Human Sciences Happy Hour in Phnom-Penh
Once a month - 6pm – Baitong Restaurant
(7 Street 360/ Norodom Bd, Beung Keng Kang I)
The HSHH will be back in JANUARY 2011
Wednesday 12th, at 6 pm
Gregory McCann
PhD student
Tamkang University in Taipei, Taiwan
"Animism in Cambodia: Bioregionalism in Practice"
The indigenous or "highlander" people of Northeast Cambodia have traditionally been animistic ecosystem-based cultures whose way of life is a perfect manifestation of what is called "bioregionalism" in environmental studies. Extensive knowledge of local ecology, ability (and strong desire) to live autonomously and sustainably, and a keen awareness of "spirit places" –these are some of the defining features of bioregionalism and the Brao, Tampuan, Bunong and other highlander groups of Ratanakiri and Mondulkiri provinces have copious amounts of all three. During one month of homestays, interviews and treks to “sacred” forests, mountains, and lakes with different indigenous guides and families a picture emerged that will be of interest to bioregionalism and environmental studies scholars. In an ecological milieu haunted by malevolent spirits, the highlander people of Northeast Cambodia have lived in relative symbiosis with nature, that is, until the arrival of large numbers of economic migrants, agricultural plantations and foreign companies looking to cash in on untapped resources. These outsiders, often with the collusion of government officials, are threatening to extinguish the unique animist cultures that have thrived (despite repeated disruptions and turmoil) for centuries. This paper seeks to examine these issues from a bioregional perspective, emphasizing that the highlander cultures of this region are a great source of knowledge for living dynamic and sustainable lives in one’s own eco-region.
