death in maleysiya

There are three different approaches to the study of the shifting cultivation--




ecological/environmental approaches, cultural-historical approach, and economic




approach (Dhakal 2000).




The ecological approach of shifting cultivation is based on the facts that it exists in a




state of balance with the natural environment (Found 1987:13 as cited in Dhakal




2000). Some areas of Southeast Asia have experienced shifting cultivation as




productive, practical and adaptive to the physical environment (Spencer 1966: 20 as




cited in Dhakal 2000). Many studies with this approach (e.g. Found 1987, Keesing




and Strathern 1998, Spencer 1966 as quoted in Dhakal 2000)) have pointed out both




negative and positive consequences with regard to the production in relation to labor




input, land requirement and, its impact on the ecology.




It is also possible to explain the current extent and location of slash and burn




agriculture through analysis of local (who practice shifting cultivation) people’s




culture and history. Such people who have a long experience of the cultivation will




have appropriate tools, the organization and the knowledge needed to operate it




effectively over the long periods (Grandstaff 1981:28 as cited in Dhakal 2000). In




cultural-historical approach of shifting cultivation anthropologists point out that




shifting cultivators use primitive tools. And that they belong to their (local people)




cultural practices (Dhakal 2000).




The economic analysis of shifting cultivation can be viewed on both levels: the entire




land economy, or on the individual farmers’ decision level is well documented by




Angelson (Angelson 1996 as cited in Dhakal 2000). “...the study and analysis of the




complex relations in shifting cultivation can profit greatly from a combined




ethnographic and ecological approach...”(Conklin 1961: 28).




The cultural ecological model is a strong theoretical tool to explain the relationship of




i) socio cultural practices of Khoriya Kheti, ii) shifting cultivators' way of life and, iii)




the local peoples’ behaviors that very often shape the social and cultural phenomena




in the community. By definition, cultural ecology is:




In the study of the adjustment or relationship of culture to the natural environment




two distinct orders of phenomena are involved: the features of the environment itself




and the environment are explored including technology and economic organization

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