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Rain Rituals As A Barometer Of Vulnerability In An Uncertain Climate, L. Jen Shaffer
Rain Rituals As A Barometer Of Vulnerability In An Uncertain Climate, L. Jen Shaffer
Journal of Ecological Anthropology
Researchers and aid agencies, seeking to improve their understanding of local climate change responses, adaptation, and vulnerability, frequently interact with communities around the world who strongly emphasize their religious beliefs and practices. Dismissal and misunderstandings of these local perspectives can slow assessments of local climate vulnerability and development of adaptive capacity. In this paper, I show how analysis of rain ritual failure exposes the multiple stressors Ronga communities in southern Mozambique face, and as such, serves as a proxy measure for climate vulnerability at the local level. Oral histories and targeted interviews with participating elders, local chiefs, and community members …