For this post, first read "Ochre" in Victoria Finlay's Color.
Our class has students from a wide variety of majors and disciplines: Liberal Studies, Criminal Justice, Philosophy, Business Administration, Nursing, Biology, Physical Education and Kinesiology, Psychology, Religious Studies, Communications, and Child, Adolescent, and Family Studies. Each major and discipline is a way of seeing and understanding the world.
Choose two majors/disciplines from this list, and explain what parts of the chapter on "Ochre" a student of this field would find most interesting.
Guadalupe Munoz
ReplyDeleteI believe liberal study majors would enjoy reading the section When The Colors Were Taken Away in the chapter "Ochre". I choose liberal studies major for this section of the chapter because it also talks about a teacher and how he makes changes in his life as well as educate children differently. Bardon observed children and realized that children on their own had their own creative side so he let them draw their own designs and this allowed them to be creative little designers. I think this is important to teachers now as well because often times teachers simply go by structure rather than let students explore and get creative.
I have not taken any philosophy class so I could be wrong and just under experienced however, I think perhaps philosophy majors would find the section Ochre Incest Taboos interesting in the chapter "Ochre" because it discusses fundamental knowledge in regards the running’s of the islands. It discusses how the Tiwi White House people liked to keep themselves separate. In addition, as a council they would come to make decisions and vote. I can also see business administration majors enjoying this section of the chapter.
Psychology majors would find when the colors were taken in “Ochre” interesting. Particularly the events in Geoffrey Bardon’s life which lead up to his nervous breakdown and hospital admission. This is because in the field of psychology mental health is heavily studied aspect. They would examine the external factors that caused a decline in his health and would compose the possible treatments Bardon might have received. Psychology majors are intrigued in observing others’ lives and aiding in mental health improvement.
ReplyDeleteChild, Adolescent, and family studies majors would also find the passage when the colors were taken in “Ochre” interesting. This is because Geoffrey Bardon similarly to those in the majors was dedicated to helping the children. Child, Adolescent, and family studies majors understand the importance in having a mentor especially during difficult situations. Bardon in this situation could be considered a mentor. As he evoked creativity in the children to paint their own designs. It is important because a single optimistic person can generate resilience in children.
Communication majors would find the “Trading Ochre” part of the Ochre chapter most interesting. Trading Ochre, as explained in the text, was “a way of articulating social networks”. Bartering for Ochre most likely involved and supported concepts of communication theories, such as Social Exchange Theory. Social Exchange Theory discusses the concept of reciprocity, exchanging things with others for mutual benefit.
ReplyDeleteChild, Adolescent, and Family Studies majors would most likely find the section “Ochre Incest Taboos” most interesting simply because of the dynamics involved within the Tiwi people’s community in order to prevent intermarriage. The social organization of the Island is particularly interesting in which there are no mixed schools and brother and sisters cannot look or speak to each other.
Alyssa Obordo
ReplyDeleteThe most interesting for nursing majors is the part where the chapter talks about "a great deal of misery--alcoholism," "Ganja, petrol-sniffing," and how the aboriginal's new diet of wheat and sugar, introduced by the missionaries, moved them towards diabetes and dialysis because, as nurses, if there's a health crises going on in a community, especially the poor communities who cannot get Medical assistance, it is one of our moral duties to reach out to those desolate communities and help uplift them through patient education (such as diet and exercise recommendations, signs and symptoms of certain disease processes that they're prone to, and what signs and symptoms to look for when taking certain medications so they know when to seek medical intervention in time).
I believe the most interesting part for Physical Education and Kinesiology majors is the part where the chapter talks about how the aboriginal's new diet of wheat and sugar, introduced by the missionaries, moved them towards diabetes and dialysis because they can use their knowledge of physical education about the body to help educate the aboriginals an exercise plan to help manage or prevent diabetes and dialysis.
Liberal study majors would enjoy the chapter "Ochre" because of the fact that it mentions an art teacher named Geoffrey Bardon. It mentions that he was full of ideals and had the desire to challenge the system. This section of the reading shows to mention positive things about him as he was always willing to teach the students as much as he could. Bardon's lessons showed progression as students started to improve and draw better drawings. Some liberal study majors, especially art teachers, would probably be able to connect and relate to Bardon's skills. Perhaps, this may be a motivation to improve their teaching.
ReplyDeleteFamily studies and Child adolescent majors would find a section interesting when it mentions the preventing of intermarriage, or the segregation of students. Unfortunately, mixed schools were not allowed. In addition, brothers and sisters were prohibited from having contact. These majors would find this interesting in examining ways that these cases can be handled. In fact, psychology may also takes place because this may lead to children being mentally affected.
I believe psychology majors would find this whole chapter as being interesting. I think a psychology major would love to pick the brain of some of the aboriginals.i think they would find the the tiwi island people as very interesting. im sure they would like to study how not having sibling interaction and having a sort of predetermined marriage effects them psychologically. i also think they would like to study the women in general in how being withheld from cultural traditions makes them fell and also how it effects them. Another thing i believe psychology majors would like to learn about is how they feel to colonization of their land and how it affected them.how it effected their outlook on their land and how they portray that in their art.
ReplyDeleteI also believe religious studies major would love to learn about their beliefs even though that might be a challenge. I think they would like to dive deeper into this whole dreaming ideal. I believe they found the part about the creation of the land very interesting and how it compares to other cultures beliefs. Also, they would find how the secrecy of their sacred is something that is quite interesting. From my knowledge most religions are told to be spread throughout the land but these people want the opposite of that and want to hold it in secrecy for their people. Another thing i think they would have questions about is the objects and colors they hold sacred.
Business administration majors would find the section called “Trading Ochre” interesting because it describes in detail the business development process. The description of using the trading posts as a form of creating social relationships relates well to the concept of creating professional connections in business. Creating relationships with people who will hopefully support your business and help it succeed is one of the fundamental ideas of business relations. The part where the relations are described as “mostly peaceful” is significant because it shows an understanding that business isn’t always made up of good relations, but also bad relations. The bad relations escalate when unknown business (or white farmers) threaten your business.
ReplyDeleteThe section titled “Trading Ochre” also has a section on dreaming that I think would relate well with psychology majors because of the way the author describes dreams to be “raunchy” and “epic stories.” psychologist who study the dynamic of dreaming and dream meanings would find this interesting. The author is describing how dreams are used as maps and reminders of social rules.
In my opinion, the "Trading Ochre" section of the chapter would catch the interest of the business administration major. These tribes and people groups would come together to trade their main specialized products for other resources and Ochre was a valued commodity in their culture. The Europeans even tried to give the Aboriginals a substitute cheaper quality Ochre, and they still refused because the value was in the purity and quality of the product. Being a psychology major, what I found most intriguing was the fact that, since birth the aboriginals were allocated into four moieties (groups) and depending on which moiety you were born into, you could only marry another specific type of moiety. I wonder what type of psychological effects that has on the people from each group, because two of the groups are considered strong and two are weak. That must have had an impact on the people. Also, if hierarchy plays a role into that, what type of effect would that have on their self esteem and overall psychological state.
ReplyDeleteI feel as though a student in the major Physical Education and Kinesiology would find the section "Darwin" to be interesting just because of the fact that he got up early in the morning just to go for a walk. On his journey around the place,hestarts noticing different people and different places. He was so busy noticing all the different sights that he walked miles and seemed to get lost and lose track of time.
ReplyDeleteAnother section that would be interesting for a student in Business Administration, is "Trading Ochre" because of all the mini business adventures going on at one time. Trading is a very important business and has been around even before Slavery. In the chapter it expresses how people really valued networking but inherited a peaceful way, which is very important to a business major. You can never have too many connections, or not too many people.
A very interesting part that Nursing majors may like is on Pg. 26. The first white settlers in North America called the indigenous people “Red Indians” because they painted themselves with ochre. Nursing majors would find it interesting because many indigenous people believed that by painting themselves with ochre, it would protect them from the cold in the winter. I believe it’s interesting because it involves the issue of health. It would seem obvious to me that painting ochre on your body would not protect you from the cold. Ochre could have been exchanged with many other indigenous people as a source of medicine. It’s also interesting to study how indigenous people measured if one’s health was better off due to the application of the ochre.
ReplyDeleteBusiness and administration and communications would find the trading of ochre interesting. Groups created a market like those that we have today where people come together to trade for other valuables. To many groups, it may have not seem like business and administration but rather more of a simple trade. Trading goods also brought great communication with other groups. Many groups wanted to trade because it allowed for possession of tools that were not available to them. Therefore, trading allowed many groups to settle peace treaties and it allowed for rivalries to be resolved.
Communication majors would find the section on Trading Ochre useful because it does mention values and being able to communicate with others. It shows how important it is to be able to communicate with other trading groups and being able to work out any issues or problems that might occur because you want to keep business at peace. communication plays an important rule to keep that from happening.
ReplyDeleteAlso, i believe that physical education majors would find it interesting how all missionaries developed a new diet on just wheat and sugars.
Being on a diet with sugars and wheat had an impact on them because their was an issue with diabetes. With physical education they can develop many exercise routines that will help them better themselves .
After reading the chapter, “Orche”, I believe that criminal justice majors will find issues that a community has interesting in the section, “Ochre incest taboos”. I believe criminal justice majors will find this section interesting because it mentions how islanders have to deal with problems that they have dealing with alcohol. As criminal justice majors, alcohol is a huge deal because due to this beverage people cause and/or are injured due to their own actions or other’s actions.
ReplyDeleteReading further into the same section, “Ochre incest taboos”, I believe that communication majors will also find it interesting. In this section, it mentions how the community developed a strong enough bond among each other to be in an agreement within the rules they made. For example, they had strict laws upon intermarriage being unacceptable, which most islanders agreed to. Furthermore, this grabs the communication majors’ attention due to public relations and politics that were developed.
A person majoring in Liberal Studies would find the beginning of the chapter Ochre interesting. This is because there's a section that talks about the author finding the piece of Ochre and at first thinking "it doesn't belong" only to pick it up and find that it's a piece of ancient ochre. This would catch their attention because it can be seen as a diamond in the rough situation. The same could be said about children in a learning environment. Many teachers give up on children who are troublemakers, have learning disabilities, or are of seemingly below average intelligence. These children can come to be great things if enough interest and attention is thrown their way.
ReplyDeleteSomeone majoring in business may possibly find the section titled "Darwin". This section talks about a place in Australia that is abundant in Ochre. People may rethink their plans on where they want to set up their business to a place that is rich with resources that are essential to their business. If for some reason that had never occurred to them, they'd be able to reshape their strategy in a way that benefits them financially.
I believe that someone majoring in Psychology would find the section "Sydney" most interesting. I believe this because it was a very psychological story. The woman in the story was describing a sheet of paper on a table as a banker over paintings. I can't figure out what it means but i think that someone with a Psychology major would find it interesting because it's meaning is hard to figure out.
ReplyDeleteI also believe that someone with a Liberal Studies major would find "Color" most interesting because it talks about the different colors and textures of the sea and beach of Australia. It talked about how you can mix colors together, feel different textures of pebbles and what not. When Winchester would talk about the different paints of colors, he was talking about the different colors of the scenery. He said that we wouldn't have thought to drive that far to retrieve all of these colors. Liberal Studies majors I believe like things in color, mixing colors, beautiful scenery, and different textures because they are wanting to teach children and children are very colorful.
In Victoria Finlay, "Color," she talkes about "Trading Ochre." This section is perfect for Business Administration majors. It discusses an economy of training Ochre, supply and demand, customer satisfaction, and other business planning. The economy aspect is when Finlay gives examples of how much an Ochre is worth in different markets; like trading for it for tools and weapons. It also talks about networking and maintain customer satisfaction with their social networks. One of the most interesting aspects she brought up was the business decision of moving the mine that failed. A business major could analyze why this transfer was not successful.
ReplyDeleteThroughout the chapter, Finlay takes about the secrets behind the Ochre and the societies behind all the secrets. This could be very interesting for a Religious Studies major. They could try to learn more about these secret societies and further look into the importance of the Ochre in these societies religious backgrounds. Cave paintings, face painting, and the stories of the Tiwi stories are all different examples of what a religious studies major would be interested in.
Though I am not 100% sure, I think the "Ochre Incest Taboos" section would particularly interest Philosophy majors just because this section of Ochre has so many interesting facts about this society that are unique to their society. The way that this society sees the world is very different than the way western society sees it. The portion in this section where it discusses brothers and sisters not being allowed to look at each other nor speak to each other is extremely unusual and the later traditions discussed seem to be truly unique to these 1,400 people. It may seem strange to us but somehow this group managed to make it work.
ReplyDeleteThe "Alice Springs" section I think could be interesting to a Child, Adolescent, and Family Studies major. I think that the first few pages in particular would be interesting to write about because Finlay tells a story of a missionary's son who was exposed to rituals that included drawing blood. Because I was interested in this portion of the story I read into this Theodor Strehlow character and found that he became an anthropologist. It may be interesting for psychology majors to see how his life experiences, witnessing what he witnessed and being exposed to this tribe life, led to him becoming an anthropologist particularly interested in the Arrernte people
As I read "Ochre" I found that in the very beginning there was a part that I feel would most definitely interest psychology majors. When reading about the Red Indians painting themselves red to protect themselves against evil, cold winters and insects, it brought to my attention that a lot of the protection had to be a mental shield in a way. Perhaps the Indians felt most powerful painted in red and therefore, they felt that nothing could harm them, I believe that a psychology major would perhaps find this section interesting. They could possibly have an insight on as to what kind of mentality and strategy the Indians had when painting themselves.
ReplyDeleteIn "Alice Springs" I believe that either a history major or religious studies major would find this section most interesting. What Strehlow had seen that was done for the blood ritual may seem unordinary to some but to the people, this was apart of their life. I feel as if history and religious studies majors may have already learned and or read similar rituals or ceremonies done by other tribes. The men from the tribe even went so far as to keeping the bloodstained smell away from their wives, which taking a world history class I know many men did keep different rituals from their wives. I guess I could say even some liberal studies majors could find this story interesting because we have either taken or will take many history classes that open up our eyes to the differences in cultures such as this one.
I believe that someone majoring in religious studies would enjoy the section of ochre incest taboo and the edges of Arhemland in “Ochre”. In these sections, they talk about how the people of Tiwi dealt with death and their religious practices associated with it. The way that they painted around the car with white paint and buried the dead person’s belongings showed the Tiwi peoples death rituals that are different than other cultures.
ReplyDeleteChild, Adolescent, and Family Studies would enjoy reading the section of when the colors were taken away. In this section, you read about Bardon a teacher that encouraged and provided guidance to the children to be creative. With his help, the children and even the elders were influenced and created paintings of their “Dreaming”.
I believe the Liberal Studies majors would enjoy reading the “Trading Ochre” section of the Ochre chapter most interesting. It talks about how G. Bardon observed children to use ochre for painting rituals designs, and the Kaura red wasn’t good enough or sacred enough. As teachers, we want our children to grow independently and use their creativity. However, we should have some sort of structure so they know what’s expected.
ReplyDeleteI feel as if Child, Adolescent, and Family Studies major would like reading the “Ochre incest taboos” section in this book because it gives how the forces at work of Tiwi people’s community to stop intermarriage. It is forbidden for mixed race schools, relatives to be around or talk to each other. They mention how children look for mentors and that’s where this major can help these children not feel unwanted and believe in their dreams. These majors can learn a lot from these stories/ experiences.
I think Religious Studies majors would find the chapter on “Ochre” particularly interesting. The use of ochre as paint by the Aborigine people goes back forty thousand years and is tied inextricably with their religious traditions. Beginning in the first section, when Victoria Finlay decides to go to Australia to learn about ochre, she is warned that “Red is Men’s Business. Be careful.” (page 32 in eBook) Throughout the chapter we learn how red is used in many secret religious ceremonies and these ceremonies include only men. In her travels in Australia, learning about ochre, she is told of a male guest at a ceremony who did not remove the red ochre paint from his skin before joining the women after the ceremony and the guest was killed for this transgression. Many of the religious traditions and ceremonies are secret and in learning about ochre, Finlay was able to learn about some of these traditions and this, in turn, will help the Religious Studies major also understand more about the Aborigine’s religious traditions.
ReplyDeleteCommunications majors can also find parts of particular interest in Finlay’s chapter on “Ochre.” The section on “Trading Ochre” gives an explanation of the trading traditions of the Aboriginals. Understanding this history along with the ochre wars and the ochre massacre will help majors in this field to see the impact of these histories on multicultural communication. Another section related to multicultural communication and public relations is the section on “When the Colors Were Taken Away.” This section deals with an idealist educator named Geoffrey Bardon who was instrumental in starting the Central Desert Painting movement. Bardon was unaware of the complexities and dangers involved in helping the Aboriginals develop a commercial market for their paintings and this led to tragic results. The insight gained from this case serves as a cautionary tale for those involved in the delicate balance needed in communication and relations between vastly different cultures.
Heriberto Pina
ReplyDeleteI believe that Business Administration majors would enjoy reading the section called “Trading Ochre.” It’s an interesting topic because it describes the foundation and the importance of business. I believe that in the business world it’s all about networking and the people you know. Creating relationships with people who may help you land your first job.
I also believe that Kinesiology majors would enjoy the section where it talks about aboriginals diet of wheat and sugar. First of all, I think they would find the passage interesting and because they can use what they have learned throughout their education to make a difference.
Madison Alaine Tingey
ReplyDeleteStudents from the disciplines of Religious Studies and Child, Adolescent, and Family Studies will be interested in the section "Ochre Incest Taboos" from the chapter "Ochre" in Victoria Finlay's Color. In this section, Finlay describes her excursion to the Tiwi Islands (39). The part in this chapter that would capture the attention of a Child, Adolescent, and Family Studies major is the discussion about preventing incest between brothers and sisters (40). Finlay explains that brothers and sisters “cannot even look at each other, let alone speak” (40). I imagine not being able to see or speak to siblings has interesting effects on how families communicate. I wonder what the living arrangements on the Tiwi Islands are like. In the same section, Finlay describes the “Tiwi Dreamtime story,” and the relationship it has with paint and marriage (40). This is an aspect that a Religious Studies major, such as myself, would find intriguing. This “Dreamtime story” is a myth, or sacred story. Myths are an important part in the study of religion. Religious Studies majors often study myths and observe how they impact culture.
Business Administration majors would find interest in reading the "Trading Ochre" section. This section discusses a great deal about trading and networking, how neighbors would come together in exchange for an axe, a spear, or essentials. Some of which the business world relies on is customer relations and communication. In one instance, a business decision took place to move ochre from a mine to a Lake. However, they were unsuccessful. If a business decision were to be unsuccessful in the business world, decision makers could possibly look at reshaping the "idea" to be more constructive and successful. Business Administrations major would definitely learn from the experiences throughout this section.
ReplyDeleteI believe Liberal Studies majors would find reading "When the Colors Were Taken Away" section interesting because it mentions how a teacher, Geoffrey Bardon, influences himself as well as his students. For Bardon, it was a matter of challenging the system while being outnumbered. As for the students, Bardon began observing them and how they would draw designs with sticks in the sand so it was allowing them to be creative on their own. I think it's important on how teachers take the initiative on creativity, especially on a young child.
I believe that philosophy majors would be interested in the ‘Ochre Incest Taboos’ section. This section talks about the Tiwi Islands where people seem to be living ideal lives of islanders, though their values and culture are much more intense. They prohibit brothers and sisters from making eye contact as they believe, it will prevent intermarriage. Another unique aspect of their culture is the mourning of death of a closely related family member for a month to the extreme level that they do not lift a finger during this time of despair, not even to eat. The philosophical aspect of their culture is perhaps what will stand out to the philosophy majors.
ReplyDeletePsychology majors would perhaps like reading the section ‘When the colors were taken away’ because this section focuses on the life of Bardon, Finlay’s friend, who had become from being as Finlay mentioned “a man full of ideas and ideals” to a hopeless, depressed and sick man admitted in the hospital. As the name of the section suggests, all colors of joy and excitement were drained out from the art/social studies teacher who went to Papunya. He was heartbroken because people had lost faith in him and this impacted him in such a negative way that he could never revive from this ultimate state of despair.
From the chapter “Ochre” section “Sydney ” I thought that a student majoring in Psychology would be interested. In the section “Sydney” talks about critical thinking but in a way it will not only apply for students majoring in psychology because in every major critical thinking plays an important role. The line that called more my attention was, “ you lift the paper, and it's all underneath… Many paintings are like the blanket .. we don't understand the full extent of the meanings, but we know that they mean country”, (Finlay, 28). In the quote it says that not everything is clear that we have to interpret what it is try to say, such as in psychology. Psychology is the scientific study of human mind and its functions. If a psychologist sees that something is wrong in a person then they find out what is bothering them and has to get to the bottom of the problem.
ReplyDeleteIn the section “Trading Ochre” I got the feeling that a person majoring in business would enjoy this section. In this section the author talks about trading, even though there is no money being involved it is consider business. A person could have an item and trade it with someone else to get something else and they could continue trading till they get what they want. In this section they talk about how a person could trade a boomerang for a spear or an axe for a grinding stone. Back in the old days money didn’t exist and the only way to survive is by trading, some one would grow certain type of crops and would trade with someone else.