Some anthropological insights in socio-cultural dynamics and sustainability
Is it possible to build an adaptive strategy based on traditional approaches in animal husbandry - Case study of Strandja’s plague in 2011 and 2018
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.60053/TER.2019.4.3-18Keywords:
traditional ecological knowledge, EU regulations, cultural traditions, sustainabilityAbstract
The presentation investigates comparatively three critical events in South-East Bulgaria (area of Strandja mountain) in the second decade of the millennium, when the region was struck by particularly critical outbreaks of contagious livestock diseases: foot-and-mouth disease (FMD in 2011), “blue tongue” disease (in 2013), and highly contagious sheep and goat plague (PPR - Peste des Petits Ruminants, in 2018). As well known, in the past local traditional culture responded to the challenges of biological and other hazards through building an adaptive strategy at the edge of rational and spiritual concepts, interpretations and practices. This article tries to answer the question, whether in similar situations today the local people continue to rely on the past cultural knowledge for coping and adapting, even when such behavior contradicts the EU legislation. In such cases, anthropological investigation is much needed (although never sought) because it may offer a real-life tool for a more adequate exploration of mandatory reaction which should be equally suitable for the local farmers, politicians and those who had to carry out the consequences of the prescribed policy.
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