That's actually the best part, and very revealing in regard to P€TA's actual concept of reality and relationship with animals. I wonder whether they took the robot panda in "Fierce Creatures" all too literally... Anyway, sorry for leading OT.
Strange and obscure folklore and sayings relating animals
Onychorhynchus coronatus
Well-Known Member
Well I'm not sure I agree with cetaceans being kept in captivity either unless necessary such as the situation with vaquita in Mexico.
However, I don't like that the death of this animal is being used by these "activists" as an axe to grind.
Onychorhynchus coronatus
Well-Known Member
I don't think PETA have ever really had a firm grasp on reality really but I think it has been notably deteriorating into an incredibly weird cult-like solpsism in recent years.
Onychorhynchus coronatus
Well-Known Member
The Sundanese community of Ujungjaya village in Java, Indonesia, have a curious folk belief regarding the Javan langur monkey which inhabits the surrounding forest.
The monkey is perceived to be the sacred incarnation of the monkey god "Lutung Kasarung" who is believed to have been sent to earth in order to protect the goddess of fertility "Nyi Pohaci" who was a diety associated with agriculture and the rice harvest.
Due to this complex folk belief rooted in the Pre-Islamic Sundanese animist religion the peoples of Ujungjaya do not hunt the langur because it is believed that the ancestors have strictly forbidden their descendants from engaging in this.
It is said that if a man was to be so foolish as to kill a monkey the ancestors would be so angered by such a profane act that they would seek terrible retribution on whoever was responsible.
Indeed the langur is not even allowed to be disturbed by people due to a fear that to do so would unleash a natural disaster that would claim many lives.
Photo credit to @Zooish.
Source: "Traditional conservation and human-primate conflict in Ujungjaya Village Community, Ujung Kulon, Banten, Indonesia", Sidik Permana et al, 2020 (Journal: Biodiversitas).
The monkey is perceived to be the sacred incarnation of the monkey god "Lutung Kasarung" who is believed to have been sent to earth in order to protect the goddess of fertility "Nyi Pohaci" who was a diety associated with agriculture and the rice harvest.
Due to this complex folk belief rooted in the Pre-Islamic Sundanese animist religion the peoples of Ujungjaya do not hunt the langur because it is believed that the ancestors have strictly forbidden their descendants from engaging in this.
It is said that if a man was to be so foolish as to kill a monkey the ancestors would be so angered by such a profane act that they would seek terrible retribution on whoever was responsible.
Indeed the langur is not even allowed to be disturbed by people due to a fear that to do so would unleash a natural disaster that would claim many lives.
Photo credit to @Zooish.
Source: "Traditional conservation and human-primate conflict in Ujungjaya Village Community, Ujung Kulon, Banten, Indonesia", Sidik Permana et al, 2020 (Journal: Biodiversitas).
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Onychorhynchus coronatus
Well-Known Member
The Javan slow loris is an animal that is greatly feared by the community of Ujungjaya in Java, Indonesia.
This is because the loris (which is known as the "kukang") is believed to be inhabited by an evil spirit entity known as the "muka Brahma" which has tremendous powers of witchcraft and delights in inflicting suffering on humans.
For this reason the loris is strenuously avoided by the people because contact with the animal is believed to always be followed by bad luck and human tragedy and sorrow.
Every part of this primates body and presence is believed to be imbued with a noxious aura of palpable evil and witchcraft.
This greatly benefits the conservation of the critically endangered Javan slow loris which due to this taboo is left alone and completely avoided by people.
This contrasts sharply with other parts of its range where the loris is greatly overexploited for traditional medicine and the illegal pet trade.
Photo credit to @Giant Eland.
Source: "Traditional conservation and human-primate conflict in Ujungjaya Village Community, Ujung Kulon, Banten, Indonesia", Sidik Permana et al, 2020 (Journal: Biodiversitas).
This is because the loris (which is known as the "kukang") is believed to be inhabited by an evil spirit entity known as the "muka Brahma" which has tremendous powers of witchcraft and delights in inflicting suffering on humans.
For this reason the loris is strenuously avoided by the people because contact with the animal is believed to always be followed by bad luck and human tragedy and sorrow.
Every part of this primates body and presence is believed to be imbued with a noxious aura of palpable evil and witchcraft.
This greatly benefits the conservation of the critically endangered Javan slow loris which due to this taboo is left alone and completely avoided by people.
This contrasts sharply with other parts of its range where the loris is greatly overexploited for traditional medicine and the illegal pet trade.
Photo credit to @Giant Eland.
Source: "Traditional conservation and human-primate conflict in Ujungjaya Village Community, Ujung Kulon, Banten, Indonesia", Sidik Permana et al, 2020 (Journal: Biodiversitas).
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Onychorhynchus coronatus
Well-Known Member
The Barí indigenous tribe of Western Venezuela are hunter gatherers and so hunt most of the animals of the forests for their sustenance.
However, they typically avoid hunting the red howler monkey due to a curious belief about the properties of the meat of this primate.
This species is believed to be lazy and stupid by the Barí and so it is believed that if a tribesman should consume the meat of the howler monkey he will absorb these qualities and become mentally defective and lazy.
Photo credit @ThomasNotTom.
Source: "The Ethnoprimatology of the Howler Monkeys (Alouatta spp.): From Past to Present", Bernardo Urbani et al, 2014.
However, they typically avoid hunting the red howler monkey due to a curious belief about the properties of the meat of this primate.
This species is believed to be lazy and stupid by the Barí and so it is believed that if a tribesman should consume the meat of the howler monkey he will absorb these qualities and become mentally defective and lazy.
Photo credit @ThomasNotTom.
Source: "The Ethnoprimatology of the Howler Monkeys (Alouatta spp.): From Past to Present", Bernardo Urbani et al, 2014.
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Onychorhynchus coronatus
Well-Known Member
The Yagua indigenous tribe of Colombia and Peru associate the red howler monkey with the hallucinogenic drug Ayahuasca which is made from the Malpighiacea vine.
The association is so closely entwined in Yagua culture that both the monkey and ayauhuasca are given the same name "ramanuji".
This is because the roaring of the monkeys is believed to be reminiscent of some of the intense auditory hallucinations that occur while under the altered state that follows the ingestion of ayahuasca.
Photo credit to @toto98.
Source: "The Ethnoprimatology of the Howler Monkeys (Alouatta spp.): From Past to Present", Bernardo Urbani et al, 2014.
The association is so closely entwined in Yagua culture that both the monkey and ayauhuasca are given the same name "ramanuji".
This is because the roaring of the monkeys is believed to be reminiscent of some of the intense auditory hallucinations that occur while under the altered state that follows the ingestion of ayahuasca.
Photo credit to @toto98.
Source: "The Ethnoprimatology of the Howler Monkeys (Alouatta spp.): From Past to Present", Bernardo Urbani et al, 2014.
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Onychorhynchus coronatus
Well-Known Member
Some animal species may be considered sacred in one region and yet seen as profane in another according to religious and cultural differences.
This is notably the case with the crab eating macaque across its range of South-East Asia.
In Indonesia there are drastic differences in the way that this species is perceived according to the island one is on and the dominant belief systems of the human population.
For example, in Bali the macaque has positive associations due to the dominant religion of Hinduism in which these animals are associated with the monkey god Hanuman and the epic tale of the Ramayana.
The macaque in Bali is therefore allowed to occupy temples across the island where they are commonly fed by local peoples.
In contast in many Muslim majority areas of Indonesia the monkey does not hold any spiritual significance because it is described as a Satanic animal within the Quran.
This may influence the perception of the crab eating macaque as a low and filthy animal and a pest and it is therefore often persecuted by local peoples.
Photo credits to @Zooreviewsuk.
Source: "Traditional conservation and human-primate conflict in Ujungjaya Village Community, Ujung Kulon, Banten, Indonesia", Sidik Permana et al, 2020 (Journal: Biodiversitas).
This is notably the case with the crab eating macaque across its range of South-East Asia.
In Indonesia there are drastic differences in the way that this species is perceived according to the island one is on and the dominant belief systems of the human population.
For example, in Bali the macaque has positive associations due to the dominant religion of Hinduism in which these animals are associated with the monkey god Hanuman and the epic tale of the Ramayana.
The macaque in Bali is therefore allowed to occupy temples across the island where they are commonly fed by local peoples.
In contast in many Muslim majority areas of Indonesia the monkey does not hold any spiritual significance because it is described as a Satanic animal within the Quran.
This may influence the perception of the crab eating macaque as a low and filthy animal and a pest and it is therefore often persecuted by local peoples.
Photo credits to @Zooreviewsuk.
Source: "Traditional conservation and human-primate conflict in Ujungjaya Village Community, Ujung Kulon, Banten, Indonesia", Sidik Permana et al, 2020 (Journal: Biodiversitas).
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Onychorhynchus coronatus
Well-Known Member
The langur / lutung monkeys feature in many of the folkstories of the Javanese which have similarities to folklore surrounding different creatures in other parts of the world.
In these tales these primates often play a role that is strikingly analagous to the frog / toad in European fairy tales.
The monkeys usually first serve as the ugly playmate or companion of a princess in a story before eventually revealing their true identity and becoming transformed into a handsome prince.
This folklore is actually beneficial for the conservation of many of these species in the region as being a staple character in childhood stories they are both well known animals to the human population and culturally significant / salient.
Photo credit to @Chlidonias.
Source: "Folktales from South East Asia: A Synonym of Ethnographic Document", Dr Supriya Mandloi, 2017 (Journal: Journal of Teaching and Research in English Literature).
In these tales these primates often play a role that is strikingly analagous to the frog / toad in European fairy tales.
The monkeys usually first serve as the ugly playmate or companion of a princess in a story before eventually revealing their true identity and becoming transformed into a handsome prince.
This folklore is actually beneficial for the conservation of many of these species in the region as being a staple character in childhood stories they are both well known animals to the human population and culturally significant / salient.
Photo credit to @Chlidonias.
Source: "Folktales from South East Asia: A Synonym of Ethnographic Document", Dr Supriya Mandloi, 2017 (Journal: Journal of Teaching and Research in English Literature).
Onychorhynchus coronatus
Well-Known Member
In India and Tibet the Ruddy shelduck is a bird that is considered to be sacred and culturally important by the adherents of the religions of Hinduism and Buddhism.
This is because the bird which is known as (the "Brahminy duck" in India) symbolizes fidelity with its monogamous breeding pairs.
The Buddhists see a greater metaphor in the fidelity of this bird which relates to the fidelity to the concept of the "four noble truths" and buddhist priests therefore wear robes that are of the colours of the plumage of these birds.
Because of this cultural and religious significance the ruddy shelduck is not killed or hunted by the human populations of these countries.
Photo credit to @vogelcommando.
Source: "Birds: Myth, Lore and Legend", Rachel Warren Chadd et al, 2016.
This is because the bird which is known as (the "Brahminy duck" in India) symbolizes fidelity with its monogamous breeding pairs.
The Buddhists see a greater metaphor in the fidelity of this bird which relates to the fidelity to the concept of the "four noble truths" and buddhist priests therefore wear robes that are of the colours of the plumage of these birds.
Because of this cultural and religious significance the ruddy shelduck is not killed or hunted by the human populations of these countries.
Photo credit to @vogelcommando.
Source: "Birds: Myth, Lore and Legend", Rachel Warren Chadd et al, 2016.
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Onychorhynchus coronatus
Well-Known Member
Within the folklore and belief system of the Mbuti indigenous peoples (known as "pygmies") of the Congo birds and mammals often have alliances.
These alliances are conceptualised as birds acting as spies who gather intelligence on the movement of human hunters in the forest and report this espionage back to their mammal master to protect its life.
The great blue turaco known as the "Cheecheechee" is believed to be the "bird of the okapi" and therefore are perceived to be the sentinels that warn the okapi of approaching hunters.
The crested hornbill "kohekohe" and the yellow spotted barbet "bururu" are believed to be the bird sentinels of the elephant and warn this animal of the approach of nearby humans.
The yellow vented bulbul "kpupele" is seen as the bird spy of the pangolin and similarly will warn this animal of human hunters closing in on it.
This perceived alliance between birds and mammals against human hunters is only natural for the Mbuti to believe in considering the difficulty of the hunter-gatherer lifestyle in the tropical rainforest of Africa:
"These explanations suggest the birds are thought to be an important source of information either for the animals or for men. Such a role of birds as "spotter" is probably based on the condition of forest environment. In the dense forest with poor visibility, it is often difficult for men to locate the animals to hunt, which also means it is difficult for the animals to perceive the approach of their enemies, men in particular. The birds flying freely over the trees, however, may see both men and terrestrial animals much more easily. Moreover, the forest birds (and arboreal monkeys) frequently exchange vocal communication, which, except for chirping of some insects, is almost the only source of auditory information in the dense and quiet forest. The Mbuti may well think the birds can quickly see what is happening on the ground. Thus, it seems rather natural that the Mbuti assign to the birds a role of "spotters."
Photo credit to @HOMIN96, @Hix , @Vision and @ThylacineAlive.
Source: "THE BIRDS AS INDICATORS OF THE INVISIBLE WORLD: ETHNO-ORNITHOLOGY OF THE MBUTI HUNTER-GATHERERS", Mitsuo Ichikawa, 1998(Journal: African Study Monographs).
These alliances are conceptualised as birds acting as spies who gather intelligence on the movement of human hunters in the forest and report this espionage back to their mammal master to protect its life.
The great blue turaco known as the "Cheecheechee" is believed to be the "bird of the okapi" and therefore are perceived to be the sentinels that warn the okapi of approaching hunters.
The crested hornbill "kohekohe" and the yellow spotted barbet "bururu" are believed to be the bird sentinels of the elephant and warn this animal of the approach of nearby humans.
The yellow vented bulbul "kpupele" is seen as the bird spy of the pangolin and similarly will warn this animal of human hunters closing in on it.
This perceived alliance between birds and mammals against human hunters is only natural for the Mbuti to believe in considering the difficulty of the hunter-gatherer lifestyle in the tropical rainforest of Africa:
"These explanations suggest the birds are thought to be an important source of information either for the animals or for men. Such a role of birds as "spotter" is probably based on the condition of forest environment. In the dense forest with poor visibility, it is often difficult for men to locate the animals to hunt, which also means it is difficult for the animals to perceive the approach of their enemies, men in particular. The birds flying freely over the trees, however, may see both men and terrestrial animals much more easily. Moreover, the forest birds (and arboreal monkeys) frequently exchange vocal communication, which, except for chirping of some insects, is almost the only source of auditory information in the dense and quiet forest. The Mbuti may well think the birds can quickly see what is happening on the ground. Thus, it seems rather natural that the Mbuti assign to the birds a role of "spotters."
Photo credit to @HOMIN96, @Hix , @Vision and @ThylacineAlive.
Source: "THE BIRDS AS INDICATORS OF THE INVISIBLE WORLD: ETHNO-ORNITHOLOGY OF THE MBUTI HUNTER-GATHERERS", Mitsuo Ichikawa, 1998(Journal: African Study Monographs).
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A similar case of birds alerting wild mammals to the approach of human hunters could be happening in Borneo, where the Bornean ground-cuckoo might be signalling the approach of hunters to the Bornean bearded pig.
Onychorhynchus coronatus
Well-Known Member
Thats fascinating @Cassidy Casuar !
This could be an actual case of a symbiotic relationship between this bird and suid.
I do think though that the cases with the Mbuti that have been recorded by anthropologists are more likely to be cultural beliefs that aren't really rooted in a biological reality but more in an interpretation of nature.
Onychorhynchus coronatus
Well-Known Member
To the Lele ethnic group of the Congo the pangolin (known as luwawa) is a singular animal and therefore is central to their religious expression.
Because the animal is so unusual in its appearance it defies categorisation and is therefore seen by the Lele peoples as a chimeric creature which possesses the power of earth, water, air and fertility.
The ease with which the pangolin is hunted is believed to be a sign that the animal gives / sacrifices itself to man and so it was viewed as a "Christ-like" figure within the Lele cosmovision.
To hunt the pangolin was taboo and to consume it under normal circumstances was a practice that was / is strictly forbidden.
However, the Lele consume the flesh of the pangolin during certain rituals of the pangolin cult in which one of these animals is symbolically sacrificed and eaten.
This is believed to increase the fertility of the group and the sacrificed pangolin is believed to honour the assembled members of the Pangolin cult by bestowing its power upon its worshippers through the gift of its life and flesh.
The anthropologists Mary Douglas and John Durham who studied the pangolin cult summarized this strange symbology of the animal as the following:
"The pangolin or scaly anteater… is a creature that evades Lele animal categorisation in several ways. It has scales like a fish, but climbs trees; it looks something like a lizard, but is actually a mammal; unlike other small mammals, it produces offspring singly and when threatened rolls itself into a ball rather than running away. Although the creature is normally regarded as totally inedible, members of a Lele pangolin cult celebrate rituals in which they eat it, so as to access the fertility inherent in its anomalous nature and be able to pass that fertility on to their people."
Photo credit to @RatioTile.
Source: - "Hunting the Pangolin", Luc de Huesch et al, 1993 (Journal: Man).
- "Animals in Lele Religious Symbolism", Mary Douglas, 1957 (Journal: Africa: Journal of the International African Institute).
Because the animal is so unusual in its appearance it defies categorisation and is therefore seen by the Lele peoples as a chimeric creature which possesses the power of earth, water, air and fertility.
The ease with which the pangolin is hunted is believed to be a sign that the animal gives / sacrifices itself to man and so it was viewed as a "Christ-like" figure within the Lele cosmovision.
To hunt the pangolin was taboo and to consume it under normal circumstances was a practice that was / is strictly forbidden.
However, the Lele consume the flesh of the pangolin during certain rituals of the pangolin cult in which one of these animals is symbolically sacrificed and eaten.
This is believed to increase the fertility of the group and the sacrificed pangolin is believed to honour the assembled members of the Pangolin cult by bestowing its power upon its worshippers through the gift of its life and flesh.
The anthropologists Mary Douglas and John Durham who studied the pangolin cult summarized this strange symbology of the animal as the following:
"The pangolin or scaly anteater… is a creature that evades Lele animal categorisation in several ways. It has scales like a fish, but climbs trees; it looks something like a lizard, but is actually a mammal; unlike other small mammals, it produces offspring singly and when threatened rolls itself into a ball rather than running away. Although the creature is normally regarded as totally inedible, members of a Lele pangolin cult celebrate rituals in which they eat it, so as to access the fertility inherent in its anomalous nature and be able to pass that fertility on to their people."
Photo credit to @RatioTile.
Source: - "Hunting the Pangolin", Luc de Huesch et al, 1993 (Journal: Man).
- "Animals in Lele Religious Symbolism", Mary Douglas, 1957 (Journal: Africa: Journal of the International African Institute).
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Onychorhynchus coronatus
Well-Known Member
The Hamydryas baboon is often known as the "sacred baboon" because of the enormous significance that this primate held for the Ancient Egyptian civilization.
However, for the Afar peoples of the Danakil region of Ethiopia this species is seen as anything but sacred and is generally viewed with contempt and persecuted.
This is because according to Afar folklore the baboon is believed to be inhabited by the condemned souls of a pagan peoples who were converted to Islam but within a single day reverted back to their pagan ways and were punished by Allah.
The divine punishment given to the baboons was to walk on all fours and to scratch out a living in the hills quarrelling with eachother during the day and to sleep amongst the caves at night.
Photo credit to @vogelcommando.
Source: "In Quest of the Sacred Baboon : A scientist's journey", Hans Kurmmer, 1997.
However, for the Afar peoples of the Danakil region of Ethiopia this species is seen as anything but sacred and is generally viewed with contempt and persecuted.
This is because according to Afar folklore the baboon is believed to be inhabited by the condemned souls of a pagan peoples who were converted to Islam but within a single day reverted back to their pagan ways and were punished by Allah.
The divine punishment given to the baboons was to walk on all fours and to scratch out a living in the hills quarrelling with eachother during the day and to sleep amongst the caves at night.
Photo credit to @vogelcommando.
Source: "In Quest of the Sacred Baboon : A scientist's journey", Hans Kurmmer, 1997.
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Onychorhynchus coronatus
Well-Known Member
Onychorhynchus coronatus
Well-Known Member
Across many areas of the Middle East the onager is still considered to be one of the animal forms that "Djinns" take.
The Djinn were / are believed within Islam to be desert dwelling spirits that are neither innately good or evil but can perform both positive or negative magic spells upon humans.
Photo credits to @gulogulogulo.
Source: "Djinns", Jan Dirk Blom et al, 2011 (Journal: Hallucinations).
The Djinn were / are believed within Islam to be desert dwelling spirits that are neither innately good or evil but can perform both positive or negative magic spells upon humans.
Photo credits to @gulogulogulo.
Source: "Djinns", Jan Dirk Blom et al, 2011 (Journal: Hallucinations).
Onychorhynchus coronatus
Well-Known Member
The nomadic and pastoralist Tuareg tribe of the Sahara have a great respect for the little sand cat which inhabits the deserts.
The Tuareg call this feline "the cat that digs holes" due to its habit of digging burrows for itself in the sands
The bravery of the sand cat is a characteristic that is admired and it is believed that they are prolific and courageous hunters of the venomous snakes which pose a threat to human life such as the horned viper and the sand viper.
It is believed that the cat will fearlessly run up to a viper and club it rapidly across the back of the head with its paws until the snake is stunned whereupon they kill it quickly with a bite to the back of the neck and eat it.
Photo credit to @hmb_zoo
Source: https://wildcatconservation.org/wild-cats/africa/sand-cat/
The Tuareg call this feline "the cat that digs holes" due to its habit of digging burrows for itself in the sands
The bravery of the sand cat is a characteristic that is admired and it is believed that they are prolific and courageous hunters of the venomous snakes which pose a threat to human life such as the horned viper and the sand viper.
It is believed that the cat will fearlessly run up to a viper and club it rapidly across the back of the head with its paws until the snake is stunned whereupon they kill it quickly with a bite to the back of the neck and eat it.
Photo credit to @hmb_zoo
Source: https://wildcatconservation.org/wild-cats/africa/sand-cat/
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It is common worldwide that other wildlife listens to alarm calls of birds. European jay is commonly called 'watchman of the forest' by hunters in Europe. Eventually interesting may be why a particular species of bird is associated with particular mammal. maybe habitat preference?
Bornean ground cuckoo is well known to follow bearded pigs and sun bears, feeding on invertebrates exposed by digging mammals. I only did not know it can ride the pigs.
