scholarly journals Development of Cultural and Environmental Awareness Through Sámi Outdoor Life at Sámi/Indigenous Festivals

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bente Ovedie Skogvang
Keyword(s):  
Indigenous Peoples ◽  
Cultural Awareness ◽  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Environmental Awareness ◽  
Symbolic Capital ◽  
Children And Youth ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Reindeer Husbandry ◽  
Social And Cultural Capital

The indigenous people Sámi are an ethnic minority living in Finland, Norway, Russia, and Sweden. Throughout history, Sámis have been living close to nature. Working with reindeer husbandry, fishing-farming, hunting, herding, and harvesting for food supplies, has traditionally been an integral part of their lives. Currently, only 2,500 of the ~65,000 Sámis in Norway are operating reindeer husbandry (2019). Most Sámis today work in mainstream jobs, and the fishing-farming culture gradually become more like the mainstream societies where Sámis live. Fieldwork with participant observation and semi-structured interviews carried out at Riddu Riđđu Festivala in the period 2009–2018. In addition, the governing bodies of seven other Sámi festivals have been interviewed. All together 46 in-depth interviews and participant observations conducted, in addition to document analysis of the festivals. The aim was to study how physical and outdoor activities included in the festivals create indigenous people's identities and cultural understanding and how the activities at the festivals might develop climate and environmental awareness. Indigenous festivals and their governing bodies offer many different forms of physical and cultural activities from Sámis and different indigenous peoples to the youth and children taking part. Further, the study shows that important aims for the organizers are to spread the knowledge about Sámis (i.e., local coastal Sámis and regional reindeer/Inland Sámis) and other indigenous peoples, and making environment-friendly festivals. They are trying to educate the children and youth in the cultural practices of their forefathers and foremothers. The manifold of activities offered at the festivals seem to create sustainable ties between persons, which equip the participants with social and cultural capital in addition to networks across festivals organizations internationally. The participants further express that taking part in the festival activities create symbolic capital, due to that they might express their indigeneity at the festivals both for people living in the region and for a greater audience. According to the participants, the festivals have equipped the participants with cultural awareness, as well as the children and youth taught an appreciation of nature so they can enjoy and respect nature and develop climate and environmental awareness.

scholarly journals (RE)FRAMING SPATIALITY AS A SOCIO-CULTURAL PARADIGM: EXAMINING THE IRANIAN HOUSING CULTURE AND PROCESSES

2021 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lakshmi Rajendran ◽  
Fariba Molki ◽  
Sara Mahdizadeh ◽  
Asma Mehan
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Planning ◽  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Spatial Relations ◽  
Complex Relationship ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Visual Research Methods ◽  
Cultural Paradigm ◽  
Behavioural Patterns ◽  
Planning Concepts

With rapid changes in urban living today, peoples’ behavioural patterns and spatial practices undergo a constant process of adaptation and negotiation. Using “house” as a laboratory and everyday life and spatial relations of residents as a framework of analysis, the paper examines the spatial planning concepts in traditional and contemporary Iranian architecture and the associated socio-cultural practices. Discussions are drawn upon from a pilot study conducted in the city of Kerman, to investigate ways in which contemporary housing solutions can better cater to the continually changing socio-cultural lifestyles of residents. Data collection for the study involved a series of participatory workshops and employed creative visual research methods, participant observation and semi structured interviews to examine the interlacing of everyday socio-spatial relations and changing perception of identity, belonging, socio-cultural and religious values and conflict. The inferences from the study showcases the emerging social and cultural needs and practices of people manifested through the complex relationship between residents, the places in which they live, and its spatial planning and organisation. For a better understanding of this complex relationship, the paper argues the need for resituating spatiality as a socio-cultural paradigm.

scholarly journals Paradoxes of Mentoring: An Ethnographic Study of a Mentoring Programme for Highly-educated Women with Migrant Backgrounds

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 275-297
Author(s):  
Tytti Steel ◽  
Anna-Maija Lämsä ◽  
Marjut Jyrkinen
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Awareness ◽  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Working Life ◽  
Ethnographic Study ◽  
Foreign Born ◽  
Job Seekers ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Cultural Meanings ◽  
Highly Educated

This article explores paradoxes that emerge in the mentoring of highly-educated, female, foreign-born job-seekers in Finland. Theoretically, the study is linked to the growing body of research scrutinising the integration or discrimination of migrants in working life. It analyses cultural practices and ideas that are visible and affect the mentoring interaction. On a more practical level, the paper determines how the mentors and mentees experience the mentoring, and how intercultural mentoring could be improved in order to promote mentees’ employment. The article is based on ethnography and 11 semi-structured interviews. Two major paradoxes and their links to cultural meanings were identified: the over-emphasised focus on Finnish language (the language paradox), and the myth of the strong Finnish woman (the support paradox). These can be seen as having aspects of both cultural awareness and situation-specific awareness. Using situation-specific awareness, some mentors understood the best way forward was to break the rules of the mentoring programme and not to use Finnish in all communication. This enabled a more equal setting for professional discussions. In some rare cases, when the mentors did not use situation-specific awareness, a vicious circle emerged and mentees felt even worse about their abilities and working life opportunities. Similarly, although the myth of the strong Finnish woman can be an empowering and positive model for the mentee, it can have a negative impact on the mentor, enabling undercurrents in the mentoring discussions which can be experienced as harsh and even hostile. This, instead of encouraging and supporting, can result in the undermining and ‘othering’ of the mentee.

Symbolic Capital and Gender: Evidence from Two Cultural Fields

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 462-482 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana L. Miller
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metal ◽  
Discourse Analysis ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Symbolic Capital ◽  
Field Structure ◽  
Symbolic Boundaries ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Symbolic Boundary

This article builds a gendered understanding of Bourdieu’s concept of symbolic capital. Through a comparison of two cultural fields – the heavy metal scene and the contemporary folk scene in Toronto, Canada – I show that field structure impacts the extent to which gendered dispositions (which we can understand as masculine capital and feminine capital) are exchangeable for symbolic capital, or reputation. Using semi-structured interviews, discourse analysis, and participant observation, I highlight two features of the fields that shape the extent to which masculine and feminine capital produce symbolic capital: the degree to which symbolic capital is institutionalized, and the level of symbolic boundary-drawing in the field. The heavy metal field’s low institutionalization of symbolic capital and high symbolic boundaries heighten the salience of gender as a basis of symbolic capital, while the folk field’s high institutionalization of symbolic capital and low symbolic boundary-drawing reduce the extent to which gender matters.

scholarly journals Ethnoecology of miriti (Mauritia flexuosa, L.f.) fruit extraction in the Brazilian Amazon: knowledge and practices of riverine peoples contribute to the biodiversity conservation

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Flávio Bezerra Barros ◽  
Fagner Freires de Sousa ◽  
Josiele Pantoja de Andrade ◽  
Fabrício Menezes Ramos ◽  
Camila Vieira-da-Silva
Keyword(s):  
Traditional Knowledge ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Classification Systems ◽  
Palm Tree ◽  
Market Demand ◽  
Euterpe Oleracea ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Mauritia Flexuosa

Abstract Background This article presents, from an ethnoecological perspective, the worldviews, traditional knowledge, and cultural practices of Amazonian riverine people involved in the extraction of miriti fruits (Mauritia flexuosa L.f.), in a context of increasing market demand for miriti fruits and of pressure for the intensification of açaí (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) production on the Sirituba island, in Abaetetuba, Brazil. Methods Methods used were participant observation and non-directive interviews with 22 extractive families of miriti from the Santa Maria and Costa Sirituba communities, on Sirituba Island, in Abaetetuba, Pará, Brazil. Non-structured interviews were used to analyze the knowledge about the species, history of miriti extraction, the traditions, and innovations related to this activity over time. Participant observation took place when riverine individuals were working with miriti fruits, in order to grasp the “codes” that permeate the human-nature relationships embedded in this production system. Results It was verified that the riverine peoples have a great knowledge about the palm tree, which is reflected in their own classification systems and management practices that allow the sustainable extraction of the fruits, avoiding, for example, cutting the miriti palms. In addition, a reciprocity relationship was observed between riverine peoples and miriti palm that are personified and preserved, contributing to the conservation of the species in the floodplain, even with the intensification of açaí (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) production. Another important aspect is the collective work involving all the members of the family, which allows the appropriation of the knowledge about the extraction of miriti by the young, allowing the resistance of the tradition that remains strong, contributing to the sustainability of the practice and conservation of biodiversity in the Amazonian floodplain. Conclusion The k-c-p complex inherent to the riverine universe allows, even in face of the growing commercial demand for miriti fruits and the unchallenged increase in the extraction of this product, the conservation of floodplain biodiversity. Thus, we emphasize the importance of traditional knowledge and practices for biodiversity preservation, and they use them to guide public policies and natural resource management systems, aiming for sustainable ways to manage and use biodiversity.

scholarly journals The Role of Professionals in Two Nature-Based Activities in Brazil for Visitors’ Connection with nature: Rock Climbing and Birdwatching

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
César Teixeira Castilho ◽  
Christianne Luce Gomes
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Degradation ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Environmental Awareness ◽  
Rock Climbing ◽  
Family Influence ◽  
Initial Contact ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Belo Horizonte

This study aims to analyze the role of professionals involved in nature-based activities in the city of Belo Horizonte, Brazil and surrounding regions, namely: rock climbing and birdwatching. The research was based on two key questions: “How does the role of these professionals vary with different kinds of leisure experiences in nature?” and “What are the issues addressed in the discourse and practices of these professionals regarding environmental awareness and environmental degradation aspects?” The methodology applied herein was based on a qualitative approach to data collection. Data was collected through participant observation and semi-structured interviews, which included 15 participants who worked as guides in this region. Participant observation took place during trips organized by such professionals, focused on observing the relationship between guides and participants, their behavior towards nature, and the contact established with the villages in which they developed leisure activities. The results indicated that the professionals who work in nature-based activities first came into contact with these experiences through family influence, during childhood. From such initial contact, they started to seek technical development in undergraduate courses, extension courses, and organizations that aim to further professionalize the field. Issues that involve environmental awareness and environmental degradation seem to have little relevance in the discourses and practices of rock climbing professionals. Otherwise, professionals engaged in wildlife viewing demonstrated greater sensibility to environmental issues. A less dichotomous view, in which barriers between human beings and nature are narrowed, can be achieved through these experiences of nature-based activities and, in this aspect, the professionals involved must be considered as extremely relevant. O Papel dos profissionais em duas atividades de lazer na natureza na relação dos visitantes com a natureza: escalada em rocha e observação de aves RESUMO O presente estudo possui como objetivo analisar o papel dos profissionais que atuam no campo das atividades de lazer na natureza na cidade de Belo Horizonte (Brasil) e arredores, levando em consideração duas modalidades: a escalada em rocha e a observação de pássaros. A pesquisa em questão baseou-se em duas perguntas iniciais: “como se dá a atuação desse profissional levando em consideração diferentes atividades de lazer na natureza?” e “Quais os aspectos abordados nos discursos e nas práticas desses profissionais quando se pensa na consciência ambiental e degradação do meio ambiente? A metodologia da pesquisa em questão teve um cunho qualitativo e associou a pesquisa bibliográfica à pesquisa de campo, na qual os dados foram coletados por meio da observação participante e entrevistas semiestruturadas com 15 profissionais que atuam no âmbito do lazer na natureza na região privilegiada. A observação participante aconteceu durante as viagens organizadas por esses profissionais e, além da sua atuação, buscou-se observar: a relação com os praticantes das modalidades, o comportamento em relação à natureza e o contato estabelecido com os vilarejos nos quais se desenvolviam essas experiências. Os resultados evidenciaram que os profissionais que atuam no lazer na natureza iniciam uma aproximação com essas experiências através da influência familiar, durante a infância. A partir desse primeiro contato, eles buscam um melhor aprimoramento técnico em cursos de graduação, cursos de extensão e em organizações que objetivam tal profissionalização. Questões relativas à consciência ou degradação ambiental parecem ter pouca importância quando analisamos os discursos e as práticas dos profissionais que atuam na modalidade de escalada de rocha. Por outro lado, os profissionais que atuam na atividade de observação de vida selvagem evidenciaram uma maior sensibilidade quanto às questões ambientais e uma maior influência nesse aspecto no contato com os praticantes. Uma visão menos dicotômica, na qual as barreiras entre ser humano e natureza se estreitam, pode ser alcançada através dessas vivências de lazer na natureza e, nesse aspecto, os profissionais que atuam nesse segmento merecem grande destaque e importância. PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Atividades de Lazer na Natureza; Profissionais; Questões Ambientais.

Cytisine as an alternative smoking cessation product for Pacific smokers in New Zealand

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 89-95
Author(s):  
Vili Nosa ◽  
Kotalo Leau ◽  
Natalie Walker
Keyword(s):  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors ◽  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Partial Agonist ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Liquid Form ◽  
Pacific People ◽  
The Pacific

ABSTRACT Introduction: Pacific people in New Zealand have one of the highest rates of smoking.  Cytisine is a plant-based alkaloid that has proven efficacy, effectiveness and safety compared to a placebo and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) for smoking cessation.  Cytisine, like varenicline, is a partial agonist of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, and blocks the rewarding effects of nicotine. Cytisine is naturally found in some plants in the Pacific region, and so may appeal to Pacific smokers wanting to quit. This paper investigates the acceptability of cytisine as a smoking cessation product for Pacific smokers in New Zealand, using a qualitative study design. Methods: In December 2015, advertisements and snowball sampling was used to recruit four Pacific smokers and three Pacific smoking cessation specialists in Auckland, New Zealand. Semi-structured interviews where undertaken, whereby participants were asked about motivations to quit and their views on smoking cessation products, including cytisine (which is currently unavailable in New Zealand). Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim, with thematic analysis conducted manually. Findings: Pacific smokers reported wanting to quit for loved ones and family, but did not find currently available smoking cessation products effective. Almost all participants had not previously heard of cytisine, but many of the Pacific smokers were keen to try it. Participants identified with cytisine on a cultural basis (given its natural status), but noted that their use would be determined by the efficacy of the medicine, its cost, side-effects, and accessibility. They were particularly interested in cytisine being made available in liquid form, which could be added to a “smoothie” or drunk as a “traditional tea”.  Participants thought cytisine should be promoted in a culturally-appropriate way, with packaging and advertising designed to appeal to Pacific smokers. Conclusions: Cytisine is more acceptable to Pacific smokers than other smoking cessation products, because of their cultural practices of traditional medicine and the natural product status of cytisine.

Peregrinação Acadêmica: A mulher Romeira do Bom Jesus da Lapa

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Célia Coelho Gomes da Silva
Keyword(s):  
Gender Identity ◽  
Social Reproduction ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Female Gender ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
The West ◽  
Patriarchal Family ◽  
The Family ◽  
West Part

This work is the result of the doctoral thesis entitled Pilgrimage of Bom Jesus da Lapa: Social Reproduction of the Family and Female Gender Identity, specifically the second chapter that talks about women in the Pilgrimage of Bom Jesus da Lapa, emphasizing gender relations, analyzing the location of the pilgrimage as a social reproduction of the patriarchal family and female gender identity. The research scenario is the Bom Jesus da Lapa Pilgrimage, which has been held for 329 years, in that city, located in the West part of Bahia. The research participants are pilgrim women who are in the age group between 50 and 70 years old and have participated, for more than five consecutive years in the Bom Jesus da Lapa Pilgrimage, belonging to five Brazilian states (Bahia, Minas Gerais, São Paulo, Espírito Santo and Goiás) that register a higher frequency of attendance at this religious event. We used bibliographic, qualitative, field and documentary research and data collection as our methodology; we applied participant observation and semi-structured interviews as a technique. We concluded that the Bom Jesus da Lapa Pilgrimage is a location for family social reproduction and the female gender identity, observing a contrast in the resignification of the role and in the profile of the pilgrim women from Bom Jesus da Lapa, alternating between permanence and the transformation of gender identity coming from patriarchy.

TOURISM MOBILITY AT THE SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES RIO 2016

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Cabral ◽  
Carolin Lusby ◽  
Ricardo Uvinha
Keyword(s):  
Olympic Games ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Field Research ◽  
Bus Rapid Transit ◽  
Rapid Transit ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Tourist Attractions ◽  
Official Sources ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
The City

Sports Tourism as a segment is growing exponentially in Brazil. The sports mega-events that occurred in the period from 2007 to 2016 helped strengthen this sector significantly. This article examined tourism mobility during the Summer Olympic Games Rio 2016, hosted by the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This study expands the understanding of the relationship between tourism and city infrastructure, therefore being relevant to academics, professionals of the area and to the whole society due to its multidisciplinary field. The existence of a relationship between means of transportation and the Olympic regions as well as tourist attractions for a possible legacy was observed. Data were collected from official sources, field research and through participant-observation and semi structured interviews. Data were coded and analyzed. The results indicate that the city was overall successful in its execution of sufficient mobility. New means of transportation were added and others updated. BRT's (Bus Rapid Transit) were the main use of mass transport to Olympic sites. However, a lack of public transport access was observed for the touristic sites.

scholarly journals Young children’s information-seeking practices in center-based childcare

2021 ◽  
pp. 096100062096216
Author(s):  
Sarah Barriage
Keyword(s):  
Young Children ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Day Care ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Photo Elicitation ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Information Practices ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Concept Of Information ◽  
Classroom Resources

Many children in the USA spend a significant amount of time in center-based childcare. However, research has yet to explore their information practices in this setting. This study investigates young children’s perceptions of the concept of information and their own information-seeking practices within the context of their day care classroom. The participants included 13 children between three and five years of age. Data was collected using participant observation, semi-structured interviews, child-led photo tours, and photo-elicitation interviews. The findings indicate that the children did not perceive the concept of information in a manner consistent with adult understandings of the term, and that they engaged in information-seeking related to finding out new things on their own, through interactions with others, and through classroom resources, activities, and routines. The findings have implications for both researchers and practitioners working with young children.

scholarly journals The Impact of Cultural Immersion Experience on Identity Transformation Process

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 2680
Author(s):  
Gloria Onosu
Keyword(s):  
Service Learning ◽  
Cultural Awareness ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Transformation Process ◽  
Identity Transformation ◽  
Cultural Immersion ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Self Identity ◽  
Immersion Experience ◽  
The Impact

This study focused on understanding the cultural immersion experience of students who participated in Study Abroad Programs (SAP) and Global Service Learning Programs (GSL). The study looked at how the immersion experience impacted the participants’ view of self and others upon re-entry into their local community. Specifically, we applied the perspective transformation theoretical framework to analyze the extent to which participation in cultural immersion programs transforms students’ perceptions of self and others. The analysis of the semi-structured interviews suggested that by engaging in intentional immersion and guided reflections, participants became aware of the need to reevaluate their perspectives, expectations, and assumptions about self and others. We also found that there were differences in the way participants experienced the cultural immersion process and the impact it had on cultural awareness and self-identity.

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