(Ch. 8 + 9) Tales of a Shaman’s Apprentice

Chapter 8: The Semen of the Sun

Chapter 8: The Semen of the Sun

Yanomamo Indians – border of Brazil and Venezuela, live in the lowlands, constant warfare.

What name do the Yanomamo give to their hallucinogenic snuff?

ebene

What is the act of snuffing?

"snuff" or "yopo," when seeds are ground into powder, then blowing it into the nostrils using a hollow tube/inhalation.

effects from dosage: visions in spiritual ceremonies, healing rituals,

What is the strict naming taboo of the Yanomamo?

onomastic taboo: deceased individuals must never be spoken again, must not alter thier spirits

What is the name of the plant eaten by the Yanomamo which produces more carbohydrates and protein per acre than corn?

peach palm in English.

What is “incipient domestication”?

early stages of the process through which wild plants or animals begin to be selectively bred or managed by humans - eg. food production (by Indians for their medicinal or practical benefits.)

What does Mark Plotkin mean by “So much of science is serendipity”? (page 259)

meaning scientific discoveries are created by chance/accident rather than planned.

The staple crop of the Yanomamo is _________ instead of manioc (cassava).

bananas

Why is it ironic that we might find cures for our most insidious diseases among the rainforest tribes of South America? (page 270)

due to limits in technology, cultural prejudice, environmental destruction.,

Chapter 9 : Return to Kwamala

Chapter 9 : Return to Kwamala

Mark returns to the Tirios tribe in Suriname 3 years later.

What does Mark mean when he says that “ethnobotany takes a holistic approach to conservation?

relating to the interconnectedness of plants, people, and their environment when working to protect biodiversity and maintaining the delicate balance of ecosystems and the cultural heritage of indigenous communities.

How did the chief respond to Mark’s 200-page manuscript on medicinal plants of their tribe?

very positively, lively, and thankful

Who is Lisa Conte?

biotechnology entrepreneur, founder of Shaman Pharmaceuticals, discovered new drugs based on plant knowledge.