January 30, 2002
Chagnon presents history of primitive people
Anthropologist gives lecture at NMC next week
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
As the culture and habitats of native people are rapidly disappearing in the modern world, anthropologists such as Dr. Napoleon Chagnon are one of the last lines of defense for these native peoples.
Through his 35 years of immersion into the lives of the Yanomamo people, a preliterate culture based in the Amazon Basin, Chagnon has watched from a unique perspective as these people encountered the modern world. As missionaries, development and politics intruded on the remote worlds of these people, whose territory spans Brazil and Venezuela, they have become increasingly sophisticated.
"The primitive world is rapidly disappearing," noted Chagnon. "This is our last attempt or opportunity to understand what is left, to try to document before it is all changed."
Chagnon will discuss his experiences living with the tribe and give a slide presentation on the Yanomamo people next Wednesday, February 6, at Northwestern Michigan College. His talk touches on more than 35 years of study and is sponsored by the college's Student Government Association.
Students of introductory anthropology courses at the college prompted Chagnon's appearance. When they heard from their instructor, Sonja Olshove, that Chagnon lived nearby, they badgered her to invite him to speak until she finally approached him. Both Olshove and her students are enthralled at the chance to listen to one of the greats in the field.
"Chagnon's work is the foundation, the core to any introduction to anthropology class," said Sonja Olshove, a sociology instructor at Northwestern Michigan College who uses Chagnon's definitive anthropology text, 'Yanomamo,' in her class. "It stands out as the classic ethnography and his case study is the most widely used case study in the history of anthropology."
"If you are teaching psychology, it would be like Sigmund Freud moving to Traverse City; as an instructor, talk about the text book coming alive."
The world of cultural anthropology is fraught with tension, controversy and pitched battles among orthodox theories and field observations. In fact, the changing political and social climate since the beginning of his career, coupled with a book attacking his work, methods and treatment of the Yanomamo, effectively ended Chagnon's ability to conduct field research.
Weary of the battle to continue his studies, Chagnon retired in 1999 as professor emeritus from the University of California at Santa Barbara. He had also taught at the University of Michigan, Penn State, Cambridge and Northwestern University.
The Michigan native settled in Traverse City two years ago with his wife of 41 years, Carlene. Chagnon has kept a low profile over the last two years and has been writing a book called "The Noble Savage."
"Theories have changed in anthropology and biology, which have caused anthropologists to take a fresh look at things that have occurred," said Chagnon, who lived with the Yanomamo for 15 months during his first visit and has returned 30 times.
"Back in the 1960s, when I began my field research, we were always interested in the health and well being of native peoples; now it is almost a prerequisite."
Theories and controversies may come and go, but the lure of understanding human nature will endure. Chagnon's long-term studies and data spanning generations provides crucial clues to these questions.
"Anthropology is always relevant because it answers the most central question about human nature," Olshove said. "You see such diversity around the world and yet you also see so much that is the same. The Yanomamo are a classic example of this, because they are so different from us and at the same time so much the same."
Dr. Napoleon Chagnon will be giving a public lecture on Wednesday, February 6, at 7 p.m. in the Milliken Auditorium. Admission is $1 or one can of food per person, which will be donated to local food pantries.