| OCR Text |
Show 62 In order to determine the groups which should be served the census should be devised to indicate the cultural characteristics of the population so that an appropriate classification thereof can be made. 2) In their effort to improve the economic conditions of Indians, Governments should take the following into account: a) the particular characteristics of Indian economy and culture; b) intensification of scientific studies of Indian groups in all aspects of life, both material and cultural, and in relation to the political geographic regions that they inhabit; c) development on the basis of such investigations, of methods and measures that might improve the conditions of these groups in a responsible and efficacious manner. Until these studies are carried out, advantage should be taken of existing elements, such as the intensification of Indian arts and crafts production (i.e. carpet-weaving, basketry and pottery). 3) In the biological field, he states that Indians have acquired certain biological defenses against autochthonous diseases and adversities of the American geographic environment, which make inter-racial marriages with them a speedy way of adapting foreign elements to the American scene. He recommends: a) that an ample investigation on Indian diet be conducted to make possible suggestions in methods to improve the present diet which is, generally speaking, utterly deficient; b) that cultivation of the soy bean be intensified in native regions because of its excellent nutritious qualities and small cost of production; and c) that campaigns be conducted to wipe out Onchocercosis and other similar diseases. 4) The cultural factor merits special attention because it affects not only the subject-matter but also the methodology to be applied in achieving a cultural level in accord with the exigencies and necessities of modern life. Gamio, Manuel (Mexico), "Las Caracteristicas Culturales y los Censos Indigenas," America Indigena, II, No. Ill (July, 1942), Mexico, D.F., pp. 15-19. English summary: There are numerous groups having low standards of living whose culture is so different from the occidental that a special adaptation of public services is needed. Among these are found many Indian-Mestizos, white groups having predominantly Indian culture, white groups such as those in the southern mountains of the United States of America, and Negros and Mulattos in various parts of the continent. In determining the number and location of groups in the first two classifications mentioned above, neither the linguistic nor anthropometric approach is satisfactory. The author believes more practical an identification of material cultural characteristics as to those properly Indian, those imported from other countries and those that combine elements of both. By this method, objects commonly found in Indian regions of America would also be evaluated in positive or negative terms as to their utility and identified in terms of character of use, origin, method of production |
