Comments on: Living with the Machigenga: ep7: Marriage http://oliversteeds.com/2009/03/27/living-with-the-machigenga-ep7-marriage/ Journalist - Presenter - Adventurer Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:19:05 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Anna http://oliversteeds.com/2009/03/27/living-with-the-machigenga-ep7-marriage/comment-page-1/#comment-1653 Anna Thu, 14 May 2009 21:31:23 +0000 http://oliversteeds.com/2009/03/27/living-with-the-machigenga-ep7-marriage/#comment-1653 Hi Olly, Hows it going? Not sure if you're looking this far back in your blog now. I'm way behind and have lots of reading to do clearly!!! I just wondered (and i'm sorry if this was answered in the episode - I can't get the channel to watch it) what happens if a marriage out there has problems? Are they forced to stay together? Do either have the right to walk away and if so are there any repercussions? I will post this on the Q & A blog too in case i'm too far behind and you don't see this. Take care Anna Hi Olly,

Hows it going? Not sure if you’re looking this far back in your blog now. I’m way behind and have lots of reading to do clearly!!! I just wondered (and i’m sorry if this was answered in the episode – I can’t get the channel to watch it) what happens if a marriage out there has problems? Are they forced to stay together? Do either have the right to walk away and if so are there any repercussions? I will post this on the Q & A blog too in case i’m too far behind and you don’t see this.
Take care
Anna

]]> By: Lissa http://oliversteeds.com/2009/03/27/living-with-the-machigenga-ep7-marriage/comment-page-1/#comment-1535 Lissa Sun, 05 Apr 2009 23:24:16 +0000 http://oliversteeds.com/2009/03/27/living-with-the-machigenga-ep7-marriage/#comment-1535 Thanks for your answers Olly. Best wishes! Thanks for your answers Olly. Best wishes!

]]> By: Ann Marie http://oliversteeds.com/2009/03/27/living-with-the-machigenga-ep7-marriage/comment-page-1/#comment-1482 Ann Marie Sat, 04 Apr 2009 04:45:47 +0000 http://oliversteeds.com/2009/03/27/living-with-the-machigenga-ep7-marriage/#comment-1482 Hi Olly...you're just pure lovely! You got me hooked to travel channel hoping to see reruns of mark and olly. Great job! Hi Olly…you’re just pure lovely! You got me hooked to travel channel hoping to see reruns of mark and olly. Great job!

]]> By: admin http://oliversteeds.com/2009/03/27/living-with-the-machigenga-ep7-marriage/comment-page-1/#comment-1463 admin Fri, 03 Apr 2009 15:14:21 +0000 http://oliversteeds.com/2009/03/27/living-with-the-machigenga-ep7-marriage/#comment-1463 Julie & Lissa: Is there love? Absolutely – and in many ways the same as the different forms of love that exist anywhere else in the world. And with that comes the same problems of jealousy and infidelity – although living in some self-reliant and interdependent communities, these problems can be catastrophic. As you say, there is an important element of convenience, although I would say that this is for the necessities of survival and the basic needs of procreation. Sexual selection has defined our species, like any other but one of the lessons in history is the need to be practical and not base love on the wild whims of romantic love – scientists have recently discovered that your brain behaves irrationally (not dissimilar to a drug addiction) when you’re in the heat of romantic love. Whilst love has a vital place for it, the ideas of ‘romance’ as the foundation for happiness that seems to be rammed down our throats by mass media, is slightly misguided. It can work, but statistically, far more often it doesn’t. If you want to know more about this, I highly recommend “The Prehistory of Sex: 4 million years of human sexual culture”. Ana Maria: Family: I agree with you that family is the extremely important to our survival and development as a species. If you look through human history – the majority of which we have been living in a similar way to indigenous groups like the Machigenga – the family unit is crucial – look at how it’s crumbling today and the social implications it is having on societies everywhere! It’s nuts. (ps: don’t have any tazo tea but will try and find some. Thanks ;-)) Reena Kalra: Competition for women: On arrival Jacinto offered us his nieces and not Lucilla who we ended up competing for. I don’t think Jacinto was that serious about his offer fortunately as he was not a man I wanted to upset or show unwillingness to accept his graceful offer! Reena Kalra: My family response to the challenges? Well they usual say “you signed up to it, so do it, with respect, humility and humour. And we don’t want to hear your complaints”. I try to follow their advice, although sometimes, it’s a little tricky especially when you get a mouthful of bugs. Lissa: declining suitors: Absolutely – the final decision lay with Lucilla – if she doesn’t like the man, however good (or bad) he was, she can decide…. Lissa: Masato beer challenge: the real thing Jose was looking at was how the men responded when they were drunk. Whilst Mark drank a lot, he lots out with his irrational behaviour! Lissa: Guinea pigs: we got them from Jose and Rositta – they had a dozen of them running around their hut! Tan: Lucilla’s age: I think about 19. Angela: Where will I be in 10 years time? Thanks for the encouragement. Well, I have no idea. I just hope I’m healthy, alive and still have wonderful friends and family, perhaps even my own little sprogs… Julie & Lissa: Is there love? Absolutely – and in many ways the same as the different forms of love that exist anywhere else in the world. And with that comes the same problems of jealousy and infidelity – although living in some self-reliant and interdependent communities, these problems can be catastrophic. As you say, there is an important element of convenience, although I would say that this is for the necessities of survival and the basic needs of procreation. Sexual selection has defined our species, like any other but one of the lessons in history is the need to be practical and not base love on the wild whims of romantic love – scientists have recently discovered that your brain behaves irrationally (not dissimilar to a drug addiction) when you’re in the heat of romantic love. Whilst love has a vital place for it, the ideas of ‘romance’ as the foundation for happiness that seems to be rammed down our throats by mass media, is slightly misguided. It can work, but statistically, far more often it doesn’t. If you want to know more about this, I highly recommend “The Prehistory of Sex: 4 million years of human sexual culture”.

Ana Maria: Family: I agree with you that family is the extremely important to our survival and development as a species. If you look through human history – the majority of which we have been living in a similar way to indigenous groups like the Machigenga – the family unit is crucial – look at how it’s crumbling today and the social implications it is having on societies everywhere! It’s nuts. (ps: don’t have any tazo tea but will try and find some. Thanks ;-))

Reena Kalra: Competition for women: On arrival Jacinto offered us his nieces and not Lucilla who we ended up competing for. I don’t think Jacinto was that serious about his offer fortunately as he was not a man I wanted to upset or show unwillingness to accept his graceful offer!

Reena Kalra: My family response to the challenges? Well they usual say “you signed up to it, so do it, with respect, humility and humour. And we don’t want to hear your complaints”. I try to follow their advice, although sometimes, it’s a little tricky especially when you get a mouthful of bugs.

Lissa: declining suitors: Absolutely – the final decision lay with Lucilla – if she doesn’t like the man, however good (or bad) he was, she can decide….

Lissa: Masato beer challenge: the real thing Jose was looking at was how the men responded when they were drunk. Whilst Mark drank a lot, he lots out with his irrational behaviour!

Lissa: Guinea pigs: we got them from Jose and Rositta – they had a dozen of them running around their hut!

Tan: Lucilla’s age: I think about 19.

Angela: Where will I be in 10 years time? Thanks for the encouragement. Well, I have no idea. I just hope I’m healthy, alive and still have wonderful friends and family, perhaps even my own little sprogs…

]]> By: Angela http://oliversteeds.com/2009/03/27/living-with-the-machigenga-ep7-marriage/comment-page-1/#comment-1427 Angela Wed, 01 Apr 2009 16:35:57 +0000 http://oliversteeds.com/2009/03/27/living-with-the-machigenga-ep7-marriage/#comment-1427 It's nice to know that things haven't changed much after all these years. Marriage is to me is similar to a dance, like "The Waltz". If you meet the right person and share the same views on the important things such as children, and finances etc then your dance goes very smoothly and gracefully. When your in rythm with that person your marriage is a partnerhip and it's a beautiful thing. If you don't meet the right person then your constantly "stepping" on each others toes etc.. I often like to think what are lives will be like 10 years from now. Do you ever wonder what you will be doing 10 years from now? I can tell you what you will be doing, you will be married with two kids and one on the way and hopefully finishing up your second or third book. If you start now you can do it. If nothing else at least finishing up a book. What do you think? It’s nice to know that things haven’t changed much after all these years. Marriage is to me is similar to a dance, like “The Waltz”. If you meet the right person and share the same views on the important things such as children, and finances etc then your dance goes very smoothly and gracefully. When your in rythm with that person your marriage is a partnerhip and it’s a beautiful thing. If you don’t meet the right person then your constantly “stepping” on each others toes etc..

I often like to think what are lives will be like 10 years from now. Do you ever wonder what you will be doing 10 years from now? I can tell you what you will be doing, you will be married with two kids and one on the way and hopefully finishing up your second or third book. If you start now you can do it. If nothing else at least finishing up a book. What do you think?

]]> By: Tiffany http://oliversteeds.com/2009/03/27/living-with-the-machigenga-ep7-marriage/comment-page-1/#comment-1419 Tiffany Wed, 01 Apr 2009 03:26:11 +0000 http://oliversteeds.com/2009/03/27/living-with-the-machigenga-ep7-marriage/#comment-1419 I thought this episode was insightful. At first I thought it seemed cold to pick a husband by how he provides and how he holds his liquor. Then I realized western society uses the same tactics. A person's occupation and how they provide can have a big influence on who is attracted to them, and our divorce rate would definitely decrease if people could handle their liquor responsibly. Any plans for the next adventure? Please keep them coming! I am sad it is only 8 episodes for 4 months of experience. I know there is so much more everyone would like to see. Thanks for all the great work. Tiffany I thought this episode was insightful. At first I thought it seemed cold to pick a husband by how he provides and how he holds his liquor. Then I realized western society uses the same tactics. A person’s occupation and how they provide can have a big influence on who is attracted to them, and our divorce rate would definitely decrease if people could handle their liquor responsibly.
Any plans for the next adventure? Please keep them coming! I am sad it is only 8 episodes for 4 months of experience. I know there is so much more everyone would like to see. Thanks for all the great work.
Tiffany

]]> By: Sara M http://oliversteeds.com/2009/03/27/living-with-the-machigenga-ep7-marriage/comment-page-1/#comment-1396 Sara M Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:44:14 +0000 http://oliversteeds.com/2009/03/27/living-with-the-machigenga-ep7-marriage/#comment-1396 I thought Ahelio was downright beautiful! Kat, thanks for the Effen tip. I picked some up last weekend. Very nice! Sara M I thought Ahelio was downright beautiful!

Kat, thanks for the Effen tip. I picked some up last weekend. Very nice!

Sara M

]]> By: Kat http://oliversteeds.com/2009/03/27/living-with-the-machigenga-ep7-marriage/comment-page-1/#comment-1387 Kat Mon, 30 Mar 2009 19:51:36 +0000 http://oliversteeds.com/2009/03/27/living-with-the-machigenga-ep7-marriage/#comment-1387 Just goes to show.. Mr. Right is difficult to find no matter where you live :o). Another great episode, a kind of Machegenga version of a Jane Austin novel. I loved it, though I was getting a little worried that Marks competitive nature was going to land him a bride. Is it just me or did anyone else notice that Ahelio seemed to have nice teeth for someone who probably doesn't have any dental care? take care Kat Just goes to show.. Mr. Right is difficult to find no matter where you live :o). Another great episode, a kind of Machegenga version of a Jane Austin novel. I loved it, though I was getting a little worried that Marks competitive nature was going to land him a bride.

Is it just me or did anyone else notice that Ahelio seemed to have nice teeth for someone who probably doesn’t have any dental care?

take care
Kat

]]> By: Ana Maria http://oliversteeds.com/2009/03/27/living-with-the-machigenga-ep7-marriage/comment-page-1/#comment-1360 Ana Maria Mon, 30 Mar 2009 05:40:31 +0000 http://oliversteeds.com/2009/03/27/living-with-the-machigenga-ep7-marriage/#comment-1360 Well, looks like I judged Lucilla a bit too harshly. I missed the part about her husband getting drunk and beating her the first time I watched this episode. I caught it again tonight, and heard that part for the first time. I feel bad for her, now, and hopes she finds a better husband. I shouldn't have made that judgement. My bad. Well, looks like I judged Lucilla a bit too harshly. I missed the part about her husband getting drunk and beating her the first time I watched this episode. I caught it again tonight, and heard that part for the first time. I feel bad for her, now, and hopes she finds a better husband. I shouldn’t have made that judgement. My bad.

]]> By: Tan http://oliversteeds.com/2009/03/27/living-with-the-machigenga-ep7-marriage/comment-page-1/#comment-1349 Tan Mon, 30 Mar 2009 00:49:50 +0000 http://oliversteeds.com/2009/03/27/living-with-the-machigenga-ep7-marriage/#comment-1349 Hello, Olly This is my second times reading this poem and I still love the last two lines. You are right that moral of good and bad, fidelity and love, are not just present in the past. I guess, all you have to do is open your heart and look deep into the soul to see it. Today, so many people are afraid to open up, maybe, because the fear of geting hurt, or fear that someone might think they are weak. I hope that Lucilla will find her perfect mate, someone that will take good care of her and her children, and someone who would not abuse her when he drink. I cannot help feeling sorry for Lucilla, she look so young and she already have two children. Olly, how old is Lucilla? Take care and stay safe, Tan Hello, Olly
This is my second times reading this poem and I still love the last two lines. You are right that moral of good and bad, fidelity and love, are not just present in the past. I guess, all you have to do is open your heart and look deep into the soul to see it. Today, so many people are afraid to open up, maybe, because the fear of geting hurt, or fear that someone might think they are weak. I hope that Lucilla will find her perfect mate, someone that will take good care of her and her children, and someone who would not abuse her when he drink. I cannot help feeling sorry for Lucilla, she look so young and she already have two children. Olly, how old is Lucilla?
Take care and stay safe, Tan

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