Local cultures
p. 46
Résumé
In the 1970s, geography relied heavily on quantifiable, visible data, translatable into maps. As a result, it sometimes neglected some of the key aspects of the societies it claimed to study. This observation gave rise to alternative, more culture-oriented approaches in geography.
Texte intégral
1Geography cannot rely solely on data collection, topographic surveys or maps; it should also take into account the symbolic or sensitive context of societies. Such was the intuition of Joël Bonnemaison, a geographer who moved to Oceania in the 1980s. Having roamed the islands to describe migratory flows and agricultural practices, he eventually focused, through long interviews, on the islanders’ stories about the world and their perceptions of the environment.
2Departing from the functional sphere of geography up to that time, he took an interest in invisible information, blurring the line between geography and ethnology. By doing so, he tossed aside quantitative and material notions to focus on emotional and qualitative concepts. He opened up a field of research where spatial analysis is enhanced by the vision and symbolism of societies. He promoted a form of geography seen through the prism of local culture.
3On Tanna Island, in the Vanuatu archipelago, he heard the founding story of an ogre who was torn apart, whose head, torso and limbs fell in various places on the island, imbuing them with long-lasting symbolism, making it impossible for islanders to conceive of one section of the island independently of other sections. Similarly, long mythical narratives explain the origin of the sacred stones which adorn the entire island and are the source of vital knowledge for the local society.
4By focusing of these stories and meaningful locations, the researcher developed the concept of “geosymbols”. He explored the carnal link that unite people to their territory. With subsequent analyses inspired by endogenous views of space, he paved the way for a cultural approach to geography in France. His vision was adopted by the academic community in France as well as Quebec and in the rest of the world.
Le texte seul est utilisable sous licence Creative Commons - Attribution - Pas d'Utilisation Commerciale - Pas de Modification 4.0 International - CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. Les autres éléments (illustrations, fichiers annexes importés) sont « Tous droits réservés », sauf mention contraire.
Biodiversité au Sud
Recherches pour un monde durable
Jean-François Agnèse, Olivier Dangles et Estienne Rodary (dir.)
2020
Biodiversity in the Global South
Research for a sustainable world
Jean-François Agnèse, Olivier Dangles et Estienne Rodary (dir.)
2020
Trajectoires de recherches en Amazonie brésilienne
L'IRD et ses partenaires
Frédérique Seyler, Marie-Pierre Ledru et Laure Emperaire (dir.)
2022
Trajetórias de pesquisa na Amazônia brasileira
O IRD e seus parceiros
Frédérique Seyler, Marie-Pierre Ledru et Laure Emperaire (dir.)
2022
Science et développement durable
75 ans de recherche au Sud
Corinne Lavagne, Thomas Mourier, Marie-Lise Sabrié et al. (dir.)
2019
Science and sustainable development
75 years of research in the Global South
Corinne Lavagne, Thomas Mourier, Marie-Lise Sabrié et al. (dir.)
2020