GATHERING SKILLS
AND RANGES
Knowledge of what, when,
where, and how to gather is most frequently passed on through families. Over 80%
of gatherers who indicated, said that they had learned from family members.
Diverse gathering groups are fundamental to this process. Groups are more than
four times as likely to consist of two or more people than of single
individuals. Nearly all gatherers indicated that they usually harvest in groups
that include both males and females and members of two or more generations.
These characteristics contribute to the flexibility and continuity of NTFPs as
household livelihood strategies in the region: gathering skills are learned by
both genders, passed on to subsequent generations, and often adapted to the
capabilities of different stages in the life course.
Gathering skills include combined knowledge of
the ecology and economics of NTFPs. Gatherers described both the general
ecosystem characteristics in which a product might be found and the temporal and
spatial dynamics of particular gathering sites. This detailed knowledge is
frequently facilitated by both long association with the land (53% of those who
indicated were born in the U.P., 58% have family roots in the region dating back
two or more generations) and small gathering ranges (see graph below). In
response to questions about costs, several gatherers gave clear calculations of
their transportation expenses, time usage, personal exertion, and benefits from
their gathering activities. These considerations also influence gathering ranges
and facilitate the observance of gathering norms.
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