Birds of the Great Andamanese Names, Classification and Culture

About this book

The first work on Great Andamanese ethno-ornithology, it looks into semantics, linguistics, cultural history, and ornithology. Starting with a brief history of ornithology, Birds of the Great Andamanese moves on to describe the birdlife of Andamans, indigenous place names of Andamanese Islands, the language and people, among other things. The main part of Birds of the Great Andamanese is taken up by species description complemented by photographs of over 100 Andaman bird species.

From the methodology of data collection and ethnobiology and nomenclature of birds to how living things are perceived by traditional societies, the nomenclature of avian taxa, and ethno-ornithological classification by Great Andamanese – the range of issues addressed is breathtaking. Interesting details and information related to bird calls and their significance, sound-size symbolism, birds in omen and augury, and bird colour and symbolism add a special flavour to the reading.

Importantly, Birds of the Great Andamanese also dwells on the threats to wild flora and fauna of Andaman Islands and provides recommendations for conservation. The detailed indices – of Great Andamanese names of taxa; of orders, families, and Latin names; and of common English and scientific names of taxa – would be of immense help to the serious scholar and researcher of birds of the Great Andamanese.

Contents

Introduction
Brief ornithlogical history
Birdlife of Andamans
Indigenous place names of Andamanese Islands
Language and People
Methodology of data collection
Ethnobiology and nomenclature of birds
How are living things perceived by traditional societies
Semantic dimensions
Why recognize bird species 'Utilitarian View' versus 'Inherent Need'
Notes on the nomenclature of avian taxa
Ethno-ornithological classification by Great Andamanese
Chart showing bird classification by Great Andamanese
Table showing Great Andamanese names for birds
Some Great Andamanese terms related to birds and nature
Ethnography
Onomatopoeia, bird calls and their significance
Sound-Size symbolism
Birds in omen and augury
Bird colour and symbolism
Some anthropological considerations
Threats to wild flora and fauna of Andaman Islands
Recommendations for conservation
Ethnobiological aspects of bird conservation
About the book
Species descriptions / Covert taxa / Folk tale of 'Maya Jiro Mithe' / Some references / 'Varnamala' for Great Andamanese children
Index of Great Andamanese names of taxa
Index of Orders, Families and Latin Names
Index of common English and scientific names of taxa

Customer Reviews

Biography

Satish Pande is Practising Interventional Radiologist and Sonologist, KEM Hospital, Pune. Ornithologist, bird photographer, illustrator, conservationist, and doctor, he is the Founder President of Ela Foundation, an NGO devoted to 'Nature Conservation through Education'.

Anvita Abbi is Professor of Linguistics, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. Currently she isLeverhulme Professor at the University of London.