How Other Children Learn

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FILMS

Below are hot links to the films and videos recommended at the beginning of Chapters 1 through 6.

1. What Do Anthropologists of Childhood Actually Do?

The first two films were made to introduce neophytes to the ways anthropologists think and work.  If anthropology is relatively new to you, watching one or both of these will complement Chapter 1.

Why Study Anthropology? (2016) 5:17 min. Two university students and a professor overview the basics of cultural anthropology, hoping to interest new students in their field of study. Produced by the University of Ottawa Faculty of Social Sciences.

Defining Anthropology and Ethnography (2018) 7:09 min. Introduces anthropology basics such as participant observation (a.k.a. ethnography), emic vs. etic (insiders’ vs. outsiders’ perspectives), the importance of the context of behavior, and the four fields of study within the field of anthropology. Produced by MMOGology (which studies online gaming communities).

The second set of films highlight Margaret Mead, the first anthropologist to focus her fieldwork on the study of children, youth, parenting, and related topics. Dr. Mead is the central figure of Chapter 1.
Margaret Mead: Exploring the Influence of Culture (2016) 10:00 min. This documentary includes many archival photos. Made for Minnesota State History Day.
Margaret Mead (c. 1975) 27:30 min. Mead talks about her upbringing, her mentors, her fieldwork, and her perspectives on society; some archival photos. Not an interview. Collected by Footage Farm, which archives films in the public domain (# 221564-02).

2. Growing Up Among the Aka Hunter-Gatherers of Africa

These films will enable you to more accurately imagine Aka Pygmy families as you read this chapter.
A Caterpillar Moon (1995) 50:00 min. Anthropologist Barry Hewlett observes the daily lives of the members of one of the families that he has been studying for decades. Produced by BBC Bristol. anthro.vancouver.wsu.edu/people/hewlett/; scroll to “Caterpillar Moon,” click on “watch it here.”
Pygmies of Africa (1939) 20:07 min. Describes the ways of hunter-gatherers; admires their craft and building skills. Produced by Encyclopedia Britannica. “Pygmies of Africa” is about a group in Central Africa, but not necessarily the Aka. Note that the filmmaker required his subjects to cover their private parts, presumably to preserve the innocence of U.S. audiences.

3. Growing Up Among the Quechua of Highland Peru

These films will enable you to more accurately imagine Quechua families as you read this chapter.
The Original People of Peru: The Quechua (~1970). 49:50 min. Documentary about the daily lives of the highland Quechua. Produced by TRACKS Travel.
Peru’s Quechua Indians: Culture and Family Traditions (2019). 16:51 min. Emphasizes traditional practices and rituals. Produced by wocomoHUMANITY.

TRACKS Travel makes films about traditional peoples; more are at youtube.com/c/TRACKSTravelChannel.

4. Growing Up Among the Navajos of the U.S. Southwest

Although several of these films offer an idealized portrayal, watching some or all of them will enable you to more accurately imagine Navajo families as you read this chapter.

Navajo Indians (1939). 10:35 min. Focuses on tribal social life and courtship rituals; includes building a hogan. Produced by Encyclopedia Britannica. aifg.arizona.edu/film/navajo-indians.
The Navajo Indian (1945). 8:54 min. Focuses on how the Navajo live and sustain life, especially sheepherding. Produced by the U.S. Office of Indian Affairs. aifg.arizona.edu/film/navajo-indian.
Navajo Canyon Country (1954). 12:19 min. Overviews the practical aspects of Navajo life. Produced by filmmaker Florence Avalon Daggett. aifg.arizona.edu/film/navajo-canyon-country.
Navajo Indian Life (1956). 11:33 min. Reviews the formidable challenges facing the Navajos. Produced by the National Council of American Indians. aifg.arizona.edu/film/navajo-indian-life-0.
These films and others are maintained by the American Indian Film Gallery at the University of Arizona.

5. Growing Up Among the Village Arabs of the Levant

These films will enable you to more accurately imagine Bedouin families as you read this chapter.

Bedouins and Early Life of Muhammad (2017) 9:22 min. Deep background regarding the values and lifestyle of the Bedouins. Origin is indeterminate.
Desert Arabs (1948). 11:00 min. A fascinating silent film depicting features of the daily lives of the Bedouins. Produced by Encyclopedia Britannica.
The Bedouins about 100 Years Ago (c. 1920). 2:12 min. Silent film about desert tent life, focusing on women and children. Produced by Pathé-Baby.
Life in a Bedouin Encampment (1922). 2:05 min. Silent film about couscous that also reveals Bedouin family life. Produced by Pathé-Baby.

A search also found films about village life in the Levant, but almost all were advancing a political perspective.

6. Growing Up Among the Hindu Villagers of India

These films will enable you to more accurately imagine Indian families as you read this chapter.

I Lived in an Indian Village (2019). 22:25 min. Karl Rock walks us through an Indian home and village, discussing ordinary daily life there. Produced by Karl Rock.

Why Dalit? (~2010). 29:51 min. In a village setting, Dalit and higher-caste people discuss their relations. Published by Nordic Anthro. Film Assn. boap.uib.no/index.php/jaf/article/view/1323/1211.

Desi Life in India (2021). 10:14 min. With no narration, we watch villagers’ daily work, including making cow dung patties. Real Life India series.

On YouTube, a search for “real life India” or “villages in India” will yield a large number of films made in India, mostly in villages, and mostly depicting outdoor work and cooking. Many of the films have no narration.