Figure 11: Surama from the airplane to Georgetown 2015
A) Paulette and Daniel’s
B. Their daughter, Victorine, and her partner, Kurt’s house C. Their daughter, Caroline, and her partner, Vitus’ house
D. Their son, Birthlan’s house, in construction before he brought his partner E. Their son, Frank, and his partner, Jolyn’s house.
F. Daniel’s father, Fred, and his wife, Fransisca’s house G. Daniel’s sister, Loreen, and her partner, Jarvis’, house
H. Daniel’s brother, Bertrand, and his partner, Marcella’s, house. J. Daniel’s brother, Glen, and his wife, Jean’s house
K. Road to the Junction M. Village Office
N. Village Centre/ By the School O. The “other side” of Surama P. Paulette’s sister, Dilys’ house
Q. Daniel’s Uncle, Fred’s brother’s house R. The Ecolodge
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Acknowledgements:
I would like to thank the Jacobs Research Fund for funding part of my fieldwork.
This thesis was possible thanks to my parents' continuing support and confidence. They left me to make my mistakes, and helped me clean up the mess. Mom even edited my thesis. Thank you. I’d also like to thank my sister, who is always an inspiration.
My wife, who taught me how to deal with myself while writing, and what kinship means first-hand. I also thank her parents, who have always been more than supportive, encouraging us on this
journey.
My mates in St. Andrews; Christopher Hewlett, Juan Pablo Sarmiento-Barletti, Juan Manuel Rivera Acosta, Victor Cova, Courtney Stafford-Walter, Benjamin Bridgeman, Jonathan Alderman, Jonatan Kurzwelly, Karolina Kluczewska, Liz Hurst, Michael Southwood, and Mark Mcerlean who each shaped this thesis in their way. Giuseppe Troccoli and Angelica Cabezas for their ear, food, and friendship. They expected the best of me, and accepted whatever I could give. Molly Rosenbaum for our office conversations. Christine Lee, Raluca Roman, Priscila Santos da Costa, Hakon Caspersen, and Sandra Fernandez, thank you.
I thank Christina Toren, Huon Wardle, Paloma Gay y Blasco, Nigel Rapport, Stavroula Pipyrou, and Joanna Overing for their guidance throughout the writing process. Also, Lisa Neilson, Mhairi McColl, Adam Reed, Stan Frankland, Sabine Hyland, and Aimée Joyce for their support, and understanding. I couldn't have written this without Peter Gow, whose work has been an inspiration and whose supervision style allowed me the space to explore and develop myself. Though he said I was George Mentore’s student, and he was just polishing me up, I believe my work speaks to my mixed blood upbringing. Thanks, Peter.
George Mentore for his continued guidance and support, and who along with Roy Wagner turned me on to anthropology, and sent me to St. Andrews.Also, Laura Mentore, who always kept me in my toes. George and Laura were patient enough with me to take me to Surama, and believed in my abilities. They encouraged me to continue along this path when it seemed impossible. Thank you. My buddy, Jasper Waugh-Quasebarth, who started this voyage with me back in 2008, and who continues to be my brother.
Mis compañeros en Asuncion quienes siempre me tuvieron confianza.
Mas que cualquier otra persona, esta tesis es para mis abuelitos, Oscar, Cristina, Claude y Hugo. The best parts of me are gifts from them.
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Paulette, Daniel, Caroline, Victorine, Frank, Birthlan, Scott, Evanie, Kurt, Vitus, and all my family- friends in Surama. Thank you for your patience, love, guidance, and forgiveness.
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