Coconuts And Violence In Sulu: Beyond Resource Competition Paradigms.pdf

This article by Yancee Orr, published in Bijdragen tot de Taal-, Land- en Volkenkunde, explores the link between coconut farming and violence among the Tausug people of the Sulu Archipelago in the southern Philippines. The author challenges traditional resource competition theories that often explain violence within human-environment paradigms.

Key Points:

1. Coconuts and Violence: Orr argues that minimal labor required for growing coconuts, the absence of 'nurturing' due to slow growth, and lack of creative skills gained from coconut cultivation contribute to making Tausug individuals and groups prone to violence.

2. Literature Review: The article reviews social science literature linking violence and the environment, focusing on theories from human behavioral ecology, political ecology, sociology, and anthropology. These theories often privilege resource competition as the primary driver behind violence and environmental interactions.

3. Tausug History and Coconut Farming: It provides a brief history of the Tausug people, highlighting the prominent role violence has played in their culture. The article then describes how coconuts are grown in Sulu and analyzes their role in fostering violence among the Tausug.

4. Alternative Explanation: Unlike common resource competition paradigms, Orr suggests that coconut farming alters the relationship between labor and culture, creating conditions that lead to violence.

5. Methodology: The research draws from a fieldwork project in Sulu, supported by various individuals and institutions, including the Loong family of Jolo and the Yale Council on Southeast Asia Studies.