Ieasa Custer- Appalachia Spring Water Community. 7 (outside ‘reading’)

 While attending an anthropological conference in Georgia I attended a lecture on the Spring Waters in Appalachia. The undergraduate student that had presented this work had completed his ethnographic study with the question “what value do people find in Appalachia spring waters.” His fininding were very interesting and speak to some of the topics we have discussed in class. First, he found that people come to collect water from these springs due to tradition. Their elders did it and they now carry on the collection as a way to feel connected to their ancestors as well as the environment around them. The second reason was for the environment and freshness. People found that drinking from these water sources helped them feel more fresh and cool then the tap or bottled water they may drink. They felt this due to being able to take it directly from the sources and knowing where it came from. Lastly, he found people do it for the community. They have made friends while collecting the water and built relationships while giving out the water.This has to be a strong community due to its ties to the environment and a communal source. I feel as though community and environment meld together well in many situations. 


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