Caballos de monte y carne de potro. Análisis antropológico de un proceso contemporáneo de construcción identitaria, cultural y económica en la Montaña Alavesa

El fenómeno estudiado consiste en una estrategia de desarrollo local emprendida en algunas zonas de montaña de Álava. Se trata de la revitalización sociocultural y económica de las mismas a partir de la recuperación, mejora y refuncionalización de una raza equina autóctona: la yegua de monte alavés. Este proyecto cumple una doble función, la reafirmacion identitaria de la comunidad por un lado y la promoción económica del lugar mediante el producto local por otro. Esta estrategia queda anualmente reafirmada ante la comunidad local y la audiencia gracias al poder evocador de la fiesta. Por ello, se estudia con particular interés "El Día del Caballo en la Montaña Alavesa". A pesar de que tanto la estrategia como la fiesta estudiadas no representan prácticas aisladas dentro del marco rural europeo actual, este caso en concreto posee particularidades que proceden de la propia naturaleza del elemento patrimonializado, el caballo y más concretamente, la carne de potro. Al éxito que la construcción del animal como símbolo local ha tenido para la comunidad local se le contrapone algunos límites culturales como las aversiones alimentarias hacia esta carne en nuestra cultura. A partir del marco teórico ofrecido por la antropología de la alimentación, la antropología del desarrollo y la antropología del patrimonio, la autora investiga de una manera holística el fenómeno propuesto.

Integrating cultural, economic and environmental requirements for fish production in Borno State

The study examines the integration of cultural, economic and environmental requirements for fish production in Borno State, Nigeria. A reconnaissance survey was conducted transferring some selected Local Government Areas. 60 questionnaires were administered in the six Local Governments representing Southern Borno State with Biu and Shani, central Borno with Konduga & Jere and Northern Borno with Gubia and Kukawa respectively. There is no cultural constraint to fish production but about 63% prefers to invest in other farming activities than in fish farming. 33% are not aware that fish can be cultured apart from getting it from the wild. 35% have the impression that fish farming ventures can be handled by government only. The economic earnings for fish production are high especially in some parts of Northern Borno, but the Local market potentials throughout the state are great. Nigeria has suitable soil for ponds apart from few locations at the central and Northern Borno that are made by sandy soil. Numerous perennial and seasonal rivers, streams, lakes, pools and flood plains adequate for fish culture especially in Southern Borno exist. The mean annual rainfall can result in some water storage in ponds. In areas where the annual precipitation is less than 550mm, exist few flow boreholes with potentials for fish production. The temperature regime may support growth and survival of fish even during the hottest months of the year (March, April and May). With the understanding and manipulation of these requirements, fish production in Nigeria can be greatly enhanced

Problems and prospects of community-based resource management approach: an experience with the implementation of the ban on beach seines on Lake Kainji

Community Based Resource Management (CBRM) understood as an approach emphasizes a community's capability, responsibility and accountability with regards to managing resources. Based on the recommendations for the Nigerian-German Kainji Lake Fisheries Promotion Project (KLFPP), the Niger and Kebbi States Fisheries Edicts were promulgated in 1997. These edicts, among other things, banned the use of beach seines. Given the conviction of KLFPP, that if communities whose livelihood is linked to the fishery, understand and identify the problems and by consensus agree to the solutions of fisheries problems, they are more likely to adhere to any control measures, specifically the ban on beach seine. In 1999 a first agreement was reached between beach seiners, non-beach seiners and government authorities leading to an almost complete elimination of beach seine on the Lake Kainji. However, despite on going efforts of the Kainji Lake Fisheries Management and Conservation Unit in 2000 and possibly because of certain oversights during and after the first agreement, in May 2001 a significant number of beach seiners was observed. This led to a re-assessment of our approach, which lately culminated into another round of negotiation. The paper presents the latest results on this on-going process