Philosophy
Abstract:
The small community of the Tom´arˆaho, an ethnic group culturally derived from the Zamucos, have become known in the South American and world anthropological scenario in recent times. This group, far from the banks of the Paraguay river, remained concealed from organized modern societies for many years. Like any other groups of people in close contact with nature, the Tom´arˆaho developed a profound and rich world-view which parallels other more widely researched aboriginal cultures as well as showing distinctive features of their own. This is also apparent in their imagery of the sky and of the characters that are closely connected with the celestial sphere.
This paper is based on the lengthy anthropological studies of G. Sequera. We have recently undertaken a project to carry out a detailed analysis of the different astronomical elements present in the imagined sky of the Tom´arˆaho and other Chamacoco ethnic groups. We will briefly review some aspects of this aboriginal culture: places where they live, regions of influence in the past, their linguistic family, their living habits and how the advancement of civilization affected their culture and survival. We will later mention the fieldwork carried out for decades and some of the existing studies and publications. We will also make a brief description of the methodology of this work and special anthropological practices. Last but not least, we will focus on the Tom´arˆaho conception of the sky and describe the research work we have been doing in recent times.
"The Tom´arˆaho conception of the sky" by Guillermo Sequera1 and Alejandro Gangu
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Philosophy
Tom´arˆaho conception of the sky
Abstract:
The small community of the Tom´arˆaho, an ethnic group culturally derived from the Zamucos, have become known in the South American and world anthropological scenario in recent times. This group, far from the banks of the Paraguay river, remained concealed from organized modern societies for many years. Like any other groups of people in close contact with nature, the Tom´arˆaho developed a profound and rich world-view which parallels other more widely researched aboriginal cultures as well as showing distinctive features of their own. This is also apparent in their imagery of the sky and of the characters that are closely connected with the celestial sphere.
This paper is based on the lengthy anthropological studies of G. Sequera. We have recently undertaken a project to carry out a detailed analysis of the different astronomical elements present in the imagined sky of the Tom´arˆaho and other Chamacoco ethnic groups. We will briefly review some aspects of this aboriginal culture: places where they live, regions of influence in the past, their linguistic family, their living habits and how the advancement of civilization affected their culture and survival. We will later mention the fieldwork carried out for decades and some of the existing studies and publications. We will also make a brief description of the methodology of this work and special anthropological practices. Last but not least, we will focus on the Tom´arˆaho conception of the sky and describe the research work we have been doing in recent times.
"The Tom´arˆaho conception of the sky" by Guillermo Sequera1 and Alejandro Gangu
- The Value Of Ethnic Studies
As if Arizona had not done enough with it's anti-immigrant law has now passed another law making it illegal to teach ethnic studies. African American Studies and especially Latino/a Studies are impermissible because giving attention to the lived experiences...
- Can There Be Positive Uses For Stereotypes?
A former student Zac asked this one: I usually think of racism, ethnocentrism, and bigotry in terms overly broad or incorrect generalizations, often applied to individuals or smaller subsets: "All white people are stupid. You are white. Thus you are stupid."...
- Aboriginal Astronomy
[See below] "The world's first astronomers" by Louise Merrillees August 17th, 2012 ABC NewsAs the world's oldest continuous culture, Aboriginal people can make the claim to be the world's first astronomers.For them, gazing at the stars is...
- Aboriginal Oral Traditions And "cosmic Impacts And Meteorite Falls"--mythology
Abstract: Descriptions of cosmic impacts and meteorite falls are found throughout Australian Aboriginal oral traditions. In some cases, these texts describe the impact event in detail, suggesting that the events were witnessed, sometimes citing the location....
- First Astronomers...aboriginal Australians?
"The Astronomy of Aboriginal Australia" by Ray P. Norris and Duane W. Hamacher Abstract: The traditional cultures of Aboriginal Australians include a significant astronomical component, which is usually reported in terms of songs or stories associated...