Made available in DSpace on 2015-04-20T12:31:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 sebastiao marcelice.pdf: 1032875 bytes, checksum: 7c0438a7d937b5ce3e7979c6b2116801 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-08-30 / This thesis deals with the issues of genetic heritage and traditional knowledge associated: potential for transformation and creation of new products and technologies in the Amazon. With advances in biotechnology, traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources have become important inputs for bioinformational innovation. Provisional Measure No. 2,186-16 of August 23, 2001 regulates the procedures for access to the components of the genetic heritage with scientific research, technological development and bioprospecting. It remains unquestionable the importance of traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources conferred on the biotech industry, particularly pharmaceuticals, and agricultural chemicals. This research aims to analyze the utilization of traditional knowledge associated with genetic possibilities for transformation and the creation of new products and technologies in the Amazon. We discuss the legal protection of traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources analyzing guarantee sovereignty and ownership of the states and their peoples over natural resources as the common heritage of humanity, asking about the subjectivity of people and traditional knowledge related to the consent and authorization. In the methodological approach adopted , we defend the access to genetic resources and traditional knowledge associated with the creation of products and processes with the objective of regional development on a sustainable and equitable sharing of the results obtained with its use. The present investigation was characterized from the point of view of its nature as literature and empirical , developed primarily from a qualitative approach. In this sense , critical reason was adopted as a broader methodological approach , not limited to dogmatisms and pure and simple analysis of positive laws , however , we sought to climb, in critical relational subsidies , a new perspective of overcoming legal treatment in relation to traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources as a support in the sovereignty and security of the property of the State and its peoples over natural resources and their genetic heritage . It analyzes access to traditional knowledge and genetic resources as a new mode of appropriation of nature and natural resources and the equitable sharing of benefits. In its final part , the research seeks to demonstrate the need to seek a balance between economic use of components of biological diversity in the form and pace that does not cause genetic decreased while maintaining the potential to meet the aspirations of the present and future generations . The compatibility of conservation of the immense potential of the natural resources of the Amazon with the consolidation of a sustainable development policy is urgent. The benefits produced by research provide directions for finding alternatives and strategies to democratize access to genetic resources and traditional knowledge and facilitate construction of guiding principles for the construction of consistent and relevant public policies for the development and sustainability of Amazon. The study also concludes that the wealth of genetic resources in Brazil, especially in the Amazon region, can be used in a sustainable manner, however, is essential scientific and technological infrastructure able to harness its potential benefits for people and the populations of the Amazon to the promotion of regional development. / A presente tese analisa o Patrimônio Genético e Conhecimentos Tradicionais Associados: possibilidades de transformação e criação de novos produtos e tecnologias na Amazônia. Com os avanços nos domínios da biotecnologia os conhecimentos tradicionais associados ao patrimônio genético se tornaram importantes inputs bioinformacionais para a inovação. A Medida Provisória nº 2.186-162001 regula as formas de acesso a componentes do patrimônio genético para fins de pesquisa científica, desenvolvimento tecnológico e bioprospecção. Resta incontroverso a importância que os conhecimentos tradicionais associados ao patrimônio genético conferem para a indústria da biotecnologia, principalmente de produtos farmacêuticos, químicos e agrícolas. O escopo da pesquisa é análise do uso dos conhecimentos tradicionais associados ao patrimônio genético em possibilidades de transformação e criação de novos produtos e tecnologias na Amazônia. Discute-se a proteção jurídica dos conhecimentos tradicionais associados ao patrimônio genético analisando a soberania e garantia da titularidade dos Estados e seus povos sobre recursos naturais, inquirindo sobre a subjetividade dos povos e conhecimentos tradicionais relacionados com o consentimento e autorização. Na linha metodológica adotada, defende-se o acesso ao patrimônio genético e aos conhecimentos tradicionais a ele associados para a criação de produtos e processos com o objetivo do desenvolvimento regional de forma sustentável e a justa partilha dos resultados obtidos com o seu uso. A presente pesquisa foi caracterizada quanto ao ponto de vista da sua natureza, como bibliográfica e empírica, desenvolvida predominantemente, a partir de uma abordagem qualitativa. Nesse sentido, adotou-se a razão crítica como linha metodológica mais ampla não limitada aos confins dos dogmatismos e das análises puras e simples das legislações positivadas, no entanto, buscou-se, na análise crítica relacional subsídios para dimensionar uma nova perspectiva de superação do tratamento jurídico em relação aos conhecimentos tradicionais associados ao patrimônio genético, com fulcro na soberania e garantia da titularidade dos Estados e seus povos sobre recursos naturais e patrimônio genético. Desse modo, analisou-se o acesso aos conhecimentos tradicionais e ao patrimônio genético como novo modo de apropriação da natureza e dos recursos naturais e a justa repartição de benefícios. Na sua parte final, a pesquisa procurou demonstrar a necessidade de se buscar o equilíbrio entre a utilização econômica de componentes da diversidade biológica de modo e ritmo tais que não levem à diminuição do patrimônio genético, mantendo potencial para atender as aspirações das gerações presentes e futuras. A conciliação entre a conservação do imenso potencial de recursos naturais da Amazônia com a consolidação de uma política de desenvolvimento sustentável se faz urgente. Os subsídios produzidos pela pesquisa fornecem indicativos para a busca de alternativas e estratégias que democratizam o acesso ao patrimônio genético e aos conhecimentos tradicionais e proporcionaram a construção de princípios norteadores para a construção de políticas públicas coerentes e competentes para o desenvolvimento com sustentabilidade na Amazônia. A Investigação também conclui que a grande riqueza dos recursos genéticos do Brasil, e especialmente da região Amazônica, poderá ser utilizada de forma sustentável, para tanto é imprescindível infraestrutura científico-tecnológica capaz de aproveitar seus potenciais benefícios em favor dos povos e populações da Amazônia com a promoção do desenvolvimento regional.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-04-20T12:31:50Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Debora Cristina Bandeira Rodrigues.pdf: 6466787 bytes, checksum: 1ae4a1e78355caf75e080229d5f032f4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-05-08 / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Amazonas / A questão da propriedade intelectual dos conhecimentos tradicionais associados ao manejo dos recursos naturais vem sendo debatida, sobretudo a partir dos avanços das pesquisas nas áreas biotecnológicas. O acelerado processo de desenvolvimento da Ciência e Tecnologia na contemporaneidade proporcionou avanço de descobertas de biomateriais; um fator relevante nesse processo é a percepção da existência de uma relação direta entre biotecnologia, biodiversidade e conhecimentos tradicionais. Mediante este debate, emerge a necessidade de criação de mecanismos de proteção aos conhecimentos tradicionais associados. O estudo teve como objetivo principal: identificar os conhecimentos tradicionais adotados no manejo de plantas medicinais nas comunidades ribeirinhas de Mucajá e Ebenézer em Maués/AM, a fim de subsidiar no processo de discussão e proposição de mecanismos de proteção aos conhecimentos tradicionais. Os procedimentos metodológicos da pesquisa foram pautados na modalidade da pesquisa-ação, que possibilitou o estabelecimento de interlocução entre o saber técnico-científico e o popular-tradiconal, com efetiva participação dos comuitários no estudo. A pesqisa possibilitou conhecer as condições de vida nas comunidades investigadas em suas dimensões sócio-cultural, de manejo de plantas medicinais e de organização comunitária para uso dos recursos locais, possibilitando a elaboração de um mapeamento da realidade das comunidades ribeirinhas. O estudo abrangeu duas comunidades ribeirinhas Mucajá e Ebenézer, contou com a participação de 42 informantes.Dentre as técnicas de coleta de dados foram utilizados formulários, entrevista semiestruturadas e técnicas de abordagem grupal. O resultado do estudo possibilitou a percepção da perspectiva histórica de construção dos saberes que regem e orientam as práticas sócio-culturais dos ribeirinhos no manejo das plantas medicinais, ressaltando que nem os conhecimentos, práticas e nem os recursos são estáticos, mas encontram-se em constante processo de construção e mudanças. Os ribeirinhos destas comunidades denotam, em suas práticas, uma profunda adaptação ao meio ambiente, com administração dos recursos naturais a partir dos conhecimentos e práticas tradicionais. A gestão dos recursos naturais orienta-se por idealizações e valores marcados por representações simbólicas. Através das práticas singulares de organização sócio-cultural no manejo de plantas medicinais, estes ribeirinhos têm construído e estabelecido mecanismos de proteção dos conhecimentos tradicionais apropriados e adaptados à realidade local, com base no seu modus vivendi. Este modo tem assegurado a existência e permanência dos conhecimentos e práticas por várias gerações, sendo que a base desse sistema de proteção tradicional encontrase pautado na tradição oral, sob o estabelecimento das formas de aprendizado e difusão de saberes; cultivo e uso das plantas medicinais; sistema de trocas de saberes (intercâmbio) e recursos naturais. A formulação de mecanismos de proteção aos conhecimentos tradicionais deve considerar: a relevância das mulheres na difusão e manejo de plantas medicinais; as práticas coletivas e cooperativas dos grupos domésticos no âmbito das comunidades em caráter de ajuda mútua; a vigência de elementos místicos e simbólicos sagrado , fé e o dom ; diversificadas formas de uso e gestão dos ambientes e territórios; caráter dialético dos conhecimentos e práticas; relações de vizinhança, parentesco e compadrio; estabelecimento de regras e normas internas de manejo dos espaços e recursos

O foco do presente Doutorado cinge-se ao tema Biopirataria reflexionando sob a criação de um respectivo tipo penal. Não obstante a ausência de uma conceituação jurídica uníssona sobre Biopirataria parte-se da concepção primordial de um acesso irregular ao Patrimônio Genético e ainda, aos Conhecimentos Tradicionais associados. Não se olvide todavia que, ao lado destes dois grandes nortes, comportamentos outros igualmente conformam a problemática, demandando coibição, ad exemplum, a não repartição dos benefícios, ou ainda, a anormalidade no uso do Patrimônio Genético ou dos Conhecimentos Tradicionais associados, na remessa para o exterior, no transporte e armanezamento do Patrimônio Genético, na divulgação dos Conhecimentos Tradicionais associados e, enfim, variadas condutas contra a Administração da Biodiversidade. Sob uma metodologia monotemática, teórica e científica, investiga-se infindável material bibliográfico para solver assunto contemporâneo e político. A partir de duas premissas, quais sejam, o princípio do menor custo moral que funda eticamente toda a altercação sobre a interação homem e natureza e ainda, o inestimável valor do fato avaliado que justifica a incidência do Direito Penal, alcançou-se a ilação acerca da imprescindibilidade de um concernente tipo penal. Destarte, o deslinde é no sentido de uma incriminação, cujo Bem Jurídico Penal capital sagra-se como sendo a Biodiversidade, perfilhada esta como a diversidade biológica, sem esquecer contudo, de todo um cogente arcabouço tanto jurídico nacional e internacional quanto sócio-econômico para ofertar amparo à resolução desta controvérsia. / The focus of this doctoral thesis is on the subject of Biopiracy and the same time it is a reflection about the establishment of a specific criminal offense. Despite the absence of a unison legal concept on Biopiracy, it starts from the primordial conception of an irregular access to genetic heritage and also to its associated Traditional Knowledge. We should not forget however that, along these two great guidelines, there are other type of behaviors that compound to the problem, which demand restraints, ad exemplum: not sharing the benefits, or even, abnormal use of Genetic Heritage and of its associated Traditional Knowledge in the remittance abroad, in the transport and the storage of Genetic Heritage, in the dissemination of associated traditional knowledge and, finally, in various procedures which are against the administration of Biodiversity. According to the theoretical, scientific and monothematic methodology, we researched endless bibliographic material to settle this contemporary political issue. From two premises, namely, the principle of the lower moral cost on which are based, ethically speaking, all altercation on the interaction between man and nature and also the priceless value of the evaluated fact, which justifies the incidence of criminal law, a conclusion was reached, and it is regarding the indispensability of a relative criminal offense. Thus, the inquiry is regarding criminality, whose capital Legal goods are consecrated as being Biodiversity, endorsed as biodiversity, without forgetting, however, an entire cogent framework both of the national and international judicial branches and of the socio-economic development to offer support to the resolution of this controversy.

O estudo da Geografia nas escolas das comunidades ribeirinhas amazônicas permite leitura da complexidade do ambiente de várzea, terra firme e das relações socioeducativas, socioculturais e socioambientais, no sentido de perceber o mundo vivido por cada sujeito aprendente a partir da relação currículo-cotidiano-saberes tradicionais ou historicamente construídos, com a finalidade de exponenciar o mundo local, regional, nacional e global para que todos possam compreendê-lo e se posicionar como cidadãos e leitores críticos da realidade sistêmica que os envolve. Esta tese procura, através de seu objetivo geral, compreender a articulação entre o currículo, o cotidiano e os saberes tradicionais preexistentes na história de vida dos estudantes que frequentam as escolas ribeirinhas do município de Parintins, evidenciando os tipos de efeitos que geram nos seus matizes e nas suas representações sociais, culturais e históricas do lugar. Para adentrar no universo ribeirinho do município de Parintins foi necessário ter um olhar multirreferencial, alicerçado na fenomenologia; a navegação pelos trajetos da pesquisa permitiu desvendar parte das comunidades ribeirinhas de Parintins, quando se procura conhecer cada lugar para perceber a geografia existente e assim poder justificar, objetivar, problematizar e estabelecer hipótese, dentro de uma indefinição definida do lugar e do objeto da pesquisa. Neste percurso vivido, despontou as construções de saberes e o lugar de vida nas relações culturais, quando os saberes do passado vivenciados nos ensinamentos do presente fazem a Amazônia se destacar como um lugar de múltiplas construções de vida amazônica a partir da vida do ribeirinho, na qual construiu o seu lugar de vida, seja na terra firme e várzea. Ao ancorar na escola da água, da terra e floresta em Parintins, visualizou-se a Escola, currículo e ensino de Geografia na Comunidade de Menino Deus Itaboraí do Meio (várzea) e Santa Maria Vila Amazônia (terra firme), onde o ensino está ligado diretamente a uma proposta curricular de visão urbana, na qual não se permite uma leitura da geografia existente em cada comunidade ou lugar de vida, onde o ensino seriado ou multisseriado tornam águas turvas no conhecimento, conduzindo a uma aprendizagem conturbada e sem perspectiva de novas propostas para a escola de várzea ou de terra firme de Parintins. Nesta perspectiva aprofundou-se o olhar para perceber a geografia e cartografia nas escolas das comunidades ribeirinhas de Parintins a partir de cada resposta ou desenho realizado pelos estudantes em confronto com a geografia existente nos livros didáticos, utilizado como fim e não como meio, mas como recurso didático que emerge de quem o utiliza. Então, entre o risco e o rabisco do estudante, passa-se a ter uma visão da realidade de cada aprendente, considerando que o saber tradicional nas comunidades ribeirinhas de Parintins são possibilidades didáticas para ensinar e aprender Geografia. Percebe-se a necessidade de discussões coletivas para se tentar construir um currículo multicultural que oportunize o fortalecimento do sentimento de pertencimento do estudante da escola de várzea e terra firme a partir da importância do lugar vivido como lugar de vida. / The study of Geography in schools of Amazonian riverside communities allows us to read the complexity of the floodplain and upland environments and the socio-educational, sociocultural and social-environmental relations, leading to the perception of the world lived by each individual learner, from the relation between curriculum-daily life-traditional or historically constructed knowledge, with the purpose of highlighting the local, regional, national and global world, so that everyone can understand it and position themselves as citizens and critical readers of the systemic reality that surrounds them. This thesis seeks, through its general objective, to understand the articulation between the curriculum, daily life and traditional knowledge existing in the life stories of students who attend riverside schools in the city of Parintins, showing the kinds of effects that are generated in nuances and in the social, cultural and historical representations of the place. To enter the riverside universe of the city of Parintins, it was necessary to have a multi referential look, grounded in phenomenology; by navigating the routes of the research, part of the riverside communities of Parintins were unraveled, while we tried to get to know each of the places to identify the existing geography and then be able to justify, objectify, discuss and establish a hypothesis, within a definite vagueness of the place and object of research. In this experienced course, constructions of knowledge were revealed as well as the place of living in cultural relations, when knowledge from the past, experienced in the teachings of today, make the Amazon stand out as a place of multiple constructions of Amazonian life, starting from the riverside life, where they built their place of living, whether in upland or floodplain. When anchoring in the school of water, land and forest in Parintins, we could visualize the school, curriculum and teaching of geography in Menino Deus community-Itaboraí do Meio (floodplain) and Santa Maria Vila Amazônia (upland), where teaching is directly linked to a curriculum proposal based on a perspective from the city, which does not allow us to explore the geography in each community or place of living, where single-grade or multi-grade teaching become turbid waters, leading to troubled learning with no prospect of new proposals for floodplain or upland schools in Parintins. In this perspective, a closer look was given in order to perceive the Geography and Cartography in schools in the riverside communities of Parintins based on each answer or drawing done by students, in comparison to the existing Geography content in textbooks, used as an end and not as a means, but being the only teaching tool, to emerge of those using it. So, among students cartographic scratches, we could view the reality of each learner, considering that the traditional knowledge in riverside communities of Parintins is a didactic possibility for teaching and learning Geography. It is observed the need for collective discussions to try to build a multicultural curriculum that encourages the strengthening of the feeling of belonging by students from floodplain and upland schools, based on the importance of the inhabited place as a place of living.

O presente estudo procurou compreender como se efetua a pesca da manjuba em Iguape-SP e qual a sua relação com o canal do Valo Grande: quais as modificações sofridas pela atividade pesqueira no município, antes, durante e após a construção da barragem no dito canal, e como os pescadores passaram a se organizar após essa interferência no meio ambiente. Objetivou compreender o modo de vida do pescador, através dos seus saberes tradicionais, e como esse modo de vida ainda resiste nos dias atuais, onde a tônica é pescar mais e mais, a fim de se obter uma renda maior. Enfim objetivou-se, mediante o diálogo entre teoria e conhecimento tradicional, mostrar como um pescador artesanal resiste num campo tão competitivo, como é a pesca da manjuba / The present study searched to understand a how to make the manjuba\'s angling in Iguape/SP and wich your relation with the Valo Grande\'s strait: with the modifications suffer the fishing grounds atictivities in the country, before, during and after the structure of the dam in the strait, and how the fisherman have been organized after these interferation in the environment. Objectified to understand the life mode of the fisherman, through of the their traditionals aware, and how this life mode still stard of the present time, where the tonic is fish more to more, in order to have more rent. After all objectified, by means of the dialogue between the theory and traditional knowledge to show how the fisherman resiste in the field so competition, how is the manjuba\'s fish

The importance of including indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs) and their traditional knowledge (TK) into environmental forums such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is being increasingly recognized. Despite numerousefforts to open up forums and assessment processes to diverse types of knowledge, extensive challenges remain for the full and effective participation of IPLCs at all levels of environmental governance. This paper explores three cases of assessment processes at different levels, where TK has been mobilized for monitoring progress towards Aichi Target 18 of the CBD. Through in-depth interviews with representatives for IPLCs, policy-makers and scientists, the mechanisms for mobilizing TK across scales in ways that are legitimate and credible and fulfill the needs for multiple actors are explored. Findings suggest that community-based monitoring and information systems (CBMIS) have greater potential than top-down approaches for capturing the complexity of social-ecological systems and for monitoring progress towards Aichi Target 18. In addition, CBMIS is embedded in the institutions and ecosystem management of IPLCs, providing a direct link between knowledge and action, hence advancing implementation of the CBD on the ground. However, findings across the three cases also demonstrate that hierarchies between knowledge systems and institutional norms of science constitute substantial barriers for the inclusion of insights and knowledge from local monitoring into national and international processes. Overcoming such barriers requires an increase in focus on the process of knowledge sharing rather than solely on the outcomes. A Multiple Evidence Based Approach, where TK and science are viewed as equally valid knowledge, is suggested as a way forward to mobilize TK in forums such as the CBD. Parallel validation methods and intercultural dialogue between TK-holders, scientists and policy-makers is key for creating processes that are legitimate, credible, and salient among a diversity of actors.

This research critically analyse the existing international intellectual property regime with regard to protection of Genetic Resources (GRs) and Traditional Knowledge (TK) in respect of developing countries. It further discusses access and benefit-sharing (ABS) law and its agreement and the implications of such agreement for developing countries and the extent of effectiveness of the existing IIP regimes specifically on the protection of GRs and TK. Developing countries, such as Ethiopia, are considered to be rich in GRs and the associated TK. It is to their disadvantage in such cases that the current IIP regime is not able to protect GRs and TK, and to date, the international intellectual property regime has failed, permitting excessively broad patents over genetic biodiversity. The study also seeks to address the bearing of international intellectual property regimes on access and benefit sharing to biodiversity resources and associated knowledge. It then argues that there is an inherent gap in the current international intellectual property (IIP) regime with regard to GRs and TK, and unless IIP regime is revised in a manner that gives protection to GRs and TK, developing countries will remain disadvantaged. / Dissertation (LLM)--University of Pretoria, 2014 / gm2015 / Centre for Human Rights / LLM / Unrestricted

The aim of this study is to explore if Western researchers with different academic backgrounds comply with requests articulated by Indigenous scholars in establishing relationships with Indigenous Sámi reindeerherders. I examine if the researchers’ motivations, attitude and their possible decolonizing approaches are in accordance with the requests of Indigenous scholars, and how these differ between social and natural scientists.The results illustrate that the researchers’ general mind set,as well as their decolonizing approaches-ifexisting-only partly meet the requests of Indigenous scholars. However,the herders are still interested in participating in research projects,even though the outcomes of these projects often do not seem to have direct positive effects on the reindeerherding community.The differences between social and natural scientists are not strongly pronounced and may possibly be caused by other factors than the academic background only

As China experiences rapid urbanization, local traditional knowledge (LTK) has been increasingly brought to the public’s attention as a significant feature of cultural identity and inclusiveness. Especially in the ethnic minority areas, it is important to respect LTK so that the cultural identity and social cohesion of ethnic minorities can be sustained in an increasingly urbanized environment. The objective of this research is to explore the incorporation of LTK during the process of urbanizing China’s ethnic minority regions from the perspective of residents. Using Dali City as a case study, this dissertation investigates local Bai people’s perspective on LTK with urbanization in mind. Questionnaire surveys, focus group discussions, and daily field observations are employed to examine how Bai LTK is impacting Dali’s cultural landscape. Based on the questionnaire surveys answered by 80 Bai people, this research finds that Dali has a well-preserved Bai cultural landscape. Complementary to the questionnaire findings, the focus group data and daily field observations provide robust conclusions on how local Bai people perceive the preservation of their culture. Respondents placed a high cultural value on Bai language, traditional architecture, and traditional festivals. Nonetheless, a discrepancy is evident between participants’ preferences regarding the conservation of Bai traditions, which reveals the culture preservation is facing challenges. By demonstrating that there are profound differences in Bai LTK conservation between the urban and rural areas, this study contributes to more realistic descriptions of the impact of urbanization in Dali. Particularly, it captures the cultural processes which transform the built environment and reveals a better strategy to integrate LTK with urban development. The decision-making process for ethnic culture preservation is highly complicated and refers to achieving a benefit equilibrium for every stakeholder using a more participative approach. LTK indicates an intrinsic value to a livable city and is instrumental in an inclusive urbanism. The research findings assert a better understanding of culture preservation from the perspective of Bai people in Dali and shed light on the interplay between LTK and sustainable development in the ethnic minority region.

In this study I explore two understudied aspects of India's informal economy, viz. the institutions that sustain informal knowledge, and gender disparities among self-employed workers using a combination of primary survey and interview methods as well as econometric estimation. The data used in the study come from the Indian National Sample Survey (NSS) as well as from fieldwork conducted in the city of Banaras (Varanasi) in North India. The vast majority of the Indian work-force is "uneducated" from a conventional point of view. Even when they have received some schooling, formal education rarely prepares individuals for employment. Rather, various forms of apprenticeships and on-the-job training are the dominant modes of knowledge acquisition. The institutions that enable creation and transfer of knowledge in the informal economy are poorly understood because informal knowledge itself is understudied. However, the rise of the so-called "Knowledge Society" has created a large literature on traditional and indigenous knowledge and has brought some visibility to the informal knowledge pos- sessed by peasants, artisans, and other workers in the informal economy. The present study extends this strand of research. In Chapter Two, taking the weaving indus- try as a case-study, work is introduced into the study of knowledge. Thus informal knowledge is studied in the context of the production relations that create and sustain it. Further, the family mode of production and apprenticeships are foregrounded as important institutions that achieve inter-generational transfer of knowledge at a low cost. Clustering of weaving firms ensures fast dissemination of new fabric designs and patterns which holds down monopoly rents. In Chapter Three taking advan- tage of a recently issued Geographical Indication (GI), an intellectual property right (IPR) that attempts to standardize the Banaras Sari to protect its niche in the face of powerloom-made imitation products, I investigate the likely effects of such an at- tempt to create craft authenticity. Through field observations and via interviews with weavers, merchants, State officials and NGO workers, I find that the criteria of authenticity have largely been developed without consulting artisans and as a result tend to be overly restrictive. In contrast, I find that weavers themselves have a more dynamic and fluid notion of authenticity. Homeworking women are widely perceived to be among the most vulnerable and exploited groups of workers. Piece-rates and undocumented hours of work hide ex- tremely low hourly wages and workers themselves are often invisible. Though women form a crucial part of the Banaras textile industry, to the outside observer they are invisible, both because they are in purdah and because women's work proceeds in the shadow of weaving itself, which is a male occupation. In Chapter Four, using field observations, interviews, and time-use analysis I show that women perform paid work for up to eight hours a day but are still seen as working in their spare time. Because the opportunity cost of spare time is zero, any wage above zero is deemed an improvement. Hourly wage rates in Banaras are found to be as low as eight to ten cents an hour, well below the legal minimum wage. In Chapter Five, I use Na- tional Sample Survey data on the informal textile industry to test the hypothesis that emerges from ethnographic work in Banaras. If women are indeed penalized for un- dertaking joint production of market and non-market goods, women working on their own without hired workers are expected to perform much worse than men working by themselves. I find that after accounting for differences in education, assets, working hours, occupation and other relevant variables, women working by themselves earn 52% less than their male counterparts. This gender penalty disappears in case of self- employed women who can afford to employ wage-workers. I also show that women in the informal economy are more likely to be engaged in putting-out or subcontracting arrangements and suffer a gender penalty as a result.