Fróðskaparrit - 01.01.2005, Side 54

52 GREAT NORTHERN DIVER (GAVIA IMMER) IN CIRCUMPOLAR FOLK ORNITHOLOGY
Great Northern Diver
(Gavia immer)
Summer
Winter
Distribution of Gavia immer (Map sources: B. Muus, F. Salomonsen, C. Vibe, Grønlandsfauna. København
1990; Handbook of the birds of Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. 1. Oxford 1978; J. Ó.
Hilmarsson, íslenskur fuglavísir. Reykjavík 1999; U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.)
between science and other systems of
knowledge in contemporary western cul-
ture. Consequently, the investigator is
likely to be confronted with what may, at
first sight, appear to be an unsystematic
blend of detailed, credible information,
mystical ideas and superstition. It is im-
portant to realize that such a mixture of
what Europeans might consider rational,
empirically based knowledge and mysti-
cal or supernatural beliefs must be under-
stood within its cultural context” (Bulmer
and Healey, 1993: 43-44). It must also be
remembered that traditional knowledge is
not necessarily only local. The beliefs can
be shared over large areas and coincide
with the entire range of a certain species
(Svanberg, 2001; 2002; 2004b).
Traditional knowledge about birds and
other animals has been integrated in the
scientific growth of knowledge for centu-
ries, while other material has been dis-
carded.
Divers
Divers have always played an important
role in the folk ornithology of people of
the circumpolar area. Peasants, hunters,
herdsmen and others wandering in wetland
areas and forests are well acquainted with
their call, which can be heard over long
distances in the evenings. Sometimes fish-
ermen at sea have also encountered them.
Five species exist within the area. The
black-throated diver (Gavia arcticá) and
red-throated diver (Gavia stellata) have