Introduction
The Amazon region is globally known for its rainforest, river and the flesh-eating piranhas. The forest is mainly occupied by deeply isolated inhabitants who have remained an enigma (Downey p. 229). The main occupational activity of men in this region is hunting and gathering using poisoned bows and arrows made from the materials from the forest. As men carry out hunting and gathering, women prepare food and make baskets and pottery, and these materials are decorated with leopard sports and other images from the nature (Downey p. 231). This paper aims to create a fascinating quest towards the cultural structure of a specific group of the Amazon region called Arawete. It aims to identify, analyze and explain the varied customs, value systems and language of this group of people. Certainly it will be an accurate clarion call to present the cultural practices of the specific Indigenous groups.
Preparation
As a researcher, it is important that I recognize and respect the inherent rights and diversity of the indigenous people. It is important to have a full, fair and equal participation of the group in the project processes and activities. As a matter of ethical practice, the research will endeavor to control and maintain the cultural heritage of the indigenous people. The research will have a meaningful engagement and reciprocity on the aims, methods and results with the indigenous group. The paper will also respect the knowledge of the indigenous practices and innovations such as hunting, gathering and fishing. I will finally make prior consultation and freely negotiate with the indigenous group in order to gather their informed consent on my research and use their locality to conduct the research. These preparations will allow me to carry out in-depth analysis on their culture, language, history and perspectives (Taylor p. 22).
Learning the Background of the Arewete People
While exploring through the video, I understand that the Arewete is one of the least studied Tupi-Guarani groups that comprise of a population that is slightly more than 500 people. The population inhibits about 9 40.9 ha land in lowland rainforest. The Arewete settlement is expressed in a dispersed manner with very few houses concentrated as a result of the family bond. Downey p. 233 in his work, found out that, just like any other indigenous group in this area, the Arewete also practice hunting and gathering. A part from Hunting and gathering, men carry out fishing as women practice subsistence farming of corn. As shown by several documentary records, most of these people compost majorly of rural folks who have never visited urban centers. The group wears few strips of clothing but pay maximum attention to their hair. The hair is cut, smoothened oiled and reddened and then adorned with feathers, combed and vegetable fibers (Downey 234).
Research Questions
The following research questions will act as a guideline to my research work.
- What is the original motherland of the Arewete people and how did they settle in their current land?
- What are the main cultural patterns (socio-economic activities) exhibited by the Arewete people that make them adapted in the Amazone region?
- Apart from the Arewete people who are the other people that inhibit the Amazon region and do they have any kinship relationship?
- What is the role of men and women of the Arewete people?
The video presented various fundamental principles of understanding anthropology in a broader perspective. It illuminates anthropology as a subject that requires ethnographic research in order to have a detailed understanding. Through the video, I have a tentative view on how to carry out the research process and produce valid results for analysis and further study.
Research Methods and Theories
As argued by many researchers, the functionality of the research methods and theories are core construct in the operationalization of the project. Therefore, this research will use both the qualitative and ethnographic information that will be gathered from the indigenous community for a couple of months of continuous field work (7-14 months). This extensive field work will provide the researchers with an opportunity collect valid information as well as engage in regular activities with local communities. The project will use varied methods of data collection. These include sampling, observation of the varied cultural activities as well as interviews. Different protocols will be used to analyze the data and final information that will be used for ethnocentrism (Manuela p. 316).
For the purpose of comparative analysis of the project, it would be appropriate to divide the Arewete people into terms of their production purposes. These would comprise of hunting, gathering, and fishing. These variables are to be captured and measured independently. However, one must be aware of challenges such as lack of cooperation from the respondents and time limitation (Manuela p. 328).
Conclusion
The Arewete people live simple lives in the rich rainforest of the Amazon region that every culture should copy and adopt. Therefore, I suggest my proposed pooled dataset for everyone study and acquire standard socio-demographic information on the proposed Arewete people.
Work Cited
Downey, Mark. "The Amazon's People: Among Brazil's Rain Forest Tribes." The World & I 13.7 (1998): 228-35.
Manuela Carneiro, da Cunha, and Almeida Mauro W B de. "Indigenous People, Traditional People, and Conservation in the Amazon." Daedalus 129.2 (2000): 315-38.
Taylor, Gilbert. "The Unconquered: In Search of the Amazon's Last Uncontacted Tribes." The Booklist 108.2 (2011): 22.
