TRADIČNÍ ZNALOSTI ASHÉNINKŮ – PALMA PIASSABA
CZ, 2012, 9 min
Pavel Borecký
26.01.2013 16:35
When inhabitants of rainforest walk under its canopy, they see resources for life. The ways of collecting, processing and utilization of these resources are based upon traditional indigenous knowledge which is for „western“ science examined by ethnobotany. The discipline generally focuses on cultural, social and economical relationships between plants and indigenous peoples. Movie camera is during field research used very rarely.Among the other goals of scientific expedition Wayvana Peru 2011 we have strived to answer the question: „Are methods of visual anthropology for preservation of traditional indigenous knowledge applicable? If so, what are pros and cons of this approach?“ The movie is part of „visual ethnobotany“ series and depicts „the story of resource“ piassaba palm (Aphandra natalia).
Pavel Borecký study PhD. program at University of West Bohemia in Pilsen. He directed ethnographis movie called „Gáj“ and he lead ethnobotanic expedition „Wayvana“ to Peru.
Director: Pavel Borecký
Production: Anthropictures, Institut tropů a subtropů ČZU v Praze
Language of dialogues: Spain
Language of subtitles: Czech
Film "Úsvitu " tries to infiltrate into the life of one group which protests " against current political situation, consumerism and uniformity". By distribution of posters the group tries to enter to public media sphere of streets and point out what people in this group feel like oppresion or attack on freedom of a man. This battle against capitalism is headed by three guys of „Úsvitu“. Dissatisfaction, opinions and emotions felt from society are main things which connect these guys. Using "film language", the authors try to convey the viewer not only their collective beliefs and feelings, but also specific and personal vision of the world.
This film focuses how people share a collective sense of history through the auditory experience. dehong Tai people embrace Theravada Budhism. In ordes to live better in this world and the next, they perform dignified rituals and acquire "merit". For the rituals they spend years and save money, then they do a good deed like contribution of Budhist statues and building the bridges. chief donators commission an intellectual to write historical scriptures to hand down the good deed to posterity. It is called "Lik Yaat" in Tai and written with beautiful words and rhyme. After the cultural revolution, only a few intellectuals can create and chant "Lik Yaat" now. There is a woman, Wan Xiand-ya, who strives for the tradition of "Lik Yaat". She should be their first and last female intellectual who can write "Lik Yaat" in Tai history.
