Barker - Chapter 2 PDF

Barker - Chapter 2 Chapter 2: Making a Living Chapter 2 of Ancestral Lines by John Barker explores how the Maisin people of Papua New Guinea sustain themselves economically through a blend of subsistence farming, fishing, and trade. The chapter emphasizes the balance between traditional practices a...

Barker - Chapter 2 Chapter 2: Making a Living Chapter 2 of Ancestral Lines by John Barker explores how the Maisin people of Papua New Guinea sustain themselves economically through a blend of subsistence farming, fishing, and trade. The chapter emphasizes the balance between traditional practices and modern influences, such as government policies and external economic pressures. The Maisin's way of life is shaped by their intimate connection to the land, their agricultural practices, and their gendered division of labor. Key Themes and Concepts 1. Subsistence Economy and Agriculture Swidden Agriculture: The Maisin practice slash-and-burn farming (also known as swidden agriculture) to clear small sections of the rainforest for crops. After a few years of use, the land is left to regenerate, ensuring the forest remains healthy for future use. This method reflects the Maisin's deep understanding of their environment and commitment to sustainability. Crops: The primary crops grown by the Maisin include taro, yams, bananas, and sago palms. These crops are staples of the Maisin diet and form the basis of their subsistence farming. Sago, in particular, is a central carbohydrate source, processed and prepared in various ways by women. Gardening: Gardening is a central activity, particularly for Maisin women, who tend to the gardens and ensure that crops are grown and harvested. The gardens are often located in small clearings in the forest and are used for several years before being left fallow. This rotation system helps maintain the fertility of the soil and prevents over-exploitation of any one area. 2. Gendered Division of Labor Women’s Roles: Women play a crucial role in food production, primarily through gardening. They are responsible for growing and harvesting the key crops that sustain the community. Women also manage the preparation of sago and other staple foods, a labor-intensive process that requires significant skill and knowledge. Men’s Roles: Men are primarily responsible for fishing, hunting, and clearing land for new gardens. They provide essential protein sources for the community through their fishing and hunting activities. In addition to subsistence tasks, men also handle external affairs, such as negotiations with outsiders or resolving disputes related to land. 3. Fishing and Hunting Fishing: Fishing is a critical activity for the Maisin, especially for men. The community relies heavily on rivers and coastal areas for fish and other marine resources, which supplement their diet. Fishing is often done using traditional methods, such as traps or nets. Hunting: Hunting provides an important source of animal protein, including wild pigs, birds, and smaller game. Hunting expeditions are typically male activities, and the meat from these hunts is shared among the community, reinforcing social bonds. 4. Exchange and Reciprocity Reciprocal Exchange: The Maisin economy is not only based on subsistence but also on reciprocal exchanges of goods and services within the community. Exchange is a way of maintaining social ties, ensuring that no household is left without necessary resources. Barker emphasizes that the Maisin engage in gift-giving as a form of economic and social obligation. 1 Barker - Chapter 2 External Trade: While the Maisin primarily rely on subsistence practices, they do engage in limited trade with external groups. This often includes exchanging food or crafted goods for tools or other resources not readily available within their community. However, their focus remains on sustaining themselves locally rather than participating heavily in external markets. 5. Impact of Modernization and External Pressures Government Policies: The Maisin have had to navigate the pressures of modernization and government policies that encourage greater economic integration into the national economy. These policies often promote logging or commercial agriculture, which threatens the traditional subsistence practices of the Maisin. Resistance to Logging: The Maisin’s dependence on the forest for their livelihood has led to significant resistance against logging companies that seek to exploit the rainforest. The Maisin view logging as a threat to their way of life, and they have organized to protect their land from such external pressures. 6. Rituals of Work Work as Ritual: In Maisin society, work is not just an economic activity but also has social and ritual significance. Planting, harvesting, fishing, and hunting are often accompanied by rituals that invoke the ancestors or the spirits of the land. These rituals help ensure success in these endeavors and reinforce the Maisin’s connection to their environment. Key Concepts and Definitions Swidden Agriculture: Also known as slash-and-burn farming, this technique involves clearing small plots of land by cutting down vegetation and burning it. The ash from the burned plants fertilizes the soil, and after a few years of use, the plot is left fallow to regenerate. Reciprocity: A system of exchange where goods and services are given and received as part of social obligations, strengthening community ties and ensuring that resources are distributed fairly. Subsistence Economy: An economic system where the community primarily produces what it needs to survive, rather than engaging in large-scale trade or market-based production. Key Examples Sago Processing: Women’s role in preparing sago, a critical food source, is highlighted as an example of the labor-intensive work that sustains Maisin households. The process involves extracting starch from the sago palm and processing it into a usable form, which is then stored and consumed over time. Fishing and Hunting as Male Domains: Men’s responsibilities in providing protein sources through fishing and hunting emphasize the gendered division of labor in Maisin society. This work ensures that the community has a balanced diet, supplementing the plant-based foods provided by women’s gardening. Resistance to Logging: The Maisin’s organized resistance to logging companies is a key example of how their economic and environmental interests intersect. The community’s reliance on the forest for both food and cultural identity drives their efforts to protect it from external exploitation. Conclusion In Chapter 2, Barker details the economic foundations of Maisin life, emphasizing how the community balances subsistence farming, fishing, and hunting with external pressures from modernization. The division of labor, especially between men and women, forms the basis of the Maisin’s economy, while rituals and reciprocity maintain social cohesion. The chapter highlights the challenges the Maisin face in maintaining their traditional way of life in the face of modern economic pressures, particularly from the logging industry. 2