Fire and Habitat Modification: An Anthropological inquiry into the use of fire by indigenous peoples

Abstract

Hunter-gatherer peoples have utilized fire for a variety of reasons. The objective of this study was to examine their use of fire in habitat modification and resource manipulation in widely separated geographic areas. Only recently have anthropologists started to examine this facet of the hunting and gathering lifestyle. The use of the ecotone concept in anthropology was reviewed and the application of this concept to the topic of aboriginal burning was analyzed. Fieldwork for this investigation was conducted in Northwestern Alberta among the Slave Indians of the Hay Lakes Reserve, Bushe River Reserve, and Meander River Reserve. Investigations were also carried out in the Northern Territory of Australia, on Melville Island, among the Tiwi People. In Australia I studied not only the Tiwi fire technology but that of the governmental Forestry Unit as well. The field studies in Alberta and Melville Island looked at what may be termed modified systems of hunter-gatherers. The results of the work carried out here indicate that current burning practices are by and large directed by the dominant society. Their use of fire has been altered along with their traditional hunting and gathering way of life. Conservation, forestry and environmental agencies have begun to recognize the importance of prescribed burning and information pertaining to indigenous peoples burning practices is of value to those interested in present-day parks and resource management Show more