Doing Fieldwork Among the Yanomamo- Values and Norms

This post relates to the values and norms of the Yanomamo. In class we talked about different values and norms. The term values is the standards by which people define what is desirable or undesirable, good or bad, beautiful or ugly. Next, the term norms is the expectations, or rules of behavior, that reflect and enforce values. Some of the cultural norms within the Yanomamo include the people being fierce. The members of the Yanomamo are fierce and expect others to look at them as fierce. Aggression is another important norm that all Yanomamo members possess. If they show aggression towards one another then in turn will have power. Wife beating, chest pounding, and organized attacks on other villages are some of the ways of life. They are taught early on not to trust anyone. In the United States we were taught from an early age to treat others the way you would like to be treated. We both hold different values for what may or may not be desirable. Yanamamo people are also extremely loud and threatening when talking to one and other. They may say things such as, "Share your food with me!" "Loan me your flashlight so I can go hunting tonight!" Giving into a demand was looked at as weak. A person was to stand up for themselves. Chagnon soon had to adjust his norms-behavior in order to get a long with the Indians.

This relates to my life because if a member of the Yanamamo was to stay in my home I'm sure that some of the daily routines with my family would shock them just the same. The amount of time and money Americans spend "beautifying" themselves would be looked at as the biggest waste of time to them. Just because they may do things differently doesn't mean our way of life is wrong. Both cultures can co-exist.
  This photo is of a naked woman from the Yanomamo. 






To their tribe they look at her as being clothed where as to Americans we would say things such as "ew" or "why 






isn't she wearing any clothes?"