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FIELDWORK CONTINUES IN MANUS, PNG |
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PART 2:
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Other anthropologists are building on Margaret Meads work, continuing to describe the process of social change. This is most conspicuous in Manus, Papua New Guinea, where nearly a dozen anthropologists have now worked, starting with Mead and Reo Fortune in 1929, Mead and Theodore Schwartz in 1953, Barbara Heath Roll and others, some returning again and again. Since 1982 several students from the University of Pennsylvania have conducted fieldwork in Pere. Most recently, Ellen and Peter Demerath have brought complementary skills to anthropological research there. Ellen, a physical anthropologist at Wright State University, is currently studying the epidemiology of cardiovascular disease in Manus. Her research focuses on understanding how rapid modernization, including changes in diet and physical activity, have put more Manus people at risk for obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Peter, an educational anthropologist at Ohio State University, studies education and student culture. He is currently conducting research on
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Karol Matawai, who was just a toddler when Mead first conducted fieldwork in the village, "inherited" the role of research assistant and adoptive father to subsequent generations of visiting anthropologists from his step-brother John Kilepak, one of Meads original "houseboys" in 1929. To show their gratitude for a lifetime of devoted assistance, Karols friends sponsored a trip to the United States in August 1998. Karol served as the village representative to the memorial service for anthropologist Barbara Heath Roll, and was hosted by Fred Roll in Carmel, California, Theodore Schwartz in San Diego, California, and the Demeraths in Dayton, Ohio.
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The Demeraths most recent trip to Manus was in 1995. They are planning to return in 2000 to document how this historically egalitarian group is striving to improve the health and well-being of its members in the midst of poor economic growth, increasing social stratification, and ecological degradation affecting their marine and timber resources. The Demeraths also plan to provide video footage of village life and activities to be integrated with the Mead2001 celebration.
- Mary Catherine Bateson
All rights reserved. Mead/Bateson photo ©Fred Roll.
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