BSAS - André Iteanu, Natural and biological diversity: What Melanesia may teach us

Abstract

The strand of environmentalism that focuses on biodiversity as produced by the ecosystem places natural agency beyond human control. Seen from Melanesia, where plants, animals, and men cannot radically be distinguished from one another, this standpoint seems too radical, as agronomic studies have shown that Melanesian gardens possess a profusion of biodiversity superior to the so-called natural one. My paper therefore attempts to show that Melanesian commonality between people and plants and the correlative association of plants with relationships are at the root of this profusion. In sum, rather than placing nature outside the reach of humans, the Melanesian case suggests that biodiversity is best served by human ritual actions during which relationships are associated with vegetables.

Bionote

André Iteanu is an anthropologist and professor emeritus at the École Pratique des Hautes Études, where he holds the chair Pacific Religions. He is also a full Directeur de recherche emeritus at the National Center of Research. He has conducted extensive fieldwork since 1980 among the Orokaiva in Papua New Guinea and in Cergy-Pontoise, a French suburb, with marginalized youth. He has published extensively on topics concerning ritual, temporality, hierarchy, individualism, emigration, and values. He has also made three documentary films among the Orokaiva which have won numerous awards.

The department seminar, known as Bergen Social Anthropology Seminars (BSAS), is the main forum for dialogue and debate about anthropological research and theoretical development at the Department in Bergen. All is welcome!