“Conserve Water for What You Drink Comes from the River, Conserve the Forest for What You Eat Comes from the Wood”: The Concepts of Ethnicity and Environment in Non-Fiction Writings about Pgaz K'nyau Ethnic Groups

Abstract

              This article examines the concepts of ethnicity and environment in 30 non-fiction writings about Pgaz K'nyau ethnic groups published between 1986-2016. It is found that these writings convey three significant concepts concerning ethnicity and environment in three significant ways, namely: the relationship between the Pgaz K'nyau ethnic groups and nature that demonstrates an intimate connection between Pgaz K'nyau’s ways of life and natural environment; the cultural aspect of conservation that reveals the importance of taking into account beliefs and practices of the ethnic groups; and the notion of human rights that reflects the struggles of the Pgaz K'nyau ethnic groups for their rightful access to natural resources. To convey these concepts, the authors deploy various literary devices, namely: selective portrayals of different aspects of Pgaz K'nyau’s ways of life; references to oral literature of the ethnic group; comparison of insider’s and outsider’s perspectives; and uses of figures of speech to depict the profound relationship between the ethnic groups and nature. The concepts and literary techniques presented through various contents and narratives demonstrate the value of ecocriticism in raising awareness about the environment through ethnic narratives.