Understanding the Role of Plants in Traditional Lifeways in a Mvskoke Ceremonial Community
Date
2012-08
Authors
Bolfing, Christopher
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Abstract
This thesis examines how a particular community of Mvskoke Creek peoples in northern Florida perceive the relationship between plants, people, and the natural world and how their participation in the traditional Busks (the ritual aspect of the traditional Mvskoke religious system) have influenced the development of those perceptions over time. This thesis will employ the theoretical approaches of phenomenology, situated learning, world-view studies, ethnoecology, ethnobotany, and traditional ecological knowledge. Themes that emerged from his research vary from perceptions of supernatural beings known as the Little People, to gardening, to traditional Medicine practices. Major focuses of this thesis include modern Mvskoke lifeways and the traditional Mvskoke ceremonial rituals.
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Keywords
Mvskoke Creeks, Busk, Ethnobotany, Ethnoecology, Phenomenology, Situated Learning, World-view Studies, Traditional Medicine, Little People, Gardening, Lifestyles and Lifeways, Ceremonial Community
Citation
Bolfing, C. (2012). <i>Understanding the role of plants in traditional lifeways in a Mvskoke ceremonial community</i> (Unpublished thesis). Texas State University-San Marcos, San Marcos, Texas.