This atlas is very valuable and attractive book about the subregion of the northern Luzon Cordillera known as Ifugao. It contains Conklins deep report and analysis of Ifugao environment, society, and culture. After you read this atlas, you can be a specialist on Ifugao. I will discuss about eight topics: the author, review of what the atlas covers, evaluation of the sources used for the atlas, three specific maps, assessment of the best and worst aspects of the atlas, how the atlas stands as an example of cultural geography, and evaluation of the presentation and effectiveness. .
The author, Harold Conklin (1926-present) had been a famous professor at Yale University since 1962, and he just retired in 2000. He has done linguistic, ethnographic and ethno biological studies in Southeast Asia and in Central and North America. Also, he has been many places to study things from farming. Mainly, He studied in the Philippines especially about the Ifugao people. He has written eleven books, and one of his publications, The Study of Shifting Cultivation is best known for his studies. He is distinguished about ecological description with maps. He has served as Chair of the Anthropology Department, Director of Graduate Studies, and Head of the Division of Anthropology. I think Dr. Conklin definitely has a qualification to do this atlas.
References:.
•Conklin, Harold C. The Study of Shifting Cultivation. Washington: Technical Publications, 1963.
• http://www.yale.edu/anthro/people/faculty/hconklin.html.
In general, Ethnographic Atlas of Ifugao covers the land use of Ifugao, the land and society, the agricultural year with lots of black and white photos, and full-color series of map plates. Above all, it discusses about Ifugao agricultural life rather than others. I think it is because agriculture represents Ifugao culture. Their agricultural life shows environmental adaptations and resource management.