The technique of participant observation
Question 1.
The technique of participant observation is utilized in the contest of Dr. Knauft. During the death of Swamin’s first wife, Mokoyl is pretending to be so innocent where he uses bird egg divination. He prepares the egg, but on the wrong part, they are not well cooked. It is well evidenced by Swamin vomiting after he had eaten the eggs as he was expected t eat. Also, the week that followed, the Mokoyls were tricked into the bush by Swamin and split her skull since the spiritual evidence proved that Mokoyls was guilty and, in that case, deserved to die. The government officials never knew what had happened. As a fact of investigation and gathering information to the officers, participant- observation was used by them to collect relevant information about the death of Mokyl as witnessed on page 120-121.
Also, this tool has well seen on pages 122-123. During the death of Dugawe, Dr. Kanuf argues that he observed and also participated in the retrieval of the body of Dugawe. He also attended the funeral and burial, where some investigation concerning the sorcery ich was conducted. On the other hand, he says that he did not like to participate in the suspected attack of the corker who was alleged. Also, he argues that what could have saved was only to plan for the departure of Sialims to a place that could be safe for him. They were made them act s kin supporters on the side of the woman’s family hence saving her. On the fortunate part, no any form of violent action has en conducted on her (P. 123)
Another aspect of participant observation s witnessed in the area where the Genus men were so open about their sexual relationship. They become so open to her and that they were willing to commit sex with her. Even though she was observing their custom, the Genus men reply by arguing that all those customs could get broken, and they couldn’t hide them from committing sex with her. She made her keenly to observe how they were breaking the rules. Mora almost convicted her in the sexual acts. As a result of the influence that was being witnessed. On the other side, she was afraid because the men could end up loving her into the sexual rituals of there community. She remained keenly observing them as they were breaking such routines but did not like to engage in them. (P. 169) also, on page 93, the act of the observation is well revealed excellently. As the people are busy in their work perfuming fieldwork roles other of the professionals instead of joining them, they instead relax and decide to observe as the others are busily perfuming their fieldwork roles. It was being characterized by taking some notes of what the others were doing.
In the death of Dugawe during his funeral, this tool of participant and observation has also been used. It happens in the cases where the author takes to tin observing the progress of the burial process. P. 123) in participation bit, she participates by making the body to the funeral. She didn’t like to be associated with the sorcerer. Instead went ahead and helped to facilitate the departure of Salamis
to a place that could be safe
Question 2.
In the way of living among the Genus, it’s apparent that they were many eaters of pig meat. They could majorly depend on pigs as food since they loved the beef. They could keep pigs in their families and raise them basically of the purpose of eating them once they grow. As a matter of fact, due to the growing population in their land, the pigs could not give them enough food and could satisfy them. As a result, this act made them desire to go out to forage other animals so that the meat could at least satisfy them. As clearly indicated on page 82. They were keeping some of the animals and also could forage other animals which were not kept in their families. As the out hour narrates, they were in between, for they could depend on both meals. It became an s culture for the residences as they could majorly be foragers as they grew. Furthermore, forging is well discussed in chapter two on page 93. Forge ring is well explained as it was a rhythm of survival in that area; most of the activities that they usually performed were majorly characterize by figuring role. The Gabusi people had shifted all their roles as they interested in gaining most of their surroundings.
On the other hand, Gabusi was using horticulture as one of the subsistence methods in the area. The Gabusi land was faced with a lot of suns which made most of the leaves of trees to dry up. The drying up was then followed by the leaves falling down to the ground. These leaves would decompose on the ground. When it was time for the rain, the leaves would decompose, forming nice manure in the land. As a result, they would plant some crops which would do very well. This form of horticulture could be their way of living from time to time. They could also use the leaves could cover some of the bananas, which could assist them ton ripe. During the rainy season, as a result of the rain, the banana trees could fall on the ground. They could notice this when they saw banana leaves had fallen. In the event of an opening, it’s when they could realize that the entire banana tree had fallen, as explained on page 76. The event could be followed but cutting the banana fruit, separating it from the plant. Furthermore, they could cut the banana leaves and its stem, which could be used as pasture to the other animals they had kept. The evidence is very clear about the horticulture process, which has been practiced.
Question 3.
The coming of age ceremony was one of the representatives of sexual acts. The ceremonies could be practiced in a cultural manner. The events could be planned occasionally, and most of the people could attend the events and join them. There could be a number of cultures that were being grouped. For example, one of the sexual cultures came with different dancing styles, singing, and had some ritual feasts. The three adult men confront the author and tell her, “Go over there and sleep with the women. Build your “fire” over there. “In those festivals there used to be a lot of jokes coming out of the people. Most of them did not know each other but could make a lot of fun and could make themselves very happy, as explained on page 165. For example, Dogon and Yaba were related. Neither did they come from the same community. The jokes could bring together people and make them feel very much connected to one another. Yaba and Down really seemed to have an intimacy to have sex with one another. They do this by using” phallus” like a tree gift exchange name. Some of their jokes could not necessarily mean they needed to have sexual affairs, but the general was making much fun out it.
Another incidence of the age ceremony was witnessed, whereby during the ceremony, they could get some young men and align them in a line (p.210). They could get arrange based on the shoulder to shoulder in a straight line. They also could determine who was taller and arrange them according to their height. This could be a sign of kinship and friendship. The aligning cold is arranged in a systematic manner according to their age by spacing them appropriately. This arrangement manner crystallized the sublime growth of the general Gabusi fraternity. It was also a good symbol of the gift given aspect to the Gebusi society.
In the case of spiritual matters, according to Sayu (p.254), The Sunday services were scheduled to begin when the sun was beyond trees. This meant that the service could begin at some minutes late. On her first Sunday, she realized that she was a bit late. It was evidenced were from a distance, she got to hear about the rhymes that were being sung from the church. Upon entering the church just found that everyone had already inside the church; only she was late. She slowly sat down and keenly kept looking at the priest who was conducting the church service. The coming together of the people was a result of unity and spirituality matters was much practiced.
Initiation was also another age symbolism of the culture. Basically, this was majorly concentrating on the height of the males on the Gebusi land. Women we also included as a cultural parasite of the people of the Gebusi land. The coming together of the different cultures could bring the spirituality matter, sexuality materiality, friendship, kinship, and gender at a common pace. People could literally enjoy each other’s company through the sharing of their togetherness. Despite the bad incidences that could happen like that do with deaths, calamities, or bad incidences, the Gebusi people could generally come together to celebrate happiness( 219). In this case, people could know each other and interact as a team. Also, coming together could bring intermarriages between different ethnic groups of people. People were in this manner allowed to marry from any area. Young men and girls could associate freely without any fear of any boundary
Question 4
The culture of the women of the Gabusi land was very different from that on men. For example, as depicted on page 320, women knew very well how to utilize their time to compare to men effectively. In the market, they were seen as very punctual. Also, they were the best in making most of the transactions. Most of them had learned businesses from class. Due to the experience that they had, it gave them an opportunity to even traveling to many places in the nation. It was as a culture to them to make an investment do time all the time. They took specific time in going to the markets where they could perform different transactions concerning their specific families. They were the key personalities in the family. As compared to their previous roles in their region of getting money, they seem to have changed in a great manner. There change is well evidenced in the areas of adapting to modern developments. This was through getting their own products where they could transport them to the other parts of the world. Despite the fact they had not leaned the language better, they could not withstand any form of embarrassment. (p.297) as being a good ethnographer, she continued to develop more interest in the field of the market learning new forms of transacting from day today. Some of these changing cultures witnessed among them are like going to churches, attending the schoolman market as well.
For instance, women seem to have a big role when it comes to church. It can well be shown where most of the churches the largest congregation if that of women. Most of the families are well established as a result of the strong religious background of Christianity been established in the family. Most of the leadership has generally been contributed by the women. Furthermore, the posts that are managed by the women seem to be managed accordingly.
In addition, as a culture among women, education has become one of the significant instruments been established in families. Their children are first encouraged by women to attend school to gain knowledge. Most of their children are also thought of by women. When their children are from school, they were taught the assignments on how to go about them. It is a very crucial role been taken by women in the education sector. Most of the female student is naturally addictive to education. They seem to like learning a lot as per previous cases.
Children seem to play a very significant role in the economy. Most of the transactions that have been carried over women partake a very substantial role. Most prosperous businesses are a result of women. Even in cases of looking at the meals for the children, women seem first to give it the priority when dealing with their children. They consider them as their primary role.
In the case of the Gebusi people, if the sectors of the church, education, and the market seemed to be doing well, it was clear evidence that most of the contribution was as a contribution from the women as explained on page 321. The women were seen to be the best role models of society.
On the other side, men seemed to have their cultural practices. As witnessed on page 58, men could gather in the evening time. They could assemble at one cluster were they could share some stories. At the same point, they could start smoking tobacco. After smoking, they were going to a controlled trance; the control towards men was being referred to as spirit séances. The own medium spirit is said that could leave the flesh and go to the world of the spirits. After a few moments, the new spirit world is now begging to shine through the medium of the minds. It could begin by whispering at small tones, which could be followed by some singing soft falsetto tones as the ghosts continue to sing. The sound could get clear and, at this point, could be understood. The men at the centered corner could then begin to echo him joining the spirits in the singing process. This form of singing would, therefore, help to encourage the spirit hence provoking him to sig louder and louder having great confidence to sing. The progress being perfected, it could be followed by a chorus been followed from time to time. Generally could be from the male chorus. Men could continue singing with laughter, and much joy as the women could watch on them.
Men conducted most hunting activities. (p.70). It was the role of men when it came to fishing where they could go with spears to go to do fishing. Furthermore, men and young boys are the ones who were basically handling bows and arrows. This was followed by them giving to the bushes where they could hand of animals. Since the Gabusi people were a fan of eating the pigs, it was the role f men always to be keeping and taking care of them in order to feed the entire society. They could protect the pigs and ensure that they are providing for the necessary requirements such as waster and its food.
Question 5
There are most of the cases that prove evidence about the sorceries din existence and as a cause of death of the Gebusi individuals. Sorcery has majorly been seen as it is practiced baby most of the people in the area. In the story about Dugawe’s death, it seems to have saddened a lot of people, and the community entirely is much concerned about it. Sorcerers caused a lot of deaths in the community (p.125). The tension in the area hence demands a concern which makes some investigation to be conducted concerning the death. As a result of the accusation, those accused of the sorceries are then thoroughly investigated whether they were responsible for the death. As the women of Genus are mooning for the death. Men investigate, and then they take some action on those who had been found guilty of the sorceries. This clearly shows that the sorceries are the major cause that caused the death. Still, punishment has beu=been taken upon those people who were found guilty of the sorceries. The visitors who come to the burial express more profound antagonism of the death that has occurred.
Sorceries could be in the form of diseases to adult deaths. (P.152- 153) For an infection to happen to a person, according to the investigation, it’s obvious that they participate majorly in contributing to the disease root. Any death has therefore been believed there was a certain type of sorcery that was being associated. sorceries have been associated with divination. For the death of Dug awe. It said that she was not a sorcerer, but in the midst of the family could be some divinations existing. The sorcery spirit is also evident in the gathering of men. In these night meetings, they were told that they are as an association with the sorcery spirit. is more evidenced by the night séances that they were practicing at night?
The accusation of the sorcery theft has been associated with the death of Dugawe is of kins. some people who were said to be in a relationship (p.153). Most of the young women were not associated with sorceries. They were believed to be the most productive part of society. The older men and older women mostly have been accused of ritual deeds and sorceries. Any form of death could, therefore, be linked in them. They also have the powers and knew about their origins. The same people who were supposed to be the key roles of the community were majorly accused of the ritual deeds. The sorceries act were being practiced among the Gebusi people. In other words, they were killing their own people instead of protecting them. (p.154)
Further adding, another incidence of killing by sorcerers is also witnessed whereby a man falls from a coconut tree (p.115) after falling down his rip had broken, which made him end up losing his grip. The sorcerer in these cases does not appear in person but only does some rituals that make the man fall and die. In the case of Dugawe’s death, the sorcerer had confused Dugawe to an extend that he was capable of killing himself. The real sorcerer had been discovered that had come from a nearby village.
According to the Gebusi people, sorcery has been groped into two main classes. These are parcel sorcery and assault sorcery. Parcel sorcery is the sorcery that is being associated with the magic power referred to be goodwill. They believe that this kind of sorcery majorly depends on the ages of the other; people who are capable of causing death to a person. Assault sorcery is another form of sorcery that is dealt with in the arena of the spirits. This is also known as shamanism, which can also be associated with types of divination.
Question 6
The people of the Gebusi were practicing their own culture for a period of time. This continued for quite some time, not until there was in contact with the westerner. Before, they were practicing all forms of traditional forms of society like some deeds like hunting for the animal, old way of farming, and many others. (p.27) when the westerners arrived, they began slowly changing them. They changed the way of farming, where they brought other types of crops to plant by coming with new seeds. In addition, they changed the machines of farming. At first, the Gebusi residents were using the holes to dig holes then plant their crops. In this case, it was replaced by plows and other tractors. Other machines where developed that could make work easier in farming work to be easier. The improved way of farming led to the development of the output of their farm produce from their farms. The act was of much encouragement among the people of Gebusi. The quality and the number of their products also had increased. The increase was seen contributed by the mass production of farming since they were using advanced appliances of farming.
Despite the local languages that the Gebusi people were speaking, this was advanced by the introduction of new languages (p.29) as the culture of the Gebusi people, and young children were just thought of the small traditional skill that they could apply on their normal life activities. In the coming of the westerners, they introduced schools, and all the small children were in the position to go to school. In the school, they were taught on new languages of communications, which not only could be used locally but also could be used beyond boulders. The language could be understood by most of the international people. The Gebusi people were slowly getting to learn a new language. They were also taught to win how to write the same language. This symbolized serious developments among the people of the Gebusi. Children in the school were also drawing pictures that represented there future selves such as pilots, nurses, teachers, and many more, which could be a driving force to them. ( p.30) This was in order to help them accomplish their agenda of whom they wished to become.
Another aspect of the church was also introduced. People of the Gebusi were mostly practicing sorceries among themselves. The acts of spirituality did not exist to win anyway. They were slowly converted where they were taught about the word of God hence been converted two church. On Sunday was a day of going to the church, and most of the people converted, in the same manner, they were taught new songs and were enjoying singing. Other types of modern songs introduced were hymn songs. There were instruments of music such as guitar, which were also introduced for playing such songs.
Drastically the old cultures of the Gebusi people were dying. (P.320 the old cultural practices that were being practiced in 1980 seemed to be dying, and by the 1990s, the new culture has bend adopted. This showed a great improvement in the area. They continued to maintain their culture and also maintaining their original land. Their population was drastically continuing to grow. New living standards were much witnessed as they were combining both the world ways old ways of living with the new customs among them. Their old culture was neglected, and they started adopting and practicing the developments introduced.
Lastly, there were social-cultural changes that were introduced hence changing the culture of the Gebusi people. (p.296) since people had become leaned, they could be in a position to understand different languages as taught in the school. They were in the position to great one another despite your origin as could understand one another. This was advanced, and people started to intermarry between different social areas. People were able to travel to different areas of the world. As a matter of fact, they could perform some transactions globally. This was through getting their own products where they could transport them to the other parts of the world. Despite the fact they had not leaned the language better, they could not withstand any form of embarrassment. (p.297) as being a good ethnographer, she continued to develop more interest in the field of the market learning new forms of transacting from day today. The improvement was seen increasing at a very high speed. Most of the people she interacted with were commonly female, making at about 91% (285 / 313).