Kandles By Teduray Summary

The difficulties Schlegal experienced throughout his time completing his fieldwork was evident; it was apparent that as immensely as he wanted to be with his family; but also was passionate about allowing himself to focus in the field and truly learn the ways of the Teduray. Although he felt at the time that he was balancing everything as well as possible; as his wife discussed with him in later years, there was much more complexities experienced by his family than he was aware.

Teduray treat each other equal in every way, even with regard to how legal disputes are resolved and Western society has the complete opposite view of inequality and coercive power with regard to law. Schlegal it appeared struggled to understand not the spiritual belief or rituals performed with regard to the forest; but
During “Kanduli” singing, women playing bamboo zithers, homemade flutes play; a large basket is brought to center by two young men; remaining family members line up with their own small basket of rice saved from ritual plot/mixed with spices; the shaman stands by basket as rice is poured into a blend of rice family has; there is a short speech welcoming spirits; then main basket placed in water at the river; then removed and cooked with chicken/egg put in tubes offered in the spirit.

The abundance of sustainable items derived from the forest; such as; food, household products and the training in gathering these nuts, fruits, products used to make soap and other household goods from a young age within the Teduray, economically was quite impressive to Schlegal and me. Although the Teduray do not believe in hierarchy and do not assign roles; they do have specialties roles such as; fisherman, basket weaver, legal, or shaman. All Teduray have at least one if not more specialty and storytelling is a specific one in which “old ways” of telling must be possessed by the