The Ethno Science Approach and its View of the Role of Marriage in a Essay

The Ethno Science Approach and its View of the Role of Marriage in a Society - Essay Example They consider the organization of the society regarding several issues, for instance, their structural classification of plants and their uses in relation to the specific societies (Ferraro & Andreatta, 2009). Ethno science is dependent on nature as it requires the indigenous people in order to understand their relationships with their environment. Actually, ethno science stems from the raw knowledge that certain people have on nature in view of their natural environment (Kaplan, 2007). Every ethno scientist would be interested in understanding the people’s knowledge on ethno-botany, ethno-zoology, and ethno-medicine. This information is conceptualized by an ethno scientist to come up with the final finding on societal knowledge concerning nature around them (Kottak, 2008). With the view that different societies have different knowledge with reference to nature and environment, it is extremely important for an ethno scientist to explore the effect of marriage to specific natur al knowledge in the society. Marriage in most societies involves transfer of a wife from her indigenous home to a new environment. Interestingly enough, when it happens, different cultures collide or merge and provide the opportunity for the adoption of new understanding of the environment (Moore, 1998). This will be in terms of the societal exploration and exploitation of nature in everyday life; for example, the classification of plants for nutritional, medicinal, and aesthetic purposes. To an ethno scientist, marriage in the society provides a situation in which a blend of natural knowledge will arise through incorporation of the different experiences and knowledge of the two or more people who have been raised in different environment endowed with different plant, animals and other natural features influencing people’s beliefs and knowledge (Percival, 1966). An ethno scientist will conclude that the marriage in the society can help reorganize these peculiar societal knowl edge and create a new set of beliefs and practices. The different systems of knowledge coming together necessitate erosion and assertion of new concepts. Since there are many concepts studied by ethno science, the marriage in the society will actually influence some of them (Sanga & Ortalli, 2003). In ethno botany, which involves the societal beliefs on the use of plants and their different roles in the improvement of human life, marriage will ensure that either one of the parties involved gets to learn more about the use of a plant or gets to learn about a totally new plant’s use (Dasgupta & Sarkar, 2005). For instance, various communities use plants in doing several things; this knowledge cannot be known by others, unless there is a very intimate association of two people who come from different societies, possibly by means of marriage. Different communities have used plants for several reasons; they have been used as a cure for snake’s venom, in soaring milk, as wel l as dyes and cosmetics (Percival, 1966). An ethno scientist will also view marriage in the society as an accelerating factor for environmental exploitation. There is a very close relation between environmental usage and ethno science. Human beings are in constant use of the environment and disturb natural balance in satisfying their needs. In the course of doing this, there can be environmental concerns regarding exploitation; it can lead to the extinction of some plants and animals species (Percival, 1966).

Imperial China 1600 to 1900 Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Imperial China 1600 to 1900 - Research Paper Example Therefore the imperial China from 1600-1900 is defined by about 44 years under the Ming dynasty and the rest under the Qing dynasty. The period from 1600 to 1644 marked the downfall of the Ming dynasty, which had earlier established a strong internal governance system in the country. Threats from external imperialists who partitioned and reduced the Chinese territory and devastating earthquake strained the Ming dynasty greatly and it eventually succumbed to the Qing dynasty. According to Johan, one of the most enduring remnant of the Ming dynasty is the China’s Great Wall that was strategically build to protect the country from foreign invaders(73). On ascending to power, the Qing dynasty made drastic changes in the social and political system of the country. Initially it concentrated on reviving the social economy and this required changes on previous structures that had been entrenched by the Ming dynasty. The reforms strengthened the central governance and the imperial rulings (Elman and Woodside 63). Johan notes that by the mid of 18 century China had achieved remarkable economic and scientific developments credited to prudent economic and political administration by the Qing rulers (104). China experienced a long period of peace and stability after the Qing dynasty ascended to power. This enabled expansion of Chinese society in virtually all realms. For instance, the population grew tremendously and other economic sectors developed (Susan 86). In addition, China opened its borders to international trade becoming a trading partner of several European countries, including Great Britain. China was an important source of silk, tea and porcelain (Susan 99). During Qing dynasty, the influence of Chinese art spread in the western countries and other trading partners. Moreover, China expanded its territory courtesy of a