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
In some of the diverse cultures of the pacific, especially in Melanesia, the pig is the most important domesticated animal. It is predominantly used for ceremonial purposes such as in funerals, weddings and age-set rituals. Several of the films in the long-term Reef islands Ethnographic Film project thus show the killing of pigs in conjunction with such events, at times giving a some what disturbing impression of human-animal relationships, particularly for audiences uses to see meat only wrapped in cellophane at the local supermarket. In this short film a mummy, daddy, and their little son go out to feed their pigs, conveying the impression of an altogether different human-animal relationship, one of tenderness, care, and love, whilst also showing how children learn through awareness of animals nature and technology.
Samuel was born and raised in Cameroon. He grew up in a society where everyone believed in the existence of witchcraft. Every tragedy and evil was caused by a supernatural being. His childhood was marked by belief in witchcraft and its practices. After five years of studying film production abroad, he returned to his country, this time not to visit his family but to unveil the mysteries and secrets of witchcraft and his childhood nightmares. 
