Anthropology is primary concerned with studying the cultures and lifestyles of different human communities (Moore, 1998). Thanks to anthropology, mankind is able to understand the forces that shape the emergence and transformation of communities. The experts in the field of anthropology usually venture out to obtain insights regarding various elements of communities. For example, dozens of anthropologists have visited communities whose interactions with the outside world have been limited. The purpose of these visits is usually to understand the culture, heritage and the way of life of these communities. In most cases, the anthropologists obtain insights which allow the world to understand that there are certain communities who have remained uncontacted. The field of anthropology has also established ethical guidelines that anthropologists are expected to follow as they conduct research (Moore, 1998). Most anthropologists follow these guidelines faithfully. However, there have been instances where the work of anthropologists causes more harm than good. The various visits that anthropologists made to the land of the Yanomamo community represent the damage that anthropologists can cause to the unique culture and lifestyles of uncontacted communities. In Secrets of the Tribe, light is shed on the various violations that the anthropologists who studied the Yanomamo committed. These violations have shattered my assumptions about anthropology. Thanks to the allegations made in the Secrets of the Tribe, I now understand that exploitation and profiteering are the main forces that drive many anthropologists.
Before taking this class, I had deep respect for anthropology and the experts in this discipline. I assumed that the experts respected the communities with which they engaged. I also thought that the desire to enhance human understanding and to shed light on uncontacted communities is the key driver of anthropology. However, after watching Secrets of the Tribe, these assumptions have been left shattered. In this eye-opening documentary, it is alleged that many anthropologists who studied the Yanomamo community aimed to make profit. After Napoleon Chagnon had shed light on this community, more anthropologists travelled to the Amazon where they also probed the life of the members of this community. Unlike Chagnon who simply wished to learn the ways of this community, the other anthropologists sought to have this community “in their portfolio” (Padilha, 2010). This allegation suggests that anthropologists do not necessarily regard culture as an inviolable aspect of a community that should always be respected. In his book, Chagnon exposes the anthropologists who set out to exploit the Yanomamo. He extends his criticism to outsiders who introduced civilization into this community and contaminated this community with outside influences (Chagnon, 2014). Chagnon’s experiences with the Yanomamo and the damage that the culture of this community’s culture suffered highlight the need for greater effort to conserve uncontacted communities. If they must contact these communities, anthropologists must ensure that they are guided by noble intentions.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
Objectivity is one of the fundamental values that are supposed to guide the work of anthropologists. As they conduct studies, anthropologists are expected to remain unbiased and to view issues with neutrality. The anthropologists who examined the Yanomamo are accused of exhibiting biases. In Secrets of the Tribe, Jose Padilha interviews Chagnon who alleges that the anthropologists presented this community as being pure and flawless. He proceeds to suggest that this characterization is racist (Padilha, 2010). Chagnon echoes this allegation in his book. His response is rather indirect and implied. He describes the Yanomamo as being “fascinating, wild and very difficult to live with” (Chagnon, 2017, 4). Here, Chagnon is clearly attempting to shield himself from accusations of bias and lack of objectivity. His description of this community is based entirely on the observations that he made on the ground. While Chagnon attempts to redeem the integrity of the anthropological community, my faith in this community remains shattered. I find that some members of this community promote narratives that are either false or misleading with the goal of pushing a particular agenda.
As is the case with nearly all other fields, research in anthropology should be guided by objectivity, thorough investigation and intense scrutiny of theory. The Secrets of a Tribe reveals that some members of the anthropological community went against established standards of research. After observing the Yanomamo, Chagnon noted that this community engaged in constant war against its neighbors (Padilha, 2010).. This observation prompted questions from the anthropological community. Many wondered what factors inspired this community to fight its neighbors. One theory that was advanced passionately was that a shortage of resources was responsible for the violent conflicts between the Yanomamo and their neighbors. In the documentary, such anthropologists as Marvin Harris are condemned for insisting that limited resources were the primary motivation for the conflicts (Padilha, 2010).. The allegation that some anthropologists sought to explain the culture and lifestyle of a community without first conducting a study challenged my assumptions about anthropology. Before watching the documentary, I was convinced that anthropologists are cautious and rely on credible insights to inform their conclusions. It appears that Chagnon anticipated that this allegation would be raised. In explaining the source of the violent conflicts among the Yanomamo, Chagnon states that “worse yet, these assumptions appear to be increasingly unsustainable” (Chagnon, 2017, 7). Here, Chagnon is referring to the assumption that since they are savages, the Yanomamo should be a blissful and peace-loving community. While Chagnon’s statement is not a direct response to the allegation raised in the documentary, it points to the need for caution before making conclusions. Chagnon also discusses the pressure that he faced to confirm certain assumptions. For example, he had shared with the anthropological community that there was a shortage of sexually-compatible females among the Yanomamo as a result of the practice of femicide. He laments that he was pressured to confirm that given the shortage of women, homosexuality was rampant in this community (Chagnon, 2014, 240). Chagnon complaints further shattered my faith in anthropologists. I now fear that many anthropologists present insights that are convenient and in line with their biases and perspectives.
Alexander Moore offers an interesting discussion on various elements of anthropology. One of the issues that he explores is the purpose of anthropology. He notes that anthropology is concerned with “the discovery of culture, of human differences that we learn by virtue of membership in our groups” (Moore, 1998, 2). Here, Moore creates the impression that anthropology is an honorable profession that simply seeks to reveal the beauty and richness that communities possess. Before watching Secrets of the Tribe, I shared Moore’s respect for anthropology and experts in this field. I assumed that anthropologists were noble professionals who respected the profession and were committed to advancing it. However, the documentary has changed my assessment of the profession. The documentary reveals that some of the anthropologists who studied the Yanomamo committed serious breaches of ethics and laws. For example, it is mentioned that there is an anthropologist who married a 13-year old girl from the Yanomamo tribe. In the documentary, Chagnon accuses this anthropologist of engaging in pedophilia. In his defense, the anthropologist held that he had simply fallen in love with a “Yanomamo Princess” (Padilha, 2010).. The documentary contains photos of the 13-year old girl. The girl is clearly too young for marriage. This allegation raises questions about whether anthropologists respect the values and principles which define anthropology. Chagnon addresses this allegation indirectly. His discussion suggests that he endorses the decision of the anthropologist to marry the 13-year old girl. He states that “females can be married at very young ages- and even promised in marriage before they are born” (Chagnon 235). In the US and other parts of the world, 13-year old girls are considered children. Therefore, when he married a 13-year old Yanomamo girl, the anthropologists broke ethical guidelines and legal provisions in many jurisdictions.
For any academic discipline to experience progress, it must embrace new ideas and be willing to abandon previously held beliefs. The field of anthropology appears to have a problem with fresh insights that challenge ideas that have been held to be true for many years. This is one of the lessons that I gained after watching Secrets of the Tribe. One of the anthropologists interviewed for the documentary claims that some of his colleagues opposed the publication of findings which challenged their own ideas and beliefs (Padilha, 2010).. This anthropologist adds that when a discovery is found to be too disruptive, other anthropologists may protest and seek to rob the discovery of all credibility and authority. It appears that Chagnon understood that anthropologists would raise this allegation. In the discussion above, the pressure that he faced from some anthropologists to claim that homosexuality was rife among the Yanomamo has been identified. As he discusses this and other forms of pressure, Chagnon acknowledges that there are some forces in anthropology that wish to preserve the status quo and are opposed to new disruptive insights.
In most academic fields, integrity is a highly valued principle. When they present findings, scholars are expected to ensure that the findings are accurate and credible. It is also important for the scholars to invite others to scrutinize their findings to confirm that they are indeed accurate. Initially, I believed that all anthropologists uphold academic integrity. I felt that all members of our profession understand that they cannot expect the anthropological community to accept their findings without scrutiny. The Secrets of the Tribe has shattered this assumption. In the documentary, the anthropologists trade accusations. One alleges that a colleague presented findings and demand that these findings should be accepted without first being scrutinized (Padilha, 2010). The anthropologist’s demands are indeed ridiculous and go against the spirit of transparency. Chagnon offers an impassioned discussion on the need for integrity. He complains about how he was isolated and disowned because of the research that he had carried out (Chagnon, 2014, 424). He identifies individuals who condemned him for presenting insights and positions that compromised their narratives and beliefs. Basically, Chagnon chastises the anthropology community for being unwilling to expose its beliefs to scrutiny. He also complains that some members of this community engage in selective publication where they share details that support their narrative. For example, he shares that “he (Salamone) wanted to restrict the book to my dispute with the Salesians but I insisted on including other groups such as the New Tribes Missions (Chagnon, 2014, 428). I am forced to join Chagnon in challenging the community to embrace the very values that form its foundation. Unless we can accept correction, it is nearly impossible to make any meaningful progress.
Promoting the advancement of mankind is among the chief goals of anthropology. Most members of this discipline work tirelessly to provide mankind with information about a wide range of issues that affect communities. In the past, I was among those who had great faith in anthropology. I believed that its members pursued noble endeavors and used acceptable techniques. However, the Secrets of the Tribe has forced me to abandon this belief. Thanks to this documentary, I have learnt that some anthropologists exploited and abused members of the Yanomamo community. For example, it is claimed that an anthropologist offered some members of this community such items as guns in exchange for sexual favors (Padilha, 2010). If true, the actions of this anthropologist are indeed disgusting and despicable. Chagnon suggests that there is some truth to this allegation. He accuses Lizot, one of the anthropologists to study the Yanomamo, of “luring the Yanomamo to their missions by offering them shotguns” (Chagnon, 2014, 424) Chagnon proceeds to claim that some members of the Yanomamo community confirmed that they had received shotguns from Lizot. Since there is greater consistency in his assertions, I am inclined to believe Chagnon. I feel that such anthropologists as Lizot are responsible for the damage that the image of anthropology has sustained. If this discipline is to regain its glory and image, there is need for all anthropologists to adhere to established guidelines and respect the communities with which they work.
One of the traits that define effective anthropologists is professionalism. In all the years before watching Secrets of the Tribe, I assumed that all anthropologists embraced decorum and proper manners. This documentary has shown that my assumption was misguided and divorced from the truth. The anthropologists in this documentary accuse one another of engaging in questionable affairs. For example, one of them alleges that a colleague became so drunk that he posed a threat to the security of the others (Padilha, 2010). The anthropologist adds that the behavior of his colleague hindered efforts to establish rapport with the Yanomamo community. These allegations are clear indication that not all anthropologists have adopted the standards that anthropology stipulates. In his book, Chagnon shares my anger and surprise at the unprofessional behavior of some of the anthropologists. He laments that numerous anthropologists engaged in a smear campaign aimed at tarnishing his character and raising credibility questions about his research (Chagnon, 2014, 423). He also says that the wrangles with another anthropologist forced a publisher to abandon plans to publish a book that Chagnon and the anthropologist had collaborated on (Chagnon, 2014, 429). The experiences of Chagnon show how unprofessionalism hampers progress. When they pull in different directions, anthropologists create an environment which hampers the growth of the field of anthropology.
The efforts to understand the Yanomamo were clearly ineffective and disastrous. In an earlier discussion, it was noted that the anthropologists who studied this community contaminated its culture. The damage that the anthropologists caused inspired me to re-evaluate my assumptions about this discipline. Initially, I was convinced that anthropologists took great care to protect communities from harm. I have had to perceive the profession differently after watching Secrets of the Tribe. It is revealed in this documentary that anthropologists exposed the Yanomamo to measles (Padilha, 2010). Since they lacked the sophisticated medical facilities that other communities have, the Yanomamo faced a serious threat to their health. In his book, Chagnon confesses that anthropologists did indeed introduce measles. However, he makes it clear that they took some precautions. For example, together with other anthropologists, Chagnon received measles vaccination (Chagnon, 2014, 471). This vaccination was clearly ineffective in protecting the Yanomamo. The anthropologist community failed the Yanomamo and their failures underscore the need for some soul-searching and reflection.
In conclusion, the study of human communities is the main function of anthropology. The members of this profession venture into dangerous and unfamiliar territories in search of insights. Most anthropologists follow standards and guidelines as they collect insights. However, as Secrets of the Tribe reveals, there are some anthropologists who violate rules and standards with impunity. The documentary exposes how anthropologists exploited and abused members of the Yanomamo tribe. The abuses ranged from marrying a child to offering this community guns in exchange for sexual favors. While the study of the Yanomamo tribe was mostly disastrous, it still offers important lessons. The main lessons is that anthropologists need to strictly follow laid-down standards and procedures. They should endeavor to promote the wellbeing of the communities that they are studying.
References
Chagnon, N. A. (2014). Noble Savages: My Life among Two Dangerous Tribes- the
Yanomamo and the Anthropologists. New York City: Simon and Schuster.
Moore, A. (1998). Cultural Anthropology. The Field and Study of Human Beings .
Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield.
Padilha, J. (2010). Secrets of the Tribe [Motion Picture]. France: Arte France.
