How White Mountain Apache people think about their lives and the landscape in which they are located - Essay Example

Task Anthropology Essay   How White Mountain Apache people think about their lives and the landscape in which they are located Introduction Anthropology is an academic study of humanity that enables individuals to gain an adequate understanding of their ancient dealings. In US, the study is being encouraged to enable individuals to understand their origin and “ancestral practices”. This is vital since many communities, for example, the Apache people should understand the underlying economic, social and cultural practices that define there way of life.

Consequently, they should understand their identity, place of origin and the significance of the historical sites in their landscape. This paper gives a comprehensive overview of the perception of the Apache people on their lives and their landscape. It also captures comparative elements between the Apache, Hopi and the Shoshone people. Student’s perspective on the subjectThe understanding of the native practices and the shared norms of a community enables individuals to build strong units of engagements.

Communities that seek to protect their identity are under obligation to understand their past practices to shape their decisions on various issues “Basso, 1”. This explains the need for the Apache people who had strong beliefs on social and cultural to know their place of origin, prehistoric events and the significance of their “cultural landscape”.Main perspectives on the Apache people and comparative views to Hopi and Shoshone peopleThe Apache people who are believed to have originated from India are located within a radius of twenty miles in the western part of the state.

They are individuals with strong cultural and social practices that define their lifestyle “Simpson, 1”. Their historical background that is comparable to Shoshone and Hopi people depicts them as hard workers, determined and “place making,” individuals who successfully fought for their rights. They exhibit positive thoughts about their lives and the landscape in which they reside as “a place world” that means their territory. They stated, “We are part of the land, the rivers, the trees and all” “Simpson, 1”.

The community members depict themselves as hard workers and good fighters for their rights. This is due to severe prehistoric atrocities that they were exposed to by the assimilation rulers in the US. Despite the hostilities that made them to “suffer severe economic and political disruptions”, they fought back as a cohesive unit until they claimed their present landscape that is rich in resources. Their lives to date have changed tremendously due to the economic benefits they receive from the landscape “Basso, 2”.

They also hold positive thoughts about their landscape that is referred as “a cultural landscape, “despite its hilliness. The landscape that provides them with secure “sacred cultural centers” for performance of ancestral activities, and mineral artifacts explain why they seek to protect it from invasion. The community’s value of the White Mountain landscape is comparable to the Shoshone people who pressed for “land settlements but not cash settlement”. The communities including Hopi community valued land and artifacts that are present in the locations.

This shows how land factor is a crucial issue in various communities. Key assumptionsAs indicated, the Apache people believed that the mountains were “sacred cultural centers,” that provided them with adequate protection from diverse atrocities “Pritzker, 2“. The section of the mountains especially along the rivers provided serene areas for execution of ancestral activities and agriculture. Other sections, for example, the mountain snowmelt were significant areas where rituals were performed to mark social and political calendars.

Apache culture, past and presentThe Apache people have deep-rooted cultural, social, and political practices that define their lifestyle to date. The community emphasizes on the practices as guiding principles and ethical values that are noble in achieving absolute cohesiveness “Reynoldson, 67”. This is critical since their unity from the ancient days is what has made them strong and fight back for their rights especially when they faced hostile assimilation rules. Comparatively, the community’s practices hold some similarities with the practices of the Shoshone and the Hopi people who also subscribe to ancient ideals.

ConclusionIndeed, understanding of the native practices and the shared norms of a community enables individuals to build strong units of engagements. The practices shapes individuals code of behavior and life principles that are integral in achieving peace in diverse settings.Works CitedBasso, Keith. Quoting the Ancestors. 2012. Web. Aug. 1996.Pritzker, Barry M. Native America Today: A Guide to Community Politics and Culture. Santa Barbara, Calif.[u.a.: ABC-CLIO, 1999. Print.Reynoldson, Fiona.

Native Americans: The Indigenous Peoples of North America. Oxford: HeinemannEducational, 2000. Print.Simpson, Brian. An innovative collaboration of White Mountain Apaches and Baltimore-based researchersworks to prevent youth suicide. 2012. Web, Sep. 1999.