Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Branching Off

For a long time I have been interested in scientific studies of our distant relatives, the apes. Aside from the interesting genetic discoveries that indicate less than one gene actually determines whether we swing from branches or manage them, it has been most gratifying to see that come of them make and use primitive (but still clever) tools and have social orders not unlike some of our own.


Imagine my surprise this morning when I heard the announcement of a recent study indicating that male chimpanzees pay females for sexual favours with bits of meat!

This most certainly means some profound things, for instance that these creatures we call 'animals' have reasoning skills far greater than we have credited them with. I mean, they have been known to be able to communicate clearly using taught sign language, to use tools and even tree branches as weapons to settle differences. 

Recently a chimp at a zoo was mentioned as stacking up rocks to throw at annoying tourists from his zoo pen daily - indicating the ability to plan ahead (to say nothing of harboring resentment). Now it seems they understand a great deal more than hitherto assumed, concepts which were regarded as being reserved for supposedly more intelligent apes - such as basic commerce, profit, exploitation, bribery, greed - and now bedroom politics as well.

What an earth shattering revelation! This discovery could revolutionize everything from anthropology right through to medical, social and religious studies!

Perhaps it might even foster the realization that apes (like very many other non-human animals) are also SENTIENT, like us. Non-verbal perhaps, but aware - and aware of everything being done to them.

Yes, I can see it all happening already - disgruntled and zealous missionaries trooping down to the local zoos and into forests in search of chimpanzees and gorillas to start converting them to the straight (and inevitably) narrow path (I wouldn't put it past them).

I can visualize bush classes being conducted using sign language with a 'free' banana or two for those chimps who understand why prostitution is wrong (even if it is done for meat and not paper money) and why the 'missionary' position is supposedly better than doing it in the top branches of a tree, upside-down, or while swinging from a vine.

My, my, my. How far we have strayed from the trees.

______________________________________________________________

If you would like to know more about Christina Engela and her writing, please feel free to browse her website.


If you’d like to send Christina Engela a question about her life as a writer or transactivist, please send an email to christinaengela@gmail.com or use the Contact form.

All material copyright © Christina Engela, 2019.

________________________________________

No comments:

Post a Comment