Looks interesting. Tho, $20 for a 2-year old used paperback is a bit steep (you were a teen in 2006?*). From the review:

ETA: *the edition listed there was published in 2006--I guess the book was published before that. That's the only edition I can find on Amazon, though.

Having grown up surrounded by Maori people all my life it seems odd to me that some people don't know about them or where they're from and what their cultural significance is to the greater world around us, but I'm not sure I think it's sad. I do get what you're saying though Cloud. The world is becoming such a small place in some ways, but it seems to be becoming more insular in others also. People are more concerned with what directly affects them and not so much about knowing things just for the sake of it. Of course, I think people have been making these sorts of suggestions throughout the ages.

I'm sure there are a lot of people who don't know anything about americans - indigenous or otherwise - out there in the world, but none here have ever heard of them.

Different things are of different interest to different people for different reasons. I think that's all it really comes down to.

tell me what you know about the navajo.

well, I've heard of them, know they exist, and roughly what area of the country they lived in. Know there's a special chapter of WWII history devoted to them; have a (admittedly) vague idea of some of their customs.

Oh, wait. . . you were asking Ms. Aliantha, weren't you? :D

and then the Sami
followed by the Masai

well, I know of them. Don't know a lot about them, but again, I know they exist and roughly what area of the world they live in.

This is general knowledge. I'm a big fan of the concept of "cultural literacy." I'm not going to say I have in-depth knowledge of every cultural subgroup or indigenous people out there, because I certainly do not, but I think a general knowledge of the major countries and peoples of the world is required for educated people.

I know. I'm just a nerd.

My answer would be similar to Clouds. I know of them and where they come from and have a general understanding of lifestyle, but I wouldn't say I'm an expert. Then again, I'm not an expert on Maori traditions etc either, but I probably know more about them because of my familiarity.

Some people absorb knowledge like a sponge.

How lucky!

Says here that the youths are big into hip-hop.

Somehow I find that hilarious. But I am a cruel and bitter man.

Somehow I find that hilarious. But I am a cruel and bitter man.

the warrior tribes are still scaring their neighbors, obviously.

[other side of the coin]
Weird.... This from the lady who didn't know anything about cars. Yet, you drive one every day, you're surrounded by them every day. Don't you think you have a "need for this knowledge in real life"?

I can remember clearly being saddened as a child when I learned what a Renaissance Man was and that I probably couldn't be one. Someone who knew the most about everything (my childhood understanding, close, but no cigar). Now I can see quite clearly, especially in my professional field, technology, that I could *never ever* be the most knowledgeable in all fields. I can barely keep up with these freakin computers.

My point is that we all have to choose what to put into our heads. For those quick studies among us, they may have a chance to put in more and us slow learners have to be content with either less knowledge or less sleep. Sadly, I usually wind up with both booby prizes. :yawn:

I can't remember not knowing about the Maori, but then we have closer links with New Zealand in England. And one of my favourite children's authors is a Kiwi. As is my Aunt to be fair. And pretty much everyone here knows about the haka, even if they couldn't name it precisely, because the All Blacks do it before every game. Oh and there's a pretty well known clip of a young Prince Charles meeting the Maoris.

I could go on and on, but I was just trying to justify what otherwise might have sounded boastful.

I have never heard of currahee. Sounds like a variation of Karachi maybe? In which case I know a fair amount, but I think that might be too obscure.

I know where the Navajo are from, and a few snippets about them. I know more about the Sami but again, I'm European and the Masai - well I do have a friend who lives in Kenya after all.

ETA - I know very little about cars! But then I've only ever been an intermittant driver and don't currently own one.

I think it's far easier to pick up general knowledge than it is specific mechanics/ technology. But then maybe it's the way my mind works.

oh, absolutely, which is why I ask for help in filling the gaps in my knowledge, and actively research those issues which come up.

Why is it hilarious?

Because in the midst of preserving the heritage of an indigenous people, the youngsters said ah fuggit and took their own cultural notes from halfway around the world; and then took the militant notes about it and made it their own militancy. The youth culture will always rebel; the kids always have crappy music and dress funny. And now while we're supposed to remember this honorable and unique indigenous culture, their kids are kind of abandoning it because it's not cool enough.