Cultural Anthropology Essay: Comparing Indigenous Cultures and Values

This essay delves into the realm of cultural anthropology, exploring the motivations behind human actions and cultural preservation. It begins by posing a philosophical question: why individuals risk their lives for change, using Martin Luther King Jr. as an example. The essay then examines the Yanomami, an indigenous group in the Amazon forest, and their fight to protect their land and way of life against external threats. Their actions are rooted in a deep belief in their ideals and culture. The essay further discusses the Sami people of Europe, focusing on their efforts to maintain their cultural heritage despite modernization, particularly through reindeer herding, the use of the Sami language, and the establishment of a Sami Parliament. The essay concludes by emphasizing the importance of cultural rights and freedoms in preserving cultural heritage, highlighting the Yanomami and Sami struggles and values. The essay draws upon anthropological concepts and provides insights into the dynamics of cultural change and preservation.

RUNNING HEAD: CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY 1
Cultural Anthropology
Name:
Institution

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The question as to why people are willing to risk their lives in order to bring about
changes is a philosophical one. History has a variety of individuals who can be said to have
endured hardships just to bring about changes. Martin Luther King is one such example, a clergy
man who went out of the normal to fight for equality between the whites and the blacks in
America. It is argued that the need for food, clothing or shelter is not enough drive to make a
person go through such hardships (Johnson 2003). On the contrary, such a strong motivation
comes from deep belief in one’s ideals or religion. Furthermore, the fact that such endurance
would give a person higher ranking in society could make them endure such hardships.
The Yanomami are an indigenous group of people living in the Amazon forest. They are
slowly fading away due to many reasons such as diseases, malnutrition and even war. Currently,
the greatest threat the Yanomami are facing is intrusion by foreigners into the Amazon forest.
These foreigners mostly seek to exploit the rich resources such as oil and timber, lying in the
Amazon forest. The Yanomami despite being armed with only bows and arrows, do not sit back
and watch while theses foreigners destroy their land. They put up a fight. They do so because
they believe that they are fighting for their dignity and their lives (Chagnon 2013). The
Yanomami believe that the Amazon forest is their land and they would at no cost allow anyone
to destroy their land. However, this has cost many of the Yanomami their lives. This story of the
Yanomami clearly indicates why man can put their lives to risk just to bring about change. The
motivation is intrinsic, from deep belief in their ideals and culture.
The Sami are an indigenous group of people found in Europe, in countries such a Norway
and Sweden. They are a unique people who are known for their reindeer herding activites.
Though the Sami have recently undergone various changes related to modernization, this group
of people have taken up various measures to ensure that their cultural heritage is maintained. In

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her speech, “The Reindeer People” Erika Larsen illustrates how warm and loving the Sami. She
discusses her experience with the reindeer people and how they have maintained their culture.
First and foremost, the Reindeer People use the Sami language. This Sami language is
similar to the Hungarian language as well as that of the Finnish. This is because, the language
belongs to the Uralic language group. Further still, the Sami language has been made official in
Norway. Thus, one is allowed to respond in Sami language where they cannot express
themselves in any other language. A Sami person can seek medical or other government services
while speaking in the Sami language if it is the best language in which they can express
themselves.
In addition, as mentioned earlier, the Sami people, though having exposure in the modern
world, have not abandoned reindeer herding. This is the one activity they are best known for.
Though as explained by Erika in “The Reindeer people/Nat Geo”, it doesn’t not bring much
income to the Sami people, they carry out reindeer herding with a passion. Their traditional attire
is made of reindeer skins. They have even come up with ways of making shoes using the
reindeer skin. This goes a long way in maintaining their culture.
The Sami people have established a Sami Parliament. This Parliament is legally
recognized in the countries where the Sami live. This Parliament is based in Norway. It
deliberates on matters related to the Sami culture. It discusses issues such as education of the
Sami people and how they can continue preserving their cultural heritage. It is in the Sami
parliament where events such as cultural festivals and art exhibitions are organized.
In order to retain one’s cultural heritage the best move would be to sensitize people
regarding their rights and freedoms. Understanding that human beings have the fundamental

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right to associate with others, to express themselves and to own property (Gerstenblith, 2008)
despite differences in cultural heritage would enable one to fully express their culture without
any fear of stigmatization or victimization by the law of the land.

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References
Chagnon, N. A. (2013). Ya̧nomamö .
Gerstenblith, P. (2008). Art, cultural heritage, and the law: Cases and materials. Durham, N.C:
Carolina Academic Press.
https://youtu.be/bPiKAhhEHXA
Johnson, D. M. (2003). How history made the mind: The cultural origins of objective thinking.
Chicago: Open Court.