The role of social memory in natural resource management

Insights from participatory video

Bibliographic Data

ID8964247
AuthorsJayalaxshmi Mistry (0000-0001-7582-3739, Department of Geography Royal Holloway University of London Egham Surrey TW20 0EX, corresponding author), Andrea Berardi (0000-0003-3546-4916, Communication and Systems Department The Open University Walton Hall Milton Keynes MK6 7AA), Lakeram Haynes (Rewa Village North Rupununi Region 9 Guyana), Delano Davis (Toka Village North Rupununi Region 9 Guyana), Rebecca Xavier (0000-0001-8627-9548, Wowetta Village North Rupununi Region 9 Guyana), Johnny Andries (Toka Village North Rupununi Region 9 Guyana)
Year2013
Volume39
Issue1
Pages115-127
Publication date2013-03-18
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueTransactions of the Institute of British Geographers (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0020-2754 • E-ISSN: 1475-5661
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/tran.12010
OpenAlexW2080043177
LanguageEN
Citations received17
References cited41

This research looked at the role of social memory for adaptive natural resource management within indigenous communities of the North Rupununi social‐ecological system ( SES ) in Guyana. Secondary data from historic texts and archives were first used to build a social and ecological history of the North Rupununi SES . Current social memory ‘in use’ was then surfaced through a participatory video ( PV ) process led by the indigenous community. From this, a compendium of key narratives of the communities' social memory was identified and modes of social memory creation, transmittance and modification were revealed. These highlighted the role of social memory in identity formation and self representation, how social memory maintains and reinforces community connectedness and collectiveness, and how PV supports indigenous ways of communication, especially the visual. The study provides some valuable insights into the dynamic nature of the North Rupununi SES social memory, how it is used to make sense of the world, and how PV can be used as a tool for surfacing and recording social memory

Cognitive science · Collective memory · Indigenous · Linguistics · Narrative · Natural resource · Natural resource management · Political science · Social learning · Social memory · Sociology · Anthropological Studies and Insights · Conservation, Biodiversity, and Resource Management · Cultural Heritage Management and Preservation · Ecology · Psychology

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