Wandering with anthropologists

The Wayfinders: Why Ancient Wisdom Matters in the Modern World

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Houlang·Owl Book Series——270 degrees to see the world (90 degrees for yourself)——
Five introductory lessons from renowned Canadian anthropologist Wade Davis: Breaking free from information cocoons, transcending the shackles of monoculture and monolithic aesthetics, and seeing the real and concrete "others" on the "margins" of the world.
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Editor's Recommendation:
For those who see with their eyes and feel with their hearts,
The world still retains a rich and complex spiritual landscape.
✱ The arrows of the San hunters in the Kalahari Desert still carry ancient metaphors.
✱ Polynesian sailors are still searching for the islands of their dreams,
✱ The Amazonian shamans are still wandering outside the Milky Way,
✱ The myths of the Inuit elders still resonate with their meaning.
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"A rare combination of scientist, scholar, poet and passionate defender of biodiversity"
——Wade Davis’s five anthropology enlightenment lessons: seeing the real and concrete “others” on the “margins” of the world
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Five in-depth and accessible anthropology lessons from a national treasure of Canada: A painless introduction to profound topics and a direct understanding of the term "culture." This book is based on the transcript of the Massey Citizen Lectures delivered by highly acclaimed Canadian anthropologist Wade Davis at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. The language is approachable and not obscure. Without dry, abstract theories, this book guides readers through rich, concrete examples to learn about the anthropological perspective of "others."
√ Why were Polynesians able to navigate the Pacific Ocean without a compass?
√ Why do the "Anaconda Tribe" of South America believe that if they hunt prey without permission, they will be killed by the guardian spirits?
Why do the Inuit believe that if you are the owner of a dog, you are the owner of life?
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“The word ‘culture’ has a profound meaning, and perhaps the closest explanation is this: we recognize that each people is a unique and ever-changing constellation, as we observe and study language, religion, social and economic organization, decorative arts, stories, myths, rituals, beliefs, and the many qualities and characteristics that arise from their environment…” (p. 35)
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Discovering a Wider World on the "Fringes" of the World: This book takes readers on a journey into the worlds of indigenous peoples in the Americas, Oceania, Asia, and Africa. From creation myths to traditional beliefs, from customs to cultural philosophies, the author vividly depicts the diversity of human civilization, allowing us to transcend single-minded thinking and learn to appreciate the unique beauty of different cultures.
When we become accustomed to a lifestyle we take for granted, this book reminds us that there is more to the world than just one narrative; there are countless ways to live. Following the footsteps of anthropologists and experiencing the wisdom of different cultures may loosen your fixed notions, open new windows to your thinking, and bring unexpected inspiration and change.
"There are countless cultures in the world. These cultures are not failures that stumbled on the road to modernization, nor are they things we cannot imitate. Each culture is a unique expression of the human imagination and heart, a unique answer to a fundamental question: What is the meaning of life? The world's cultures have responded to this question with 7,000 voices, together forming a human repertoire that will enable us to face the future challenges of our species together for the next 2,500 generations, and even as we embark on this endless journey." (P20)
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Escape from the hectic realities of reality and alleviate anxiety and insularity. In our hyper-homogeneous modern society, we often find ourselves trapped in anxiety and self-imposed limitations. Reading this book is like embarking on a spiritual journey, briefly escaping our fixed cognitive frameworks. Standing higher up in the world, we gain a glimpse into the broader human experience and achieve a sense of tranquility that transcends individual worries.
"In the West, time is like gold: you save it, you lose it, you waste it, and you never have enough. In Balasana, there is no word for 'time'." (P83)
"…it is the very nature of ice—the way it shifts, recedes, melts, and reforms with the seasons—that makes the hearts and souls of the Inuit so fluid. She explains: "They have no illusions about permanence, no time for regret, and despair is a sin against imagination. Their grocery store is on the ground in the wilderness, so their emotions are more abundant than those of city dwellers. They deal with death every day. To survive, they must kill what they love most. Blood on the ice is not a sign of death, but an affirmation of life. Eating meat becomes a sacramental act." (p. 213)
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This highly acclaimed book has been surprisingly reprinted: the translation has been completely revised, and the book has been completely redesigned. Previously published as The Pathfinder of Life, this book garnered a loyal readership. For this reprint, the editors have thoroughly revised the original translation, rechecking and standardizing names of people, tribes, places, and other proper nouns throughout the book. They have also corrected some translation errors and incoherent sentences from the previous edition, improving clarity and fluency, and hoping to provide readers with a better reading experience.
It adopts a new format and "Owl Book Series" binding design: short dust jacket + inner cover without lashing, the overall look is refreshing and neat; kraft paper dust jacket + textured earth paper inner cover, it feels like an anthropological field survey notebook in the hand; the grass green with a large ink background and sandy color symbolize the jungle and wilderness, as well as the solid earth under our feet.
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◎ Houlang’s new book series: The Owl Book Series expands the boundaries of imagination through words and stories, allowing you to see the vast world like an owl.
Series Introduction: These engaging and enlightening books are designed specifically for young readers. Through unconventional methods like stories, dialogues, and games, they introduce readers to new disciplines (including the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, including philosophy, anthropology, sociology, history, law, physics, biology, and more). These books are not didactic, theoretical, or abstract; they focus on demonstrating the research and possibilities of each discipline, rather than being bound by methodology. They prioritize fun and allow readers to appreciate the joy of the disciplines. They help readers break free from their limited thinking and open their eyes to the world.
The name of the series means: Owls are considered a symbol of wisdom and intelligence in many civilizations and mythologies around the world. In addition to the familiar "Owl of Minerva" (the owl is a symbol of the goddess of wisdom Minerva/Athena), other examples include:
In Egyptian culture, owls were considered protectors against evil and guides for the soul into the afterlife.
In Native American and Japanese folklore, owls are considered messengers between realms and bringers of good luck.
In Mayan culture, the owl was associated with transformation and rebirth…
We wanted to use the owl—a guide and barrier-breaker—to represent our book series. (Fun fact: an owl's head can rotate 270 degrees, allowing it to see the world from all angles! The remaining 90 degrees is a blind spot, hidden from direct observation, reserved for self-insight.)
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Media Recommendation:
Compelling, emotionally powerful, and thought-provoking.
—Montreal Gazette
Davis writes with power and emotion.
——Quill & Page magazine Davis uses solid foundation to dispel the idea that rationalism, which has been believed by Westerners since the Enlightenment, is the only or even the best model for mankind.
—Walrus magazine Davis makes a powerful and clear argument for the contemporary value of ancient cultures, particularly for what we might learn from them about how human societies can live sustainably on Earth.
This year's Massey Civic Lectures from Canadian Geographic offers a refreshing perspective on how studying ancient wisdom and local culture can help us find our own path. This book is well worth reading.
——Canada's National Post
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Awards:
2009 Canadian Writers' Trust Awards Nonfiction Shortlist
2010 UK Orion Book Award Shortlist 📖
Introduction:
Every culture has a unique answer to the question of the meaning of life. In "Following an Anthropologist: Exploring "Marginal" Civilizations," the author takes us on a journey to the "margins" of the world, revealing a wealth of diverse wisdom.
In Polynesia, we sailed with navigators whose ancestors settled in the Pacific as early as the 10th century BC; in the jungles of South America, we met the descendants of a lost civilization; in Australia, we tried to understand the subtle philosophy of the local aborigines, who were the first humans to leave Africa; in Nepal, we unexpectedly met a wise man who had lived in seclusion for 45 years; finally, we came to Kalimantan and saw the "last rainforest hunting people" in Southeast Asia fighting for a chance to survive for their traditional life.
Understanding what this spiritual journey unearths will be our task in the 21st century. The central challenge of our time is how to rediscover our appreciation for the diversity of the human spirit as expressed through culture. Otherwise, our world risks becoming further homogenized, bland and monotonous.

2025-02-01

四川人民出版社

Houlang, Houlang Literature

236

9787220138706