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Jungle Child by Sabine Kuegler is a nonfiction about a German born woman who grew up in the jungle somewhere in Indonesia among the primitive tribe called the Fayu. If you have lived in more than one culture, you might enjoy this book. If you are having difficulty assimilating to a culture, you are not alone. If you are a cultural anthropologist, well, you probably have read this book already. This book offers plenty of food for thought. Observing another culture is often a fascinating experience. This book also guides you through an inner struggle to integrate one’s different parts, the modern, Western European self and the primitive jungle self. I have a hypothesis that having lived in a different culture helps you see your “home” culture from a more objective point of view. People often feel discouraged to criticize other cultures. Who likes to be labeled a cultural imperialist? However, if you are, say, American, do you feel free to criticize American culture? Probably. You know how it is okay to criticize oneself but not so noble to criticize others. Well, I think it is more or less the same pattern. The analogy breaks down when we take into account the fact that a culture consists of more than one individual. If some members of the culture are very unhappy about the way their culture is, is it still all good because it’s their culture? For example, if sex with children is prevalent in a culture that is not your own, is it right just because “it is their culture”? Is slavery right just because it is their culture? Is rape okay just because it is their culture? What about gender and racial discriminations? The answer should be obvious. No culture is perfect. I guess the tougher questions are who decides what to change and how change can materialize. If you want to make a difference in people’s lives, you’d better have enough information about them before you decide what is right and what is best for them. This book inspires hope. A handful of people have made considerable progress towards peace among the clans that were constantly at war with one another. It reminds me once again that the best way to influence others positively is to live out a good example. It also provides supporting evidence that a handful of people can make a difference. I still have about thirty pages to go, but I am saving that for the morning bus ride. Good books don’t come around that often. Thank you, Sabine. Post a comment in response: |
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