The Flocks of the Wamani: A Study of Llama Herders on the Punas of Ayacucho, Peru
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Overview
In this volume, the authors present an original ethnographic study of five llama herding communities in Ayacucho, Peru. Data on herd dynamics are subjected to computer modeling in an effort to evaluate the roles of biology, symbolic and ritual behavior, ecological adaptation, and practical reason. The book contains the most detailed study of the waytakuy llama marking ceremony yet available. The role of this ceremony in preventing herds from going to extinction is evaluated against anthropological and sociobiological theory. This is an interdisciplinary book will appeal to professional archaeologists, prehistorians, cultural anthropologists, Andeanists, theoretical biologists, evolutionary biologists, and zoologists interested in animal domestication.Audience: Graduate and professional archaeologists; ethnographers interested in the Andes; zoologists interested in animal domestication; theoretical biologists interested in sociobiology.
Synopsis
In this volume, the authors present an original ethnographic study of five llama herding communities in Ayacucho, Peru.
Editorials
From the Publisher
"Combining a mix of ethnoarchaeology and simulation modeling of llama herds, the work has no competitors." CHOICE“A fascinating glimpse into a way of life disrupted by political violence over the past decade…draws together rich chunks of disparate data to illuminate contemporary herd dynamics…effective integration of diverse empirical and historical data, as well as analytic methods supports the authors in modeling a reasonable explanation for dissemination and perpetuation of cultural practice.” Lisa Markowitz, American Anthropologist