Details zur Publikation

Kategorie Textpublikation
Referenztyp Zeitschriften
DOI 10.1186/1746-4269-9-41
Titel (primär) Values, animal symbolism, and human-animal relationships associated to two threatened felids in Mapuche and Chilean local narratives
Autor Herrmann, T.M.; Schüttler, E.; Benavides, P.; Gálvez, N.; Söhn, L.; Palomo, N.
Quelle Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine
Erscheinungsjahr 2013
Department NSF
Band/Volume 9
Seite von art. 41
Sprache englisch
Keywords Human-animal interactions; Felids; Conservation psychology; Folktales; Mapuche people; Chile
UFZ Querschnittsthemen RU1;
Abstract

Background

The Chilean temperate rainforest has been subjected to dramatic fragmentation for agriculture and forestry exploitation. Carnivore species are particularly affected by fragmentation and the resulting resource use conflicts with humans. This study aimed at understanding values and human-animal relationships with negatively perceived threatened carnivores through the disclosure of local stories and Mapuche traditional folktales.

Methods

Our mixed approach comprised the qualitative analysis of 112 stories on the kodkod cat (Leopardus guigna) and the puma (Puma concolor) collected by students (9-14 years) from 28 schools in the Araucania region within their family contexts, 10 qualitative in-depth interviews with indigenous Mapuche people, 35 traditional Mapuche legends, and the significance of naming found in ethnographic collections.

Results

We revealed a quasi-extinction of traditional tales in the current knowledge pool about pumas and kodkods, local anecdotes, however, were present in significant numbers. Values associated to both felids were manifold, ranging from negativistic to positive values. While pumas played an important role in people’s spirituality, negative mythological connotations persisted in kodkod stories. Four prominent relationships were derived: (1) Both felids represent threats to livestock, pumas even to life, (2) both felids are symbols for upcoming negative events, (3) pumas are spiritual creatures, and (4) kodkods are threatened by humans. Recommendations are provided for stimulating new ways of perceiving unpopular and threatened carnivores among those who live in vicinity to them.

dauerhafte UFZ-Verlinkung https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=13924
Herrmann, T.M., Schüttler, E., Benavides, P., Gálvez, N., Söhn, L., Palomo, N. (2013):
Values, animal symbolism, and human-animal relationships associated to two threatened felids in Mapuche and Chilean local narratives
J. Ethnobiol. Ethnomed. 9 , art. 41 10.1186/1746-4269-9-41