While much research has examined the intricate interactions associated with the
harvesting of wild animals for human consumption, little work has been undertaken in
attempting to understand the greater socio-cultural significance of such use. In addition,
to properly understand such systems of interaction, an intimate knowledge is required
with regard to the rationale or motivation of resource users. In present day Mali, West
Africa, the population perceives and upholds wildlife as a resource not only of valuable
animal protein, in a region of famine and drought, but a means of generating income.
The animal parts trade is but one mechanism within the larger socio-cultural structure
that exploits wildlife through a complex human-environmental system to the benefit of
those who participate. Moreover, this informal, yet highly structured system serves both
cultural and outsider demand through its goods and services. By using traditional
ethnographic investigation techniques (participant observation and semi-structured
interviews) in combination with thick narration and multidisciplinary analysis (sociocultural
and biological-environmental), it is possible to construct a better understanding
of the functions, processes, and motivation of those who participate. In a world where
there is but only a limited supply of natural and wild resources, understanding human-environmental
systems is of critical value. / Graduation date: 2003
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ORGSU/oai:ir.library.oregonstate.edu:1957/28522 |
| Date | 30 April 2003 |
| Creators | Edwards, Ian B. |
| Contributors | McMurray, David |
| Source Sets | Oregon State University |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis/Dissertation |
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