Local Ecological Knowledge from an Anthropological Perspective: An Ethnographic Investigation Based on the Lopliks

Since the concept of "local knowledge" proposed by Clifford Geertz was introduced into ecological anthropology and cultural anthropology, local ecological knowledge has remained a hot research topic. The Lopliks have long lived on the desert fringe of the extremely arid Lop Nur region in the southeastern part of the Tarim Basin, Xinjiang, China. Based on their adaptation to the harsh ecological environment, they have developed a rich and effective local ecological knowledge system. This paper aims to explore the traditional local ecological knowledge of the Lopliks,mainly focusing on the economic and cultural foundations, main content, types, and the underlying cultural logic of the local ecological knowledge of the Lopliks. This article primarily employs qualitative research methods, specifically adopting anthropological fieldwork, delving into the living environments of the subjects, and obtaining a large amount of firsthand data through in-depth interviews, participant observation, and other means, laying an important foundation for the analysis presented in the article. The traditional ecological knowledge system of the Lopliks is built upon their cognition of the surrounding ecosystem. These local knowledge and cognitive schemas are integrated with their diverse religious beliefs, cosmology, and cultural customs, fully demonstrating their strong vitality and cultural rationality in adapting to specific ecological environments and protecting the ecosystem. By examining local values, belief systems, social structures, and ritual traditions, anthropology provides unique insights into the interplay between culture and the environment. This allows us to uncover the ecological wisdom, significance, and value embedded within local cultures, and identifying the root causes of environmental problems and potential solutions derived from the local cultural context.

the Lopliks, the Lop Nur Region, anthropology, multifaceted economy, adaptation, ecological environment, ecological consciousness, folk beliefes, local knowledge, taboo