Hi Readers,
The Amazonia exhibit at the Museum of Anthropology showcases various artifacts from Indigenous societies in South America. The exhibit highlights how both human and natural causes have altered the environment and challenged these communities. For instance, the deforestation of the Amazon rainforest has had serious repercussions on the native communities of that region. The content of this exhibition parallels some of the conflicts that Indigenous communities in Canada face, in particular the struggle for Indigenous groups to have a voice in society. The opening sentiment of this exhibit draws attention to how Indigenous groups in the Amazon provide an example of how humans can interact with the environment in a positive way, and how environmental changes and human actions are compromising this symbiosis. This opening statement also mentions how these communities are speaking up about the ways to respect the environment; at the heart of this argument is the notion of the “rights of nature” which means that the environment should be able to live and thrive rather than being seen as a commodity to demolish.
A specific artifact that drew my attention was the Shipibo doll that was representative of health. The doll has an intricate pattern on its whole body, and this pattern is meant to show how health and beauty are synonymous in this culture. When someone in the Shipibo community is ill, healers paint the body to exemplify health, a connection with the earth and a connection to others. The idea of a community effort to help those who are ill, and to do so in such an artistic and environmentally spiritual way is something that I find very fascinating. A sociologist might look at this event and focus on the dynamics of the community and how it is related to the self, a geographer might look deeper into their practice of health and use of the natural environment, and a political scientist might be curious about how the Shipibo people are an example of environmentalists that are non-conformist to western methods and ideals of health. On a personal level, I initially looked at this artifact with a more artistic perspective because I was intrigued by the intricate designs on the doll.
Overall, visiting the exhibit was an amazing experience. I feel like I learned a lot about Indigenous groups in the Amazon that I previously had seldom knowledge of. It was also very special to look at these precious artifacts that reflect such a vibrant culture. The exhibit also made me mindful of how I treat the earth and how I could make a difference if I adopted some of the ideologies of these native groups.
