i spent a good part of my day today looking at these pictures of canada's aborigines and reading up some of these links.
native american history and cultures have always been one of my several pet subjects since childhood, no doubt largely influenced by those old western telly programmes.
it is a real shame that for what is a once proud race of people whose way of life is still connected to nature, they are now reduced to live in reservations, some of which have casinos so that income could be derived to support the community. what was surely an utter insult, for a good part of the late 19th century, they must sought the government's permission before they could leave their reservations.
it is sad to hear that they have one of the highest suicide rates in the blue marble; and that poverty, gambling - see the casino bit - and alcoholism are rife. but there are of course success stories i'm sure, but these are hardly reported. nor hardly available on the internet.
one thing that both perplexes and frustrates me is that there aren't any proper or in-depth studies done on east malaysia's aborigines. some of whose practices are very similar to their american counterparts. like, the longhouses, the beadwork, the basketry, the medicine men, the ceremonial dances, the headdresses [made of black and white feathers of the hornbill] and others which i have yet discovered. apart from their shared ancestry.
perhaps i should make a trip to sabah and sarawak sometime. simply to satisfy my curiosity and enrich my knowledge.
heh, maybe i could always ask one of my long-time fan's/friend's, c to be my guide. eh c? boleh tak? :D
as enscribed by the letter b @ April 2, 2005 10:01 AM