Singing the Turtles to Sea
Subtitle: The Comcáac (Seri) Art and Science of Reptiles
Edition: 1 edition
Publisher: University of California Press
Published: June 26, 2003
Language: eng
Format: Hardcover
Number of pages: 350
ISBN-13: 9780520217317
Subjects: Conservation of the environment; Ethnography; Reptiles; Seri Indians; Life Sciences - Zoology - Mammals; Ethnozoology; Science; Environmental Studies; Nature/Ecology; Mexico; Environmental Science; Ethnic Studies - Native American Studies; Folklore & Mythology - Folklore; Nature / General; Sonora (State); Folklore
First sentence: Both species and languages have evolved over hundreds or thousands of years to adapt to very specific environmental and sociopolitical contexts.
Description: "The Comcaac, or Seri Indians, live in the starkly beautiful and biologically rich desert of Sonora, Mexico. Reptiles of all kinds - lizards, crocodiles, snakes, and turtles - play a large role in their culture. Unfortunately, the long-term survival of the Comcaac and the future of many of these animals are uncertain. This book describes and preserves the richness of Comcaac knowledge about reptiles. Through stories, songs, photographs, illustrations of Comcaac arts, and discussions of Sonoran ecology, Nabhan demonstrates the irreplaceable value of this knowledge for us today." "This ethnobiology contains information on the origins, biogeography and conservation status of the marine and desert reptiles of the region and links the importance of preserving ecological diversity with issues such as endangered languages and human rights. Singing the Turtles to Sea ultimately points the way toward a more hopeful future for the native cultures and animals of the Sonoran Desert and for the preservation of indigenous cultures and species around the world."--Jacket.