Subject: Re: [baidarka] "Aleut Story" on PBS
From: William Nettles (netttles@adelphia.net)
Date: Mon Mar 06 2006 - 11:49:14 EST
All human cultures do belong to all of us. That's definitely the best
way of looking at it. However we must remember that cultures can't be
contained in books or artifacts--it is more intangible. It may exist in
subtle variations of language, oral stories, and it will definitely
exist in ways the members of that culture won't even understand. That's
why it is so important to respect a culture and a people as they are.
Any 'efficient' preservation of that culture by another is little
better than a zoo.
If part of a culture is secrecy, that has to be respected as part of
it. Like the Free Masons, usually the 'big secrets' aren't all that
special or secret.
But I agree that hoarding plans for dugout canoes, except where they
might be of commercial value to the dugout canoe maker, is petty. Such
trade secrets, like the formula for Coca Cola are often more marketing
than true secrets.
The Pueblo Indians of New Mexico wouldn't let me photograph their
Cochina dance--which I respect. I know how obnoxious members of my
profession can be. Selected photographers have been allowed access. I
was happy just to be allowed to see the ceremony.
I guess I better quite jawing and start building a baidarka.
Will
On Mar 6, 2006, at 3:27 AM, AEDUIN@aol.com wrote:
> In a message dated 05/03/06 20:15:24 GMT Standard Time,
> redcedar1@mac.com
> writes:
>
>> What a tragic destruction of culture in the Aleutians. In Mongolia.
>> In Nanking. In Burma. In Bosnia. In Iraq. In (fill in the latest...).
>>
>>
>>
>
> But all cultures belong to all of us. I cannot hold with the idea that
> any
> group should hug to itself knowledge or customs which can only be to
> the
> ultimate disadvatage of that group.
> There is a web site run by someone who makes replicas of North-East NA
> dugout
> canoes. He doesn't post his plans at the request of the NA whose canoe
> styles
> they happen to be, presumably so ....I cannot really guess the reason,
> selfishness, a wish to preserve an apartness and specialness, whatever.
>
> Should we apply this logic to all the SOF models that stem from other
> cultures? Better surely to regard them as all our common heritage and
> to celebrate
> them. I don't mind if someone tries to recreate a chariot or currach
> that might
> have been used by my very distant ancestors, in fact it would be great
> if the
> did and shared the knowledge and experience with us all.
>
> Edwin
> reproduced outside Baidarka or Baidarka archives without author's
> permission
> Submissions: baidarka@paddlewise.net
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>
>
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Art Docmentary Photography
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