EVENT: SOUTH AMERICA BEFORE AND AFTER COLUMBUS

The People of the Sun (Anthropology, History, Geography and Archaeology) Consisting of five lectures concerning history, cultural anthropology, geography and archaeology of the South American continent.

Lecture 1. ‘South American ecosystems and biodiversity’ An introduction to the amazing biodiversity of the South American continent from the Tierra del Fuego (Argentina/Chile) to the reaches of the most fascinating Natural Reserves and National Parks of Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela, to discover the variety of ecosystems and their complexity and problems.

Lecture 2 and 3. ‘The People of the Sun’

A journey along the S.A. continent discovering diverse Indian groups. We will meet natives in very different social/economical contexts; completely isolated in remote areas of the continent or partially integrated into western social systems, surrounded by narcos (the illegal army for drugs commerce) or harassed (and killed) by guerrilla in the interests of multinational enterprise. Through an exploration of their histories we will discover the variety of contexts of native Indians in South America.

Lecture 4. ‘Lusajiu a tribe of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (Colombia)’

A lecture concerning the minority ethnic group of Lusajiu (well known as Arzarios or Saha) living in the Sierra Nevada in Northern Colombia. We will discover their social organization and culture as it relates to religious beliefs and spirituality. The lecture will culminate in a depiction of the terrible circumstances they are now forced to endure, struggling against guerrilla and narcos. Their shaman will introduce their spirituality through ceremonies and rites.

Lecture 5. Amazons: ‘Zuruaha the poison’s people’ A conference in relation to a small Indian group living in the Brazilian Amazon. We will encounter their specific culture and social organization and discover one of the most isolated groups of Indians living in the Amazonian Basin. During an extraordinary interview a young member of this Indian group will take us inside their world, where hunting, preparing the mortal poison, and their life is connected to their spiritual beliefs. They are living in a terrible situation under the pressure of illegal rubber seekers in their territory.

David Bellatella is an anthropologist. From 1986 to 1991 he carried out ethnographic fieldwork on cultural anthropology in South America, working with the Mapuche (Argentina and Chile), Zuruahà (Brasil), Lusajiu and Arhuaco (Colombia), Shuar (Ecuador) and other native groups of the South American continent. Between 1989 and 1990 he organized and realized the first expedition crossing from South to North the whole range of the Cordillera of the Andes (during 14 months of walking, trekking and climbing for more then 4,500 km)

Tuesdays 7.30-9pm September 6 13 20 27 Oct 4 Course Code 055001 Cost $119 Bookings on 6488 2433 or online - Click on Extension Courses and go to Intellectual Adventures