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This book examines the tablon system, a type of irrigated,
raised-bed horticulture found in the present-day village of
Panajachel in Guatemala. It demonstrates how individual Mayan
farmers use the tablon system as a strategy for adapting to the
demands of a local economy.
New evidence that the ancient Mayas practiced intensive, often
irrigated, agriculture on a massive scale has forced revision in
current thinking about that civilization. Yet, little study has
focused on the heirs of this agricultural tradition; in areas of
highland Guatemala, Mayan farmers today carry on forms of
intensive, irrigated horticulture t
In Louisiana, every bite of food and each turn of phrase is an
expression of cultural literacy. Correctly pronouncing
""Tchoupitoulas"" or ""Atchafalaya,"" knowing the difference
between the first Governor Long and the second one, being able to
spot the artwork of Caroline Durieux, and honoring the distinction
between a Creole and a Cajun roux serve not just as markers of
familiarity; they represent acts of preservation. The Louisiana
Field Guide: Understanding Life in the Pelican State expands on
this everyday communion of history, delving into the cultural
patchwork that makes the Gumbo State both thoroughly American and
absolutely singular. An authoritative lineup of contributors
reintroduces Louisiana through the lenses of environment,
geography, history, politics, religion, culture, language, sports,
literature, film, music, architecture, food, and art. Whether
describing the archi-tectural details of the Ursuline Convent in
the French Quarter or sharing the family history of Bourgeois' Meat
Market just outside of Thibodaux, the essays in The Louisiana Field
Guide present a fresh and expansive look at the enchanting and
perplexing Pelican State. At once an accessible primer and a rich
omnibus, this volume explores the well-known destinations and
far-flung corners of Louisiana, from Cameron Parish to Congo
Square, offering an enlightening companion guide for visitors and a
trust-worthy reference for residents.
The geography of culture has held a sustained attraction for
some of the most distinguished and promising geographers of the
twentieth century. These notable voices have now been brought
together to explore the cultural landscape in this fresh,
encompassing survey of one of geography's most vital research
areas.
In Re-reading Cultural Geography, a worthy successor to the
original and now classic Readings in Cultural Geography (1962), the
editors have gathered articles, essays, and new commentaries, as
well as extensive annotated reading lists and a comprehensive
bibliography, into a book that will be ideal for undergraduate and
graduate courses of all levels.
Assessing an intellectual world far different from the one
defined in the earlier volume, Re-reading Cultural Geography
uncovers the common themes of a vibrant, often clamorous
discipline. Broadly defined, these include "how the world
looks"--the patternings of cultural traits and material artifacts;
"how the world works"--the dynamics of human organizations in
interaction with the environment; and "what the world means"--the
systems of shared values and beliefs that shape communities.
Throughout history almost all traditional indigenous societies have used psychoactive substances derived from plants in religious and healing rituals. Once such plants are adopted by outsiders for profane use, the often impoverished peasant farmers who grow them are faced with a life of extreme poverty or are lured by the prospect of a very lucrative cash crop with a steady market. Before long, their cultural and physical landscape is drastically altered. The purpose of this book is to explore this issue from a variety of perspectives, ranging from opium production in Afghanistan and Pakistan to peyote gardens in south Texas.
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