Rainforests

Background

Now that you have read all the background information and learned some things about what a rainforest is, where the Amazon is located, why the rainforest is so important, and how ecotourism is an issue for the rainforests right now, it is time to assume your expert role! You are the ethnographer that the Chief has called upon for help.

An ethnographer is simply an expert on native people. Since the native indians of the Ecuadorian rainforest are risking their future by thinking about trying ecotourism, this is quite a job! But we know you can do it and the Chief and his tribe believe that you are the best person for the job, so let's get started!

Your job is to become an expert on the native people that live in the rainforest, so you can make the best decision about whether or not you recommend ecotourism in their rainforest. Who are these people? How do they dress? How do they make a living? What do they eat? Where do they live? How do they hunt? These are just some of the things you will soon learn! There are so many fun things to learn!

While researching your role and trying to determine how Native peoples may be affected by ecotourism, ask yourself these questions:

What kind of effect would modern technology have on the Quichua?
Will the tourists be a bad influence?
Will the indians lose their native culture (the very thing that tourists come to experience?)
Do the indians want strangers on their land all the time?
Will the visitors damage the Quichua's land?
How might Quichua life change if they allow ecotourism?
Will they become greedy?
Would ecotourism make enough money to support Quichua families?
How has Quichua life become more modern already?

Quichua Indian family
Copyright David T. Schaller, 1995

Research

Review the following web sites to explore all you can about the native people of the rainforest. Copy each set of questions in your journal and then write your answers below the questions. Not all the answers will be found directly on the pages. In some cases you will need to do some thinking to answer the questions. Don't lose your answers! You will need them to write your report and prepare your presentation to the Chief! They will also be graded by your teacher at the end of the WebQuest.

Also, keep in mind that you are trying to decide whether or not to recommend ecotourism (allowing vacations in the rainforest) to the Chief. So think about how ecotourism would or would not affect the native people you read about!

People (Use all sites.)

Who Lives in the Rainforest?
What are some things that native people so besides hunting, gathering wild fruits and nuts and fishing?
Why are they fighting for their land?
What kinds of products have we gotten from the rainforest? Which one is especially important for sick people?
What kinds of problems do native people face, and who poses a danger to them? (Name at least 4 problems they face.)
How do you think the forest people are viewed by outsiders? Do you think their jungle skills are appreciated?
How do you think the forest people view the technology of outsiders, such as trucks, telephones, cameras, and binoculars?
What happens when the forest people are given tools and utensils, such as machetes and pots and pans?
Do you think the forest people want the material conveniences of modern technology? Do they want the Western culture that goes with the technology?
Do the forest people know what change will mean to them?