kara walling blog 14

assigned class book or journal:Thomas Cooper "A time before deception"

Cooper's book talks communication and ethics amongst Native Americans. He actually lived among several Native nations in Canada, which is taking a anthropologist standpoint, but his main focus was still on traditions and how those traditions were communicated. Being part of the living space in these areas, it allowed him to have access to their sacred spaces and sense of trust. This made me think back to traditions in general. Tribes would use their art, prayer, and music to communicate to the gods. A more recent example makes me think of the drum circle. Because we live in modern day society, it is hard for people to take a step back and relax their bodies and let them be taken over by sound and nature. This creates a harmony within the group. Nobody needs to say a word, but communicates through rhythmic motions. I feel like living amongst a different culture can be hard at times, but it shows you a entirely new way of thinking and view of the world that surrounds us.