Cultural dimension of the community–forest relationship

Conf. univ. dr. Liliana Guran

The role of the cultural elements

• Culture = structural assembly of values created by the human society in its evolution.All we do, say, think, with the exception of some

instinctive behavioral elements, is culturally determined.

– artifacts, – sociofacts, – mentifacts.

The role of the cultural elements

• Culture exists in relationship. It is not a “thing” until very powerful forces make it so (Don Mitchell).

• .....”culture” – always in conjunction with the economic, social, and political forces that have made it – has real power (Don Mitchell).

• ”Culture” is both a source of power and a source of domination (Don Mitchell).

După Don Mitchell

Community–forest relationshipCharacteristics

• Relationship’s source and duration• Long relationship

“I was born here. We got used to it, like the bear is.”

“My eyes were opened here.”

“I saw my parents in the forest, and I followed their life-style. ”

“As long as I remember this is the world I know. I worked in the forest for many, many years. ”

“My roots are here.”

Community–forest relationship Characteristics

• Relationship’s source and duration• Source – Family (grandparents, parents)

(visiting the forest, activities in the forest, education)

“Oh, God! How I was fond of it! There was laughter, jokes. At 6 in the evening the sheep would come in, were milked and closed in before 10. There was nothing more beautiful than releasing the sheep in the fields. The sheep would crop the grass guarded by the dogs, the shepherds sound trumpet, blow the bugle” (Rom “bucium”). Oh it was very beautiful. Those are by gone times.”

”Don't put the axe on the tree, you'll hurt it and make it sick"

“Never you dare put the axe on good trees .”“Even as a child I took pity on a tree, took care not to hurt it.”“The forest is trained like a garden.”

Determinant elements

• Information (how was the forest in past times, how was the relation between people and forest)

• Positive image1. Great care of the owners for the forest

“Everyone knew his own forest and cutting was not done at random. ”

“People loved the forest. it was as dear to them as the light of the

eyes because it was theirs. ”“Father lived in the forest, when cutting a tree he would weep. He

used to cut only scrap. ”“he who owned forest land was the richest man in the village.”

Determinant elements

• Positive image

2. State care“It was well protected until 1989, the communist

regime took great care of the forest; they were well organised.”

“The communists took care of it, they rationally exploited it, not like now.”

Determinant elements

• Religious, mystical image

“God took care of the forest.”“Our parents took great care of it, the forest was

sacred for them, they would enter the forest like they entered the church. ”

“The elderly used to say: "when much of the forest is brought down, many people die".”

Determinant elements

• Negative image

1. In relation with the state ownership“People were forced to abandon it (the forest).”“...... the state ownership was chaotic.” “The communists neglected it.”

Determinant elements

• Negative image

2. In relation with the attitude of other actors (young people, foresters)

“The grandparents loved the forest better than their grandchildren. They would not have cut it.”

“Young people are attached to the money.”“Foresters love the forest for themselves.” “........ they

exploit it for the money.”

Determinant elements

• Negative image3. In relation with the forest’s present state –

strong contrast with the past state“Now (people) cut good forest and leave the

sick ones.”“...... the last years have witnessed unrestrained

actions, much is being cut and the terrain is left empty. ”

“There is nothing now that was before, there the ownership feeling and now has disappeared.”

Determinant elements

• Feelings• positive: attachment, usage, love, pleasure,

hope, happiness, pride, property feeling, responsibility

• negative: feeling sorry, faint attachment, regret, anger, fright, frustration

Consequences

• Projection of the mental map in future• Strong ucertainity (“if”)• Positive image (direct relation with the

strengthening of the property)

“Restituted, forest would be better managed.”

“The forest was and will be basic for people here. Things will go well if they are given the forest, they will take good care of it.”

Consequences

• Negative image (determined by the present behavior)

“If no law is passed to stop the cutting, it will look simply like a piece of board. it will be a disaster, everything will acquire a lunar aspect.”

“it appears that it will shrink", which is bad because the forest represents both the country's and the individuals' wealth. ”