Part of the Animal : Aspects of the Relation between Animals and the Kaska, a Canadian First Nation(<Special Theme>Ethnography of Nature and Society: Continuity between Animal and Man)

Abstract

In recent years, lively debates have been conducted in cultural anthropology on moving beyond Western dualism. Philippe Descola, for example, classified the relationship between nature and humans into four modes in terms of inner and outer continuity, and defined the mode that gains dominance in areas where people are gathered as a social ontology. Acknowledging such an ontology that differs from the West makes it possible to analyze society from different aspects. This paper draws upon those discussions and aims to examine the continuity of animals and humans in the ethnography of North American indigenous people Kaska in particular-who have maintained a closer-knit relationship with animals than most hunter-gatherers. Specifically, first of all, by classifying their knowledge and skills about animals, norm and species, the paper reveals that the Kaska perceive animals as targets with which negotiation is possible, while making use of ecological understanding. In addition, the fact that the presence or absence of rituals depends on whether the animal can be eaten or not suggests that the continuity with the animals-an aim of the rituals-is not necessarily required for all species. The Kaska lead their lives while planning and adjusting their distance from the animals depending on the situation. For example, while it is desirable to be close to the animals during hunting, an excessive degree of closeness in daily life evokes fears of assimilation. Furthermore, an analysis of items such as social relationships among animals that include the Kaska, stories and medicine animals reveals that relationships vary based on the denominations of species or kinship groups and individuals. Among those, the relationship between an individual and animals is the most basic social unit. In cultural terms also, the highest value is placed on maintaining that relationship, and attention is paid to it. Humans can be considered part of a world that is interwoven with animals, a kind of continuity that cannot be divided into modes.