Abstract
This paper is a reflective narrative depicting the characteristics and practices of the traditional agricultural ecological knowledge of the Tayal people who live in the hind mountains of Jienshi District, Hsinchu County. This paper also initiates a dialogue with anthropologist Tim Ingold's discourse about walking based on his interpretations of the concepts of production, history, dwelling and lines, which I echo with my understanding of care from an ecological perspective. In contemporary society, Tayal people's agricultural activities are greatly influenced by the modern market economy. Therefore, the operation of traditional household management is loosened and changed. However, through my fieldwork and action-oriented teaching courses in the university, I found that some elements from their traditional knowledge practices still exist and borrow a modern form to develop. This paper employs the methodology of narrative enquiry to highlight the importance of these elements. Furthermore, my research indicates that the core spirit of these traditional knowledge practices lies in recognizing ways to help others to grow. The paper is divided into five parts. The first part is an enquiry into the concept of "walking." The second part uses the method of narrative to bring out the complementary relationship between walking and narrative. The third part uses four narratives to illustrate Tayal people's agricultural stories and related reflections. The fourth part engages in a dialogue with Tim Ingold's anthropology of life. Finally, an ecological interpretation of care is provided as a correspondence to Ingold's thought.
Translated title of the contribution | My Walking in the Tayal Agro-Ecological Narratives: Corresponding with Tim Ingold |
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Original language | Chinese (Traditional) |
Pages (from-to) | 9-55 |
Number of pages | 47 |
Journal | Taiwan Journal of Anthropology |
Volume | 19 |
Issue number | 2 |
Publication status | Published - Dec 1 2021 |
Keywords
- Tim Ingold
- traditional ecological knowledge
- agro-ecology
- walking
- narratives
- care