Question 1
The challenges anthropologists face varying depending on places which they carry out their research. According to Ward (2005), Martha faced several challenges. The first one was that she was a foreigner in the land of Pohnpei and therefore she did face a language barrier. This might mean that there was some information that she that passed her that could have helped when the natives spoke to each other. Another challenge that she faced was that the living conditions were tough, she was a woman who was used to a western lifestyle where there were things like electricity, appliances, kitchen sink and furniture among others. Living in rural areas made life hard for her; the chores were time-consuming, there were no beds or mattresses and the alternative was to sleep on the floor. Besides, there were termites which always ate everything and they had to shake sheets to free them from termites.
According to Ward (2205), the anthropologists were separated from the comfort of their cultures which made them resort to alcohol and other forms of escapism. However, she personally resorted to reading and doing house chores. Other challenges were oppressive heat, lack of transportation means and adjustment to a new place. A new challenge that came in was that navy doctors who flew in discovered that most of the natives were facing low blood pressure and the researchers had to look into the issue. Besides, the writer disliked politics and leaving her work as a college professor meant that she was escaping from political strife. However, the US had its policies on the Micronesian island. There were conflicts between anthropologist on gender, professionalism and division of labor. Being a woman. A new anthropologist flew in and wanted her to wash his clothes. Besides, he did not want to acknowledge her as a partner despite having equivalent educational qualifications
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
Question 2
Pohnpeians were more open to sex; they regarded it as fun and treated it with less seriousness as compared to westerners. In public they stick to rules imposed on them by foreigners, however, they chat, gossip, joke and make fun about sex primarily because they have a playful and enthusiastic sex life. People would have sex outside at night depicted as crunchy noises. Young boys who were curious posed no threat. The sexual encounters at night were either in form of arrangements or ‘night crawling’, an instance where a man would creep into girl’s house and snatch her. Night crawling was highly admired and was considered bravery. Young women liked to be courted and thus they prepared themselves to attract the right men. The relatives would hear about relationships through gossips and they would either support or hinder the relationship. Marriage is a gradual process, from years of freedom to be a couple and establish a joint residence provided that the families of both partners perceive the relationship as marriage thus people are known to be married when they live under one house. The marriage became legal when they had lived together for six months. It was rare for young couples to build their own households and rarer for single women with no children.
Children are referred to as pigs. Martha does not have any children and she is asked if she has any children back at home (Ward, 2005). She is advised that it is better to have children then get married later. Women gather around the streams to wash clothes dishes, children and themselves during the day while men there at night for more privacy. She, being childless, receive more concerns from surrounding and she was asked if she could adopt kids like other American parents who are childless. Pohnpeians could adopt children or give their children for adoption as a sign of generosity. Women offered her spells and enchantment to help her increase fertility. The spells were used either to boost or reduce fertility.
Question 3
Kava is a plant which islanders discovered that when rats, they could no longer run but stagger, eat some sugar cane and then sleep. People tried it as well as sugar cane. They started harvesting it. The roots of fresh kava were pounded, squeezed and then served. Sipping it made one’s speech slur and taking more led to the loss of control I leg although one could not get drunk as alcohol. It brought the effect of peacefulness; when people were angry at each other or when serious offences were committed, they would drink together for a feast of apology. Kava symbolized forgiveness and grant of pardon and anyone who drank it could not exact revenge. After 30 years kava is pounded squeezed and added water before being poured into the bottle from which it will be served. Besides, young people are not aware of it.
Question 4
Under customs, changes included that fact that there was civilization, there were banners written in English. People smoked, they drank alcohol. There was a banner with a statement ‘drink and drive do not mix’. The society now is led by elected leaders. People do have their own social lives as opposed to communal social lives which everyone was included. Kids are seen to be playing tennis. People used to sit cross-legged on the hard ground, there are chairs now to be used for sitting. Families stick together and have meals but no longer communally.
Kava is still being used though young people are new to it. The changes in work are as a result of modernization, children go to school. There are new self-trained mechanics who deal with car repairs. Besides, there are taxis for transportation. People can be elected for leadership positions. Trading is now carried out using cash, pigs are sold for 1.99 dollars. People were aware of their health, for example, Catalina knows she is diabetic and she is taking necessary health care such as body exercises and cutting down body weight. People do exercises to keep the body fit through yoga classes.
References
Ward, M. C. (2004). Nest in the wind: Adventures in anthropology on a tropical island . Waveland Press.
