The Representation of an Indigenous Culture - Essay Example

RUNNING HEAD: CULTURE IDENTITY: THE DEPICTION Culture Identity: The Depiction of “Noble Savage” and “Savage Beast” Abstract Culture Identity: The Depiction of “Noble Savage” and “Savage Beast” Introduction This paper is about the depiction of a First Nations Group in Canada. The group that I have selected is the Inuit and I have chosen a few articles to critique basing on the way they have been represented in the articles. The point of debate is whether they have been depicted as “noble savages” or “savage beasts”. Is there a point of view that is in favor of the group or against it? These are some of the questions that I hope to tackle in this paper. The articles selected have been listed in the reference at the end of this paper. Ethnocentricity The concept of ethnocentricity is particularly useful for the analysis that I seek to do. Ethnocentricity argues that the representation of an indigenous culture by outsiders must be done with a view to portray them as they would see themselves as. Thus, the concept applied to the Inuit is that the portrayal by outsiders should be analyzed from the frame of reference that of trying to understand their views about themselves. This does not mean that any outsider’s view of the Inuit is necessarily derogatory or biased. It just means that the views presented in the article must be balanced with the perspective of this concept. As such, the terms of reference for this paper reflect the concept very much and the attempt is to find out if the articles do so. The Inuit Paradox Though the title of the article may sound patronizing and condescending, it nonetheless is a good representation of the way in which the article has been developed. My opinion on this is that the article should not be judged by the title alone and the contents of the same should be scanned for a deeper reading of the article. The article goes to great lengths to delve into the eating habits of the Inuit and makes a point that the way in which they have developed their eating habits is a function of the climatic conditions that they have been used to. Thus, the use of fatty foods is not because they do not want to stay healthy or fit, but the living conditions make them eat the fatty foods in order to survive in the extremely cold conditions. Of course, the living habits of the Eskimos are detailed to a great extent to indicate the fact that their lifestyle may not be healthy and hence they need the kind of foods that they take. The tone of the article is a bit patronizing, though. My feeling is that we are unable to shake off the tendency to look at ethnic groups in more favorable terms and thus we need to ensure that the same comes through in our representation of the groups. There are umpteen sentences in the article that have the Inuit portrayed as humane and the like but again there is a danger of falling into the trap of the “noble savage” concept that was one of the questions for this paper. However, the article has conveyed in a proper sense the living conditions of the Inuit and has managed to draw the distinctions between the way in which the Inuit lives and eats and the conditions that create these habits in the first place. Though I mentioned that the tone is somewhat patronizing, an attempt has been made to integrate the views of the Inuit person along with the narrative so that they gel in. The article is quite lengthy and describes the conditions of the Inuit in their habitat. The narrative is structured and there is a genuine attempt to understand the ways of the Inuit. However, there could be more emphasis on turning the section on the lifestyle of the Inuit into a synthesis rather than merely attempting to use it as a reference point for their eating habits. In conclusion as the title states there is indeed a paradox but that if seen from the point of view of the Inuit would look like the same about the writer’s way of life. Inuit Art This article is much more about the way in which the Inuit’s art has evolved from being a very personal and opinionated to one where sharply political overtones are being expressed. The author seems to have a genuine concern for the way in which the trappings of modern life have taken over the Inuit’s lifestyle and have impacted them to such an extent that their art forms are getting impacted as well. The writer makes a point about how changing lifestyles with the advent of modernization have contributed to the art forms of the Inuit changing in texture and flavor. The article is a balanced view point of the Inuit and their art forms and there is a deep felt concern for the rush of modernization that has resulted in the art form changing its look and feel. Who Own Native Culture When the question of appropriating symbols associated with a particular culture is concerned, everyone seems to be on the same side and on opposing sides at the same time. This is because the people who protest against appropriation from their native culture are on the same side as those whose culture has evolved by borrowing ideas and concepts from other cultures. Thus, it is by no means possible for one culture to say that they are exclusivist and that they have the right over the symbols that their culture has. And the opposing sides are that they seem to be fighting over the fact that their symbols belong to them alone. As such, culturally exclusivist tendencies need to be curbed and we need to ensure that no one culture has rights over the same. There is a need for acceptance of the rights over the cultures of others and also a need to tolerate and respect different cultures. Coming to the point about the culture of the savages, there is a movement from the indigenous communities all over the world to protest appropriation of their symbols and ensure that they own the symbols. Thus, the title about “who owns native culture” is not only apt but also a pointer to the fact that as indigenous cultures adapt to modern conceptions, they need to ensure a balance between the need to preserve their culture and integrate at the same time. Eugenics This is an interesting article on the nature of Eugenics and the “nature versus nurture” debate. The author firmly places himself against the selection of specific races stating that “Eugenics should, therefore, not be allowed to deceive us into the belief that we should try to raise a race of supermen, nor that it should be our aim to eliminate all suffering and pain. The attempt to suppress those defective classes whose deficiencies can be proved by rigid methods to be due to hereditary causes, and to prevent unions that will unavoidably lead to the birth of disease-stricken progeny, is the proper field of eugenics” (Boas, 1916) . Thus, the article can be said to be sympathetic to the concept of the “savages” who want to have their life undisturbed by concepts of racial superiority and the like. The author makes clever use of the metaphors used to describe the relativistic concepts used by several writers used to justify the genetic mapping. As the author points out, any attempt to remove deficiencies would only lead to social unrest and thus the concept of a “perfect” society cannot be achieved. The world exists because there are deficiencies to counter the perfection and as the article points out; many great works of art are the result of mental agony and are a form of catharsis for the artists. Thus, we live in a non-ideal world and it is much better for us to accept our deficiencies and move on instead of aiming for a society free of impurities. My opinion on the article is that the concept of a “noble savage” as well as a “savage beast” is conceptions applied by supposedly normal people. What we have to realize is that emotions are universal and it is human to be emotional. As the author points out, we use our emotions to act and then justify our actions using reason. Thus, there is no way in which the emotional side of us however deficient we may be can be wiped out. Conclusion In conclusion, what is apparent is that native cultures and modern cultures are two sides of the same coin with different yardsticks being applied to judge them. A closer reading of geography, history and culture shows that as we evolve we pick up strands from other cultures and the process of evolution also consists of trying to protect our native culture from extinction. Thus, what is needed is a balance between adapting to the modern world and a desire to preserve one’s uniqueness. References Boas, F. (1916). Eugenics. The Scientific Monthly. Brown, M. (2003). Who Owns Native Culture? Harvard University Press. Gadsby, P. (n.d.) The Inuit Paradox. Discover Magazine. Retrieved Nov 27 2008 from http://discovermagazine.com/2004/oct/inuit-paradox/article_view?b_start:int=3&-C= Reeves, J. (n.d.). On Inuit Art. The Walrus. Retrieved Nov 27 2008 from http://www.walrusmagazine.com/articles/2007.11-inuit-art/ Read More