affects culture because they do not have the option to use guns to kill another person and have other means of self-defense. The use of a gun in any other way besides hunting is considered to be a sin. For this reason, gun violence is virtually unknown amongst the Amish.

Religion

            The Amish practice Christianity. They believe that there is one God who came to the earth in human for as Jesus Christ. They base their beliefs on the Bible which they believe to be the word of God written through chosen prophets throughout time. In the first book of the Bible called Genesis, God created the first man and woman to ever walk the earth named Adam and Eve. They then gave birth to generations and generations of people who eventually gave birth to them so they believe that all people came from Adam and Eve. They are united as a church body and family with the common belief that all humankind is sinful and must atone for their sins by the belief in Jesus Christ and as a part of this family of God, they believe that it is their duty to fulfill God’s purposes on the earth which is to have faith in God, love God and worship God.

            The Amish devote themselves to a life of holiness, love and discipline. As adults, Amish choose whether they want to commit to Christianity, and be baptized or not into the church which is basically a public proclamation of their commitment to the faith and salvation from hell. If they breach religious guidelines, they are to be shunned from the Amish community and are forced to leave their family, friends and lives behind. They must also cut off all form of contact within the community. It is taken extremely seriously.

            The Amish culture revolves around their religious practices. It would not function without it because it is what their society was built on. If they do not agree, they have the option of disgracing everyone and everything they believe in and leaving the Amish culture.

Art

Artwork: It is most commonly expressed in the Amish culture through paintings, hand made quilts, fine crafted furniture, baskets, woodwork, and more. They are sold and benefit artists financially.

Music: Folk and country songs are sang at singings which is a mixed recreation for teenagers equivalent to a dance. They do not dance to the music or play instruments but sing together.

Performance: The Amish do not perform in theaters or dance however there are many theater shows and performances dedicated to showing their lifestyle.

Religious Art: Tradition hymns are sang in church as a form of worship.

Conclusion

            The Amish has been affected by other cultures in that they do not let themselves to be affected by other cultures. Confusing? Well, they live their lives in a world that they like to keep almost completely separate from other cultures. They stick to the traditions and rules that they have had for years based on the Bible and any other influence is not allowed or acceptable. It is sometimes said that the Amish live “stuck in time” so their role in the modern world is quite minimal. Besides the handmade goods and homegrown crops they contribute, the lack of commonalities makes their role in the modern world weak. Even something so vital to most of the rest of the world like electricity is not used in the Amish society because it is a connection to the Godless world. However, they do teach the modern world what it is like to live a lifestyle that is completely devoted to religion and how it is possible to succeed in that way. Despite these huge differences and difficult everyday standards, this lifestyle has worked well for them so far and it is a healthy and thriving culture.

Bibliography

http://amishamerica.com/amish-community/

http://www.homefacts.com/weather/Ohio/Holmes-County/Millersburg.htm

http://www.ohioamishcountry.com/

http://www.landinstitute.org/pages/Bender%202003%20AJAA.pdf

http://holmes.osu.edu/topics/agriculture-and-natural-resources/county-topic-home

http://amishamerica.com/where-do-the-amish-come-from/

http://esl.fis.edu/grammar/langdiff/english.htm

http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/exchange/node/3348

http://www.ehow.com/info_8182098_gender-roles-amish.html

http://www2.etown.edu/amishstudies/Family.asp

http://amishamerica.com/what-do-amish-eat/

http://healthmad.com/nutrition/what-can-you-learn-from-the-amish-about-staying-healthy/

http://www.everyculture.com/North-America/Amish-Economy.html

http://amishamerica.com/amish-and-religion-in-court/?cid=22594

http://amishamerica.com/do-the-amish-use-money/

http://www.everyculture.com/North-America/Amish-Marriage-and-Family.html

http://www.as.wvu.edu/~kgarbutt/QuantGen/Gen535_2_2004/Inbreeding_Humans.htm

http://www.articlemyriad.com/amish-issues-group-communal-living/

http://www.beliefnet.com/News/2006/10/Violence-Unknown-Among-The-Amish.aspx

http://www.welcome-to-lancaster-county.com/amish-religion.html

http://fineartamerica.com/art/all/amish/all

Art as a Culture

1. Throughout all time and in every culture, art in general has served as a way to reflect a society's ideas, values and concerns. The Lascaux caves in France contain pictures mainly of animals such as buffalo, horses, cattle, mythical animals, a bird, bear, rhinoceros, one human and more. Through the emphasis of animals and very little on humans, I think these cave artists were trying to express their society's appreciation and value of animals that they hunt, ate and admired as they lived among them. It could have been that they wanted to document and boast their hunting successes to others. They also could have a spiritual connection with these animals as many tribal and paleolithic cultures did. Some of the animals were depicted in the paintings to be in motion and this may be an example of the power and physical strength that the artists saw in these animals every day and they wanted to express the beauty in that. Through these paintings, you can tell that they really valued the nature and wild life around them. They dedicated almost all of these cave paintings to different animals so that the focus was not on people at all. This may have been because they believed and appreciated animals more than they valued each other as people because of the animals' purpose to them (food, clothing, etc). These paintings could tell us a lot about how much these cave dwellers cared about their art and valued expressing themselves just like how we know artists like to express themselves today for the same reasons. It is an outlet, an expression of talent and has some possible functions such as it is enjoyable recreationally, can be admired by many people, is relatable and is a way for others to know the society that painted them. In fact, they valued their art so much that they went through difficulties to even paint these pictures in the first place. The height of the ceilings and the low drops in the cave would have required some sort of scaffolding system to reach them and to cover as much wall space as the cave artists did. That could not have been easy. They also would have needed light to navigate around the dark caves and paint these pictures so they would have always needed lit torches.

2. Possible functions of art in general that also applies to these cave paintings that I pointed out are that it is an outlet of expression, it is enjoyable recreationally, it can be admired by all people, is relatable and is a way for others to know about the artist through what they painted. These functions still stand very true today in all forms of art, both modern and older forms like these cave paintings. It allows the artist, regardless of what time they lived in, to express their feelings, their surroundings and values in a fun, creative way. For example, if the artists of these cave paintings in fact painted these animals because of a spiritual connection or belief in a certain animal, that can be equivalent to Leonardo da Vinci's famous painting of The Last Supper. They both express a person's religious values.

3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0IDiVQxZYg
I am a huge fan of indie music. This video is an example of the style of music that I admire and want to explore more of. Not only am I interested in this particular genre of music, but the cinematography of the music video is quite prevalent throughout the indie genre and I want to explore more of that style as well with it's saturated colors, scenery, and cleverly artistic timing. I like how artists who practice this form of artistic expression use the video along with the music to tell a story as in this video. The visual of the video brings the song to life not just in one's ears and head, but now they can also see it. There is a culture that surrounds the indie music community. Artists and admirers make up this community and they all tend to be very passionate about this form of music and other artists. It is a job to many musicians and that entails living a certain lifestyle when traveling, playing their music, and meeting new people. It is all about sharing what they have created for others to enjoy and relate to. They speak through their lyrics and songs which is a language that anyone can understand and enjoy. That is why it benefits society: Because it does not matter who you are in the world, what time you live in or where, music is always relatable. It is something you can feel when you listen to it. It is a way that one can express exactly what they want to say or how they feel and relate it the lives of others.
       

Politics and Violence

1. There are many rules and laws in Western cultures against killing and even acts that could potentially lead to killing. Killing another person in Western culture is by far one of the worst and most punishable crimes one can commit. It is a cultural standard that it is just wrong to kill someone and these laws are followed and are highly prioritized by most people in the Western culture. This differs completely from the Yanomamo culture. Unlike the Western culture, rules and laws against killing are not structured when it comes to this matter. They have no formal laws or institutionalized adjudicators such as chiefs or judges.  This causes each person to have to rely on their own to settle differences with another whether they deal with it through vocal or physical battles which tend to get violent and on some occasions, lead to killing.

2. One of the most common reasons for revenge killing amongst the Yanomamo people begins with a woman. Men become violent and battle one another because they suspect infidelity, are jealous of another man's sexual life, seduce each other's wives, are dissatisfied with their girl in marriage and sometimes even rape. Revenge killing can also occur when a man is trying to avenge the death of someone else or retaliation against another tribe. It is then that they take it among themselves to seek revenge. Their conflict process progresses in a series of less dangerous, little-to-no-contact types of fighting such as shouting matches, chest pounding duels and side slapping duels into fighting with weapons such as axes, machetes and bows and arrows. It is then that these fights become lethal.

3. Unokais are those who have killed. One benefit of obtaining the status of a unokais is that because they are seen as "fierce" fighters and have that reputation for killing another person, their clan is attacked less frequently thus keeping their group safer. The article also states that "men who demonstrate their willingness to act violently and to exact revenge for the deaths of kin may have higher marital and reproductive success." This is because the unokais either find women who are more attracted to their status as unokais or because they forcibly take their mates from others. For these beneficial reasons and for the reason that unokais generally obtain a higher social status, a man might strive to be a unokai as opposed to a non-unokai. However there a benefits for a non-unokai as well. For example, one benefit of non-unokais is that with their lower risk of mortality, they are able to produce more offspring. Non-unokais priorities are elsewhere.

4. A) The political leaders of each group are also the headman of the village. Because they practice polygamy and have more wives than the normal man, their kin groups and extended families are larger than most. The probability of one of these people in relation to the political leaders getting killed is higher than the average person being killed.

B) A man who engages in revenge killings has a higher social status than a man who has not. They are respected for their agility and athletic abilities, their desire to protect and kill for their family and are attractive to women. From a young age, boys strive to gain the title and these social benefits as one who has killed.

C) Kin of the unokais are less likely to get attacked when a man in the family obtains the status of unokai. This is because they are seen as "fierce" and will kill to protect their kin. Also, the death of a family member is grounds for revenge killing. A man would want to avenge the death of someone they are close to.

D) A man who has killed is more likely to have a higher production rate and marriage. This is because some women find it attractive that a man has that status. This is also because a man could have forcibly taken another man's wife from him and would be able to produce with her.

5. It is important that there are laws against something that no one should want to do because it preserves everyone's right as a human being to not be stripped of what they are entitled to whether that is life, civil rights, education, choice, etc. Through revenge killings, the Yanomamo take lives from one another even though there are other ways to settle their conflicts and sometimes even out of anger or no reason. As humans, no one deserves that. Having laws against these kinds of things lessens that injustice.

Kinship Analysis

        Introducing Carla Gomez Pryor, my interviewee. But I know her as "Mom." Carla was born on September 16, 1963 in Manila, Philippines in a traditional filipino home. The filipino culture is based quite a bit on the traditional Spanish culture. It is old fashioned, conservative and there is a lot of emphasis on morals and religion. Carla's parents raised her and her 9 siblings in this environment and rarely ever strayed away from these cultural values and behaviors. She was surrounded by people, both family and friends, who truly valued bonding and spending time with each other and because of that, her relationships with these people has, and still does, remain strong and meaningful.
        The interview took place in our family's living room across from one another, a place where my mother and I have sat and talked countless times so it was a very comfortable setting. There was no awkwardness at all during our conversation. I talk to her about anything and everything so this interview was very laid back, easy and informative. This helped with the thoroughness of the interview because I was not afraid to ask additional questions or encourage my interviewee to elaborate on her answers which enabled me to have all the answers I needed. This situation would be different if I were interviewing someone unrelated to me. It would be less comfortable talking to someone unrelated to me as opposed to my interviewee because I am completely at ease talking to my mom. I feel that if I were to interview someone unrelated to me, the interview would not be as thorough because I would hold back simply out of unfamiliarity. However, there are several people who are unrelated to me that I would feel just as comfortable interviewing because I have a relationship with them that is as strong as that with my mother such as mentors and the mother of my best friend. These people have taken on maternal roles in my life and that level of comfort is present in those relationships.
        The dynamic of Carla's kinship pattern varied in each relationship. Growing up, she spent a lot of time with both sides of her family in social settings. It was tradition in her family to have "family gatherings" at least once a week so she was able to develop relationships with her grandparents, aunts and uncles. However, she was closer to certain family members than others. For the most part, she was mainly only close to her mother's side of the family including her mother's parents, sisters and brothers. She was not close to her father's parents because they were "mean" and did not develop a close relationship to any of his brothers or sister. One of the main things that is emphasized quite a bit in our family is the level of respect that one must have for their elders. We (my siblings, myself, my mother and her whole family included) were taught to respect and serve our elders because they take care of us and it is what they deserve.
        There is definitely a trend towards large families in all four generations that my interviewee and I discussed. The second generation on both sides had five members in the immediate family. The third generation in which my mother belongs in includes her nine brothers and sisters. The fourth generation includes myself and my five brothers and sisters. This does not even count the amount of cousins which in each generation, ranges in the thirties. I think that the consistency in large families in our family influences the next generation to have a large family as well. I know the I personally have enjoyed growing up in an environment that really emphasizes the importance in family values and makes me want to have a large family as well.
        There are a few ethnic differences in different areas of my family but social interactions and family relationships are not affected. Understanding the importance of family values has encouraged every member of my family to embrace, accept and adapt to all aspects of our ethnicity despite ethnic differences. Most of these ethnic differences come from members of the family who have been married into the family and for the same reason that our family is not affected by ethnic differences, members who have been married into the family are not treated any differently.
        Unlike my interviewee, I personally know and socialize with my father's a lot more than I know and socialize with my mother's side. The main reason for this is the geographical location of both sides of the family. Most of my mother's side either remains in the Philippines or lives far away in North America whereas most of my father's side lives fairly close in California like myself. Them living in California allows me to socialize with them a lot whether at a family gathering for the holidays or just for random visits which I like to do often because I am close with most of them.
        The family members that have the most influence in decisions made in my family are definitely the parents over their children. This is because of that same level of respect that I discussed in which the elder and head of the family is in the position to make decisions that best benefit the family. The parents take the responsibility of providing the best life possible for their children. As a parent, choosing the best interest for the family is instilled in them along with family values which has been emphasized in my family from the beginning.
        For my interviewee, growing up in that time of tradition meant that much of the responsibility to work, provide for and protect the family was put on the men of the family. For the most part, this is still true in my family to this day however there are some differences. It is no longer entirely up to the men of the family to provide financially. In fact, there is equal dependence on the men and women of the family to provide in that way. Besides that, my family remains the same in the belief that the men and women are to be treated as equally important.
        Through this exercise, I have learned that the dynamic of my family has basically remained the same throughout the years. While there are obvious differences such as location, the true value and meaning of family has remained the same. I really admire that about my family.
     
Interview on Carla Gomez Pryor:

Question 1: With which family members did you tend to socialize the most? Who did you spend holidays with?

         Answer: The fourth generation, her children including myself and my five siblings.

Question 2: If you needed help, who among your family members would you feel comfortable turning to?

        Answer: There are different family members for different circumstances. For example, she would turn to her mother for financial aid, her children for child care and her older sisters for emotional support. 

Question 3: Are there family members your subject will not interact with or communicate with? Why?

        Answer: She does not communicate with her sister, Victoria because she estranged herself from the family. She does not communicate with her sister Analisa because she is mentally handicapped and is incapable of talking. She never interacted with her aunts and uncles on her father's side because she never became close to them and now because of the distance between them geographically.

Question 4: Are there family members that your subject knows little about? 

        Answer:  No, she was always informed of all of her family because her mom talked about them often.

Question 5: Is the subject’s family located in a relatively central area or are they spread out geographically? Have family members migrated during his or her lifetime to another country? What were the reasons for this? How did this affect the family as a whole? OR if the family has tended to stay in the same place geographically, why have they chosen to do so?

        Answer: Carla's family is spread out geographically. Several family members have migrated from the Philippines to other areas such as Canada, Virginia, Florida, Arizona and California for a better future. She is affected because they do not have the same kind of closeness that they had growing up. This affected the family as a whole because my generation does not know those family members or have a relationship with any of them. The family in the Philippines has stayed there because they have settled, are financially stable and comfortable there.

Subsistence and Economy

Part 1:

        There are many advantages and disadvantages to the subsistence patterns of hunter gatherers and agriculture. One of the first advantages of hunter gatherers is that when there was not as much structure and industry on the earth, they were able to have their choice of the environment they wanted to hunt and gather in. They were able to pick areas that were heavily populated with game, growing plants, fresh water, etc. Although this was once an advantage, over time the growth of agriculture has brought disadvantages to hunter gatherers. As chapter 7 of the text says, " areas with rich soils and ample supplies of water were appropriated by farming societies..." (Page 166). As agriculture spread and gained ownership over more areas, that narrowed down habitats hunter gatherers could choose from. Another advantage of hunter gatherers is that they (foragers) have ample and balanced diets. This is because hunter gatherer communities tend to be small so they can all be provided for and with the regrowth and population of edible wild plant food and animals, people are fed well consistently. They also learn to adjust to seasonal resources. On the other hand, agriculture provides people with the comfort of knowing that there will always be a surplus of crops. It is essentially the job of the farmer to guarantee it. Although this form of subsistence is more intensive with the involvement of tools, tending to land, heavy machinery, irrigation and more, it produces crops at a faster and more consistent rate. This subsistence pattern provides a healthier diet because not all hunter gatherer environments are populated with "vitally important animal proteins" (Page 176), and agriculturalists have developed a mixed strategy that can not only cultivate crops that already contain nutrients beneficial to one's health, but also breed and raise animals for food that provides that vital animal protein. For the reason that the advantages of agriculture outweigh the advantages of hunter gatherers, human populations made the transition into agriculture. It is more reliable, convenient for consumers, healthier and simply easier.

Part 2:
1. There is a direct relationship between the availability of surplus and the ability to trade. This means that the ability to trade completely depends on how much there is available to trade. When a something is available in bulk to trade, then it will be traded and when it is not, little to no trade occurs.

2. One social benefit of trade is that it is a way for people to make money and a living for themselves. Through trade, people are able to get what they need in exchange for what they already have and are able to get rid of. It is a win-win. Another social benefit of trade is that it allows for healthy interaction between trading partners. It makes way for other business ventures and meeting other potential traders. Everyone has something to offer the other and gain.

3. One social negative result of the development of trade is that there is so much competition that people get left behind and lose money when they are beat out by other traders who invest in the same product. Companies go out of business because they are not making enough to sustain it's life on the market. Another social negative result of the development of trade is that one trader may take advantage of the other if they knew that what they had to trade was of high demand such. For example, bottled water at Disneyland would normally cost a dollar anywhere else but they know that because people get very thirsty when walking around the park so much, they can charge up to four dollars a bottle and still sell a lot.

4. The development of agriculture directly influences the development of trade. One relies on the other.  For example, a farmer grows pomegranate which is only available seasonally. During pomegranate season, there is a surplus of pomegranate and it can be traded and sold to consumers everywhere. However in the off season, you are less likely to find fresh pomegranate and have to wait until it is available. There is a direct connection between the two.

Week Three: Language

Part 1:
        I was engaged in conversation with my sister who did not know about the experiment. Of the two experiments, engaging in a conversation for fifteen minutes where I was not allowed to use any version of a symbolic language was less difficult to execute but there was noticeably more language content that I wanted to say but I had to hold back. It did not make it difficult but I was more anxious and frustrated during this experiment because there were many times where I wanted to say something or respond to something she said but I could not.
        Since my partner knew nothing of the experiment, she was slightly confused on why I was not saying anything because normally I am quite talkative. When she would say something to me that required a response and I would not respond, I felt as though I was being disrespectful and rude but it did not really phase her. She did not at all alter her way of communication with me because of my absence of symbolic communication because there have been times when I have stayed quiet and did not feel like talking but that normally means that something is wrong with me so she avoided asking if I was okay. At the end of the experiment when I told her what I was doing she said, "OH! I thought you just weren't being responsive today!" So she definitely noticed.
        If the conversation between my partner and I represented two different cultures meeting for the first time, the culture represented by my sister who was able to use symbolic language would have the advantage in communicating complex ideas. In my position, I was completely limited in what I could and could not explain. The culture I represented would have almost no way of fully communicating complex ideas because they would have no way to elaborate or clarify what they want to say. Sure they would be able to communicate some ideas through hand gestures, facial expression etc., but there is only so much that can explain. I think that the speaking culture could develop the attitude that they are "better" or have more power than the other culture because they have the opportunity to talk all they want about their culture and with the other culture not being able to say much, the culture with the ability to talk would feel like it is just their culture that is getting recognized.
        In my experience, I have come across people who are not physically incapable of communicating with spoken language, but who just do not like to. I am a mentor to middle school students and it is a part of my job to reach out and speak to all of them when we have our group time. There is one young girl specifically who does not talk to anyone. When you talk to her, she simply does not respond but every week she comes back to my group. It is easy for people to give up on her because it is a bit awkward and uncomfortable trying to communicate with someone who does not ever communicate back but I do not treat her any differently or communicate with her any differently than I do with my other students. I believe that if she wants to communicate with me back, she will find her own way to do it and in her own time.

Part 2:
        In the experiment where I could not communicate with any physical embellishments, I did not last the entire fifteen minutes. After this experiment, I noticed that I almost cannot communicate without any physical embellishment. It was difficult because previously, I did not realize before how much vocal intonation, body and facial movements I incorporate into my speech so there were many times where I had to stop myself in the middle of saying something because I noticed that I was using physical embellishments. I had to thoroughly think and try specifically not to use physical embellishments before I said something so it made talking stressful.
        My partner knew of this experiment while it was going on. She would notice when I would "cheat" and use physical embellishments and point it out each time. She did not alter her way of communicating with me during this experiment. At the same time, we both believed that it was nearly impossible for me to succeed and last a full fifteen minutes.
        This experiment says a lot about the use of "signs" in our language. While they are not necessary to communicate anything vocally, they are important and add emphasis, feeling and give a better understand about how the person talking wants to express their thoughts. They are not necessary but I imagine that this experiment would be difficult for everyone. It is what people in our culture is used to. We grow up learning signs to communicate. In situations where we are not supposed to be talking but we still want to communicate to someone, it is convenient to give a simple head nod for yes or a wave to say hello. It would be hard to adjust to communicating any other way.
        I do not think body language is difficult to read but I am sure there are people who find it difficult. Considering so many people incorporate body language as a form of communication, it is a great advantage to know how to read it. Often times, people are inaccurate when interpreting body language as well. A beneficial time where one is not reading body language would be when one misinterprets another's body language and there would be a whole embarrassing mess of miscommunication. For example, we have all been in the position where we think someone is waving to us when they are actually waving at the person behind us, we wave back anyway but they have no idea who we are so they look at us like we are crazy. That would be an ideal time to not read body language.

Part 3:
        The experiment in part one absolutely would have been easier if we were permitted to use written language. The very thing that made is difficult was that I could not communicate any thoughts back to my partner and if I could have written them down, I would be able to say anything that I wanted and we could have a full on conversation. I can express myself fully when I write and there would be no barrier between our conversation. It would take longer and be less convenient but it would work.
        Written language provides many advantages to cultures that develop and use it. It is basic in succeeding in education, it allows one to communicate to people far away, it is a way for people to express themselves and it is universal when it can be translated.
        The written language has had a huge impact on globalization. It has allowed people everywhere to communicate anything they want to about their culture and share it with each other. I am currently reading a book about the personal testimonies of child beggars in India. It helps me understand what they went through from their very own perspective in their part of the world. I could have learned about it from someone who observed it all happen but there is more power and accuracy in learning about the Indian culture from a primary source. We all have things to learn about each other in the world and the written language allows us to express and share that with each other.

Part A: Cultural Descriptions + Part B: Ethnocentrism

Part A: Cultural Descriptions
1. Tradition.
Ceremonies and rituals such as these performed by the Nacirema are only ones that have been passed down from generations and generations before this. By this point, I imagine that everyone knows the exact procedures like the back of their hands from years of practice. The article even talks about how mothers teach their the ways of these rituals to their children at a young age. Cultural Anthropology: The Human Challenge, defines enculturation as "the process whereby culture is passed on from one generation to the next," (Page 28). The rituals of the Nacirema are perfect examples of that.

2. Insecure.
The article talks about how "the fundamental belief underlying the whole system appears to be that the human body is ugly..." (Page 1). The fact that the basis of ones' belief is that they feel they are ugly says a lot about the power that these rituals and beliefs have over them. I personally believe that one's beauty comes from within oneself but these people have been so submerged and know nothing other than their beliefs that they cannot think anything different so they buy into these magical spells and rituals regardless of how painful or ineffective they can be. They need these rituals because they comfort their insecurities.

3. Religion.
There are similarities between what I know of the western world's religious cults and these rituals and beliefs. In the article's explanation of a family's daily routine it says, "Each day every member of the family, in succession, enters the shrine room, bows his head before the charm-box, mingles different sorts of holy water in the font, and proceeds with a brief rite of ablution," (Page 2). This reminds me of the idols and shrines that I know serve as idols to be worshipped in certain religions. People worship idols in the hopes that they will receive some sort of good fortune or prize in return. In the same way, the Nacirema treat their shrines, medicines and even people who hold power in these ceremonies as their gods who will reward the worshippers with good health.


4. Lucre.
Lucre can be defined as money gain in a distasteful way. The article talks about medicine men and herbalists who provide "medical" services to the people for a fee or gift in return. I would consider this to be distasteful because people pay these herbalists and medicine men for their services which are not even medically sound or proven. These services are cheating people out of their money. In fact, a lot of the procedures, especially those that are described as "masochistic" and "barbaric" (Page 3), result in worse conditions and even death.


5. Dependent.
The Nacirema base their entire belief system in these rituals in very extreme ways. If they are willing to practice every day, pay money, engage in ceremonies where they are physically tortured, and more after countless years and not change, they must rely and depend on these beliefs with no room for doubt or concern. I imagine that they would not know how to do with living any other way or it would at least be difficult to adjust. However, this is understandable because it is all these people know and after so many years of dependence, a transition, if even possible in this culture, would be nearly impossible. 


Part B: Ethnocentrism
1. Without knowing that Nacirema was actually American backwards and that this article was describing our own behaviors, I had in mind that I was describing a less socially and technologically advanced, tribal people. With that being the basis of my thought process, I felt my descriptions were appropriate and accurately described how I would feel about their ceremonies and ways of life. As an American, their way of life seemed so extremely different than what I am used to or what I have ever experienced but I tried to use descriptive words with the understanding that the Nacirema had grown to know this lifestyle and it was all that they were used to themselves. 


2. I tried not to judge this culture in choosing words to describe how I feel about their rituals, ceremonies and beliefs. However, after reading the article on ethnocentrism, knowing and understanding more about what it means, I realized that my word choices did exhibit some ethnocentrism on my part. My choices in words such as dependent, insecure and lucre contain bias because I did not even think to fully understand why these people have engaged in ceremonies or ways of life that caused them to become so consumed by their beliefs. There could have been so much that has happened to them as a people and my word choices were biased because I have no experienced anything close to what they might have so my views on dependence, insecurity and money is very different. I do not feel that my choices of tradition and religion were biased because they are facts based upon the actions of Nacirema. The rituals were indeed passed down from generation to generation (tradition) and shrines and people are worshipped like in religion.


3. Another word for "insecurity" that I do not feel contains bias could be "self-image" because that is not saying that they are specifically insecure which is a judgement but that they are concerned with their self-image just like a lot of other people in the world. Another word for "lucre" that I do not feel contains bias could be "exchange" because exchange does not imply that they are earning money in a way that is distasteful like lucre does. It simply means that people are exchanging money for service. Another word for "dependent" that does not contain bias is "faithful" because they have faith that these ceremonies and rituals are going to help them which does not mean that they depend on them to live.


4. It is important to avoid ethnocentric judgement when describing other cultures because my main goal in studying anthropology is to learn about why and how different cultures came to be and learn to respect them for what they are. If my judgements are biased and ethnocentric then I am hindering myself from fully understanding and accepting other cultures because I would be too concerned with my own. I do not think it is possible to completely avoid personal cultural bias as a cultural anthropologist but as the essay said, I do believe there is a way to monitor our reactions, stop ourselves from judgement and bias and then learn to take in what we see from other cultures in a way that is respectable, acceptable and understanding.