THE SOCIAL LIFE OF WILD-THINGS: NEGOTIATED WILDLIFE IN MALI, WEST AFRICA by IAN B. EDWARDS A DISSERTATION Presented to the Department of Anthropology and the Graduate School of the University of Oregon in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy September 2012 DISSERTATION APPROVAL PAGE Student: Ian B. Edwards Title: The Social Life of Wild-Things: Negotiated Wildlife in Mali, West Africa This dissertation has been accepted and approved in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy degree in the Department of Anthropology by: Frances White, Ph.D. Co-Chair Philip Scher, Ph.D. Co-Chair Lawrence Sugiyama, Ph.D. Member Peter Walker, Ph.D. Outside Member and Kimberly Andrews Espy Vice President for Research & Innovation/Dean of the Graduate School Original approval signatures are on file with the University of Oregon Graduate School. Degree awarded September 2012 ii © 2012 Ian B. Edwards iii DISSERTATION ABSTRACT Ian B. Edwards Doctor of Philosophy Department of Anthropology September 2012 Title: The Social Life of Wild-Things: Negotiated Wildlife in Mali, West Africa Two markets located in Bamako, Mali, West Africa specialize in the commodification of wildlife, and in so doing contest western-centric notions of globalization. Founded in traditional medicine, the Marabagaw Yoro sells wildlife to serve the needs of the local community, while the Artisana, a state sponsored institution, manufactures fashion accoutrements from wildlife and is oriented towards meeting the demands of tourists. Actors in both markets effectively curb the impact of national and international forces and demonstrate the necessity of putting local-global relations at the heart of transnational studies. Malians are not weak and reactive, but potent and proactive. They become so by engaging in networks that move out from the two markets and that intersect to a degree. Through these networks, local actors negotiate and/or manipulate national and international forces for personal benefit for example, using wildlife for profit, despite national and international sanctions. As such, these markets are sites of articulation, where local resource users engage the world at large and actively negotiate a myriad of values as well as mediate political and economic pressures. Investigating these networks helps us understand the actual, empirical complexities of globalization while allowing for the agency of local actors. iv Supplemental Files: Wild Species of the APT and their Conservation Status This file is an Excel spreadsheet of all wild species recorded in association with the Animal Parts Trade (APT) of Mali. It includes the following classes of vertebrates: Pisces, Aves, Reptilia, and Mammalia, as well as provides their conservation status and additional details. v CURRICULUM VITAE NAME OF AUTHOR: Ian B. Edwards GRADUATE AND UNDERGRADUATE SCHOOLS ATTENDED: University of Oregon, Eugene Oregon State University, Corvallis Plymouth State College, Plymouth, New Hampshire DEGREES AWARDED: Doctor of Philosophy, Anthropology, 2012, University of Oregon Master of Arts, Applied Anthropology, 2003, Oregon State University Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, Anthropology, 1996, Plymouth State College AREAS OF SPECIAL INTEREST: Environmental Anthropology Globalization Ethnography PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: Course Instructor, University of Oregon, Department of Anthropology, 2009- 2011 Graduate Teaching Fellow, University of Oregon, Department of Anthropology, 2004-12 GRANTS, AWARDS, AND HONORS: Stern Fellowship, University of Oregon, Department of Anthropology, 2010-2011 Barnett Fellowship, University of Oregon, Department of Anthropology, 2009- 2010 U.S. Student Fulbright Award, Institute of International Education, 2007-2008 Dissertation Fieldwork Grant, Wenner-Gren Foundation, 2007-2008 vi ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This study could not have been possible without the support of many people. Specifically, the Malian communities of the Artisana and Marabagaw Yoro, as well as the village of Djonfakulu, opened their doors to me and granted me access to a world that few Westerners are able to experience. In particular, I would like to thank Kara for taking me under his wing and sharing his unique insights on traditional medicine and the wildlife that is used in preparing it. In addition, I wish to express the most sincere appreciation to Professors Frances White, Philip Scher, and Lawrence Sugiyama for their support and assistance in preparing this manuscript. Their patience, advice, and constructive critiques helped shape not only my intellectual orientations, but also encouraged me to share my ideas and unique perspective. Lastly, I would like to express my deepest thanks and love to my family. Their unwavering support and endless love served as a lifeline when times were dark and the future uncertain. This project was supported in part by a U.S. Student Fulbright Award from the Institute of International Education, and a Dissertation Fieldwork Grant from the Wenner-Gren Foundation (Gr. 7607). Additional funding from the University of Oregon Graduate School and Department of Anthropology allowed me to present portions of this study to the American Anthropological Association annual meeting (2010), Student Conference on Conservation Science, hosted by the American Museum of Natural History (2010), and for the Conference on Bridging Conservation and Development in Latin America and Africa, Tropical Conservation and Development Program, University of Florida (2010). vii This study is dedicated to the people of Mali, my wife, son and daughter. viii TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter Page I. INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................... 1 Research Background ............................................................................................ 4 International Conservation and Mali ..................................................................... 9 Theoretical Orientations and Frameworks............................................................. 14 Methodology.......................................................................................................... 21 Historical Background ........................................................................................... 24 II. A VISIT TO DJONFAKULU................................................................................. 28 The Gin Gin Gran.................................................................................................. 34 Preparing the Sands ............................................................................................... 37 No Bull Networks .................................................................................................. 39 Hunters and Wildlife.............................................................................................. 44 Making Medicine................................................................................................... 48 Community and Sacrifice ...................................................................................... 51 The Rural Side of the Animal Parts Trade............................................................. 54 III. WELCOME TO THE ARTISANA ......................................................................... 61 Nyamakalaw and Artisana Craft Specialization .................................................... 65 Market Composition, Consultants, and Wildlife Commodities............................. 71 Notes ...................................................................................................................... 82 IV. WILDLIFE ACTORS OF THE ARTISANA.......................................................... 83 Hunters................................................................................................................... 85 Middlemen............................................................................................................. 91 ix Chapter Page General Opportunists ............................................................................................. 98 Wholesale Distributors .......................................................................................... 104 Notes ...................................................................................................................... 106 V. WILDLIFE PRODUCT VENDORS ...................................................................... 107 Owners................................................................................................................... 110 Managers................................................................................................................ 114 Staff........................................................................................................................ 118 Extra Shop Members ............................................................................................. 121 Notes ...................................................................................................................... 124 VI. WILDLIFE VALUES OF THE ARTISANA.......................................................... 125 Situated Values ...................................................................................................... 128 Knowing the Consumer ......................................................................................... 134 Finding Money and the Art of Nanbara ................................................................ 150