Orokaivans and Their Beliefs About Whitemen
Orokaivans see the person as being made up of a jo and a hamo—what do these words mean literally, and what are some of the aspects of personhood associated with each. Here you need only list 2 or three of the things Bashkow says about the jo and the hamo, but in class we will think about what he says about implications of conceiving of person in this way for the dynamics of social life in general.
Answer:
Orokavians believe a person is constituted of the body and its inner meaning and therefore to be created it has to be nurture by other. This is the reason the culture value growth thereby taking good care of children to ensure the know their roots (176). additionally, they believe family connections are necessary as thy determine how people respond to actions (97). Therefore, everything that an individual becomes is composed by what they obtained from those around them during their growth and development.
Briefly, why is the softness of Whiteman’s skin potentially morally troubling for Orokaiva?
Answer:
On the characteristics that are visible, brightness is among the most valued and in most of the cases is associated with pure and beauty. Orokaiva believe that the softness is associated with their characteristics of carefree where everybody is bound together by the ties of independence (91). Therefore no one has to care for the elderly or tend the sick which is against the believes of the Orokaiva people.
Briefly, why is the softness of Whiteman’s skin an apparent contradiction for Orokaiva?
Answer:
Orokaiva believe that to obtain wealth there is a need to work hard and undertake task that are vigorous. On the other they believe that the softness of the Whitemen’s skin is associated with lack of exposure to harsh environment and undertaking only the simple tasks (111). Therefore, they question the wealth of the whitemen as they believe they do not exert themselves in ways that are necessary in the production of wealth.
Why is it considered bad for an Orokaivan to let someone else see something of theirs that is “bright”? What can they do to make up for this?
Answer:
Unlike the Whitemen who are considered immune to sorcery, Orokaivans believe that something that is bright in their life would be undermined by others (135). Additionally, due to the determination of the Whitemen to dominate in owning wealth, they would offer a price for anything they considered bright. Since the race signifying objects are independent of person, there is a need to ensure that what one considers bright is meant to benefit themselves.
What are the properties of rice and tinfish/tinmeat that make them exemplary Whitemen’s foods?
Answer:
Orokaiva believe that “you are what you eat” but they have a mixed attitude towards the Whiteman’s food as on one hand they consider it light, soft and weak (153). On the other hand, it is derided as nutritious and tasty (163). Therefore most of the Whiteman’s prefer these meals as the food produces growth due to its nutritious value without inducing heaviness as it is light to digest.