Background analysis of PADINI

Background analysis of PADINI PADINI started to operate its company in Malaysias apparel industry, manufacturing, trading and supplying garments to order for retailers and distributors. The PADINI Concept Store is a concept store that selling all PADINI Holdings brands in one store or one stop shopping. The first outlet that starting to operate in Malaysia was located in Johor Bharu City Square, a shopping complex in Johor Bharu, Malaysia. After PADINI starting to operate in Malaysia, it becomes one of the major forces to apparel and garments industry in Malaysia. Besides, PADINI involved in the distribution and retail of its own fashion labels through 190 freestanding stores, franchise and consignment counters. The main products that sold by PADINI are formal,fashion wear and accessories. Besides, there are various brands that houses in PADINI and all of them are under PADINI. Every brand represents a fashion philosophy and each of the philosophy involve an extensive range of products aimed at targeted consumer. Their brand image is strongly attached importance to the real value: quality, functionality and price. There are eight unique brands under PADINI, which are PADINI ,PADINI Authentics, PDI, P CO, Seed, Miki, Vincci, and Vincci Accessories. All of the brands targeted consumer is due to both sexes and all ages. However Vincci, and Vincci Accessories are more focused on the flexible tastes of woman consumers on shoes, bags and accessories, and Seed Cafà © have open a new dimension in food operations for its company. Vision PADINI state that their vision is to be the market leader in the retail industry. They will achieve the goal through hard work, discipline and creative endeavour. In long terms, they will continue to maintain their high standard of design and manufacturing quality as well as affordability. Besides, they are also working towards expanding the business on a regional basis. At present, they have a growing presence in their neighbour countries, and we believe that there is great scope for growth. Mission The mission that set by PADINI is to create credible products that meet out target customer requirements but exceed their expectation. PADINI Core Value Caring From The Heart Caring from the heart means every staff of company must treat customers from the heart; staffs must care their customer by providing the best services. PADINIs 7 Culture Speed Simplicity Self- Confidence Communication Team Work Learning Culture Consistency Evolution of PADINI Year 1971-1990 Began operations as Hwayo Garments manufacturers Company, a proprietorship carrying out the manufacturing of ladies garments and wholesaling of the finished products to departmental stores. Expand into the trading textiles. Entered the retail industry with the companys pioneering brand PADINI. The brand VINCCI was created. Children wear was launched under MIKI brand. The SEED and ROPE labels were launched. 1991-2007 Establishment of a holding company, Home Stores Sdn. Bhd., to hold all the groups retail, wholesale and manufacturing business. The name Home Stores sdn. Bhd., was changed to PADINI Holdings Sdn. Bhd. Launched of PADINI AUTHENTICS. PADINI Holdings Sdn. Bhd. Became PADINI Holdings Berhad. PADINI HoldingsBerhad listed on the Second Board of the KLSE. PCO was launched in the second half of the year. PDI was created. The first Concept Stores was opened in Johor Bharu City Square. Seed Cafà © and PADINI Dot Com Sdn. Bhd was set up. Re-launcg of PADINI and Rope to new PADINI Workwear Listed on the Main Board of the KLSE The brand Vincci +. Vincci accessories and brands outlet was launched. STATES LOCATION Selangor AEON Bukit Tinggi Shopping Centre Sunway Pyramid Shopping Mall Ikano Power Centre 1 Utama Phase 2 Shopping Centre IOI Mall Shopping Centre Kompleks Membeli Belah, Aeon Cheras Selatan Johor Bukit Indah Shopping Centre City Square Shopping Centre Jusco Tebrau City Shopping Centre Kuala Lumpur Mid Valley Megamall Pavilion Kuala Lumpur Penang Gurney Plaza Queensbay Mall Melacca Dataran Pahlawan Melaka Megamall Pahang East Coast Mall Perak Kinta City Shopping Centre Sabah Warisan Square Sarawak The Spring Map of PADINII coverage The Location of PADINI Concept Stores In Malaysia Segmentation As a listed company with such successful result, undeniably PADINI has done segmentizing in terms of demographic, geographic and psychographic. Demographic segmentation include of dividing the market into groups based on variables likes age, gender family size, income, occupation, education, religion, race and nationality. PADINI has segmentized demographic by focusing on the factor like age, gender, income and occupation as the important factor to do the continuous targeting. PADINI has set up 8 brands, which has covered age from baby up to old ages ,gender with male and also female, income which in the range of RM1000-RM2000,RM2001-RM5000 and RM5001above,and finally occupation like office-worker and others semi formal wear which suit majority occupation. This helps the organization to divide the market into several groups and target each of these groups to enhance the performance of the organization. Next, market segmentation strategy whereby the intended audience for a given product is divided according to geographic units, such as nations, states, regions, counties, cities, or neighborhoods.  PADINI has chosen to focus on states as their geographic segmentation, for instances, Penang, Johor and Kuala Lumpur. Lastly, PADINI has also used Psychographic by dividing the industry into different groups based on social class and lifestyle to do perfect segmentation. Targeting From our research, we can say that the targeting strategies used by PADINI is differentiated marketing where PADINI target several segment by offering different products to satisfy the different groups of customer. The targeted groups of customer are derived from the age range that above 7 to 50 and separated according to age and genders. The following table is showing the different targeted groups by offering different products. Group Age Gender Product Type of product Infants and kids Below 7 Both Miki kids Casual Childrens Above 7 and below 12 Both Seed and PADINI Authentic Casual Teenagers or youngsters 12 to 18 Both Seed and PADINI Authentic Casual Adult 18 to 30 female P Co Younger style(Trendy) Adult 18 to 40 Both Seed Casual plus classic stylish designed Teenagers or adult 13 to 50 Female Vincci and Vincci Accessories Female Accessories Adult 18 to 50 Both PDI Casual stylish designed Adult 18 to 60 Both PADINI Formal Differentiation Positioning PADINI used the differentiation strategies of product and image to place the product occupies in the consumers minds. The hottest product of PADINI Seed, use the product differentiation in term of design to place the product occupies in the consumers minds. For example, when a consumer want to buy a semi-formal with classic stylish designed, the Seeds product will come into their minds before thinking of others brand. Besides, Miki kid is also one of the example of product differentiation where the design is specialty for kids. On the other hands, P Co used the image differentiation to place the product occupied in consumers minds. When a consumer want to buy a female clothes with younger style inside the PADINI, the brand of P Co may take the advantage of coming to their mind before others brands. In short, PADINI use the differentiation of professional ,stylish and fashionable to position the products in the consumer minds. Product Consumer Goods  are final goods that are brought from retail stores to satisfy the needs and wants of customers. Products of PADINI falls under consumer product which categorized as shopping products.PADINI itself has other alternatives brands under it. There are PADINI, Seed ,Pdi , PADINI Authentic , PCo, Miki maternity , Vincci , Vincci accessories , Miki kids . The essential of PDI is to emphasis the casual stylish that can be accepted in any occasion. Its purpose to let any guy or girl to get a style fix among the fashion-current jeans, T-shirts, jackets, casual basic-T, belt, socks, scarf and even accessories in a shopper-friendly setting.PADINI is focus more on basic and family lifestyle and aim for anyone who likes and extols casual style. PADINI provides the essential working lifestyle for the modern working man and women. The PADINI collection carries a clean, timeless and modern to the working lifestyle. This brand is focuses on the formal wear and centralize customers base for workers. PADINI has launched out several of tie, belt, shirt and coat. Seed is the confidence of classic and casual plus a refreshing design. Seed emphasize the best of both designs for men, women and even hip kids! The purpose is stand-out style. Seed is focus on urban office-wear for the masses. The clothes under this line are usually jackets, coats, suits, classic office pants and knee-length skirts, semi-formal skirt and belt and also classic jean. In addition to seed cafe, the cafe portrays a bright and contemporary concept which jells with seeds youthful and trendy image. PADINI authentic is more on casually yours. PADINI authentic focus their styleon quality casual wear. Its targets the teenager segment of the market. It sells modern shirt, trendy jean, jackets, shirts and stylish dress. P co is focus on female market and launched all girls skirt, necklace and also hot pants. On the same track where they run ahead in fashions brave new ideas. Women are the largest customer base for P co because they know that women are the most potential customer and most people who are willing to spend money in the fashion. Miki Kids take the message of fun in fashion to every place and occasion. Clothes design with energetic ideas and cheerful colours to charge up every youngster. Miki kids are designed for 1-11 years old infants. This is because infants still have their potential and parents are increasingly willing to spend money on their childs dress. Miki Maternity is designed for fashionable mums-to-be. Miki Maternity has sold all the shirt and dress that suit for the pregnant women at the same time stand out-style. The look of Vincci fun and fashionable, the emphasis is affordable. From head turning hair accessories to trendsetting footwear, must-have handbags to eye catching glasses and fashion-clinching belts. In addition to Vincci accessories carries one of the most extensive lines of accessories from necklaces, bangles, rings and earrings to belts, sunglasses, watches, shoes, bags and more in all the latest styles. Price Pricing are one of the most important elements of the marketing mix, as it is the only mix, which generates a turnover for the organization. Pricing is difficult and must reflect  supply and demand  relationship. Pricing for a product too high or too low could mean a loss of sales for the organization.   Designed of Seed and PADINI are more classic. Our company carries out market-skimming pricing and setting a high price for Seed and PADINI to skim revenues layer-by-layer from those willing to pay the high price. Both of these brands are premium pricing and especially for relatively high consumption of the customer base. High consumption of the customers base is those who purchase a bundle items in one time. Production of seed and PADINI are much more less than other brand this is because high consumption of the customer base would be lesser. Our company makes fewer, but more profitable sales. In addition to this, PDI and PADINI authentic and Vincci are much more affordable. Our company carries out maket-penetration pricing setting low initial price for PDI, PADINI authenthic and Vinnci to penetrate the maket deeply. Both of these brands are low cost pricing and more focus on the middle class of customer base. Product price of these two brands are low and affordable. This is because there are more middle class of customer base compare to high consumption of customer base. PDI and PADINI authentic are attracting many customers due to the low price strategy and also our company can win a large market share. Apart from this,the two brands under the MIKI flag are MIKI Kids and MIKI Maternity.Miki maternity is pay attention on the fashionable mums-to-be. This brand only focuses on the pregnant women and mums-to-be customers base and Miki kids is focus on the children customers base. Product price of this brand is quiet high and is consider as premium pricing. This is due to their customers base not wide enough Promotion do PADINI Holdings Berhad company has different promotion in every seasons . They have different seasons in every years . That is spring ,summer ,fall and holiday . Those products have expensive price will have whole year discount . On the other hand , those products have cheap price only will get discount during season period . PADINI AUTHENTICS promotion will get instant rebate RM30 with purchases of RM150 and RM70 with purchases of RM 300 . PDI Promotion will get rebate RM15 with every purchase of RM 100 . Followed by, VINCCI ACCESSORIES will get instant rebate RM10 with purchase of RM50 above RM20 with purchase of RM100 above . VINCCI Promotion will get instant rebate RM10 with purchases of RM50 above , RM20 with purchases of RM100 above. SEED Promotion will get rebate RM30 with every purchase of RM 150. PCO Promotion will rebate rm20 with every purchase of rm100 . PADINI Promotion will get rebate RM30 with every purchase of 2pcs . In addition , PADINI GROUP FAIR which known as Mega Carnival Sales will up to 70% discount .This sales will fall on March , August , December every year .Specific terms and condition will be applied on it . During sales period, customers cannot apply for member card . Member card only can apply when no sales proceed. When nearly reach end of sales, PADINI Company will have actual 10 % will add 10 % more discount on it . This is because PADINI company want clear the stock, and they want to push the sales. A companys total promotion mix is also called marketing communications mix . It consists advertising , sales promotion , public relations , personal selling , and direct-marketing tools that the company uses to persuasively communicate customer value and build customer relationships . One of the hardest marketing decisions facing a company is how much to spend on promotion. How does a company decide on its promotion budge? There are four common methods used to set the total budget for advertising. There are the affordable method, the percentage of sales method, the competitive parity method and the objective and task method . Affordable method is to set the promotion budget at the level management thinks the company can afford. Followed by , percentage of sales method is set the promotion budget at a certain percentage of current or forecasted sales or as a percentage of the unit sales price . Competitive parity method is set the promotion budget to match competitors outlay . Placement do Concept Store brings the all in one concept. So that, customers will be convenient to shop at there. Variety of modern style can be chosen by customers. All they need are inside one shop. Most of the brands outlet will located at the shopping mall instead of hypermarket. Because of the design of shopping mall more attractive. So that can attract more customers. PADINI is one of the most well-known brands in Malaysias multibillion garment industry. A brand leader involved in the distribution and retails its own fashion labels through 180 freestanding stores and in-house outlets. This includes our multi-brand stores of PADINI Concept Store and Brands Outlet. PADINI have many branches in Malaysia. In Malaysia, it divided into two parts. That is west and east. Shopping mall will be chosen as the location where the PADINI Concept store at. This is because shopping mall has more people. For example, Queensbay Mall, Gurney Plaza .It will choose only mall which is more trendy for that city . PADINI has two types of shops. It has brands outlet and PADINI concepts store. The purpose of having PADINI concepts shops is because of the concept one-stop-shopping. With all brands within reach in just one store, the shopping option is set to create a fashion revolution. In addition, certain brands specialize in items such as Graphic Tees, Polo-Tees and Pants. With such a wide variety of styles and labels, Concept Store not only caters to everyone irrespective of age, gender or taste, it also allows shoppers to mix and match effortlessly within one location ,maybe by matching with different brands merchandise to fulfill own required style. The brands are PADINI, Seed, Vincci, PDI, PADINI Authentics, P Co, Miki Kids Miki Maternity. Whereas , brands outlet is the latest exciting concept from PADINI group . Already a fashion force in Malaysia with brands such as PADINI, Seed,PDI, Vincci and PCo., the group decided to introduce a shopping experience with a difference based on key id eas of convenience, quality, variety and affordability. Concept Store can be found at Aeon Bukit Tinggi (Klang), Ampang Point (Kuala Lumpur), IOI Mall (Puchong), Ikano Power Centre (Mutiara Damansara; flagship store), Aeon Bukit Indah (Johor Bahru), Dataran Pahlawan Mall (Melaka), East Coast Mall (Kuantan) and Queensbay Mall (Penang). Recommendation After the overall marketing research regarding this company, we would make some recommendation about the product, market development, marketing technique, public promotion and sales rules and regulation. Talking about the product, PADINI has never come out with unisex merchandise, as our experience as promoter in this company, we always get this question from customer .Also, we would suggest PADINI may make some couple design since the company is already well-established, these two product may probably open a new market to new young generation as their target, the company may choose the A outlet to do market testing by coming out limited quantity. While for marketing technique, we can see PADINI has not yet to explore in the online buying. We suggest PADINI can set up a blog which contain all brands product. Before that, perhaps the company must set up an IT department to do IT support for future transaction and create a IT system to company. They may co-operate with some banks to offer discount by using online banking service. On the other hands, PADINI can also cooperate with some local distributors in the Malaysia like Citi-link or Sky Net to send out the order. Every transaction made by the customer will be shown a payment statement and it was guaranteed by the bank. Besides, the distribution of the order will directly send to the stated address according to the information stated on the order form by the customer. Then, since PADINI is already well-known in fashion industry, we believe they are able to do a fashion show by hiring professional model, wearing their new products and having a fashion show .The company may invite some fashion professional ,helping to to advertising and promote their company. Besides, the company can organize a model show or competition by wearing their new products in specific mall like Gurney or Mid Valley, this will cost lesser. Furthermore, PADINI can sponsor to some well-known ladies magazine with conditions that include few pages which advertising about PADINI new products in every publication of magazine, for example Vogue and Nirvana Women. Historical Net Profit of PADINI From Year 2004- 2010 The histogram above showed that the net profit of PADINI from the year 2004- 2010. We can see that, the net profit of PADINI is dramatically increase from 2004- 2010 with the percentage of 1% to 12.2%. Besides, PADINI state that they forecast an average annual net profit growth of 10% in year 2011 and 2012 because of the demand for the PADINI products due to their strong branding and strategic store locations, as well as improved efficiency of warehousing, inventory management, design and product mix. Stock Split Besides, PADINI also carry out the stock split program to make its stock price cheaper than before in 5 times at 6 January 2011, being the market day after the books closing date. Share split involving the subdivision of each ordinary share of RM0.50 each held in PADINI Holdings Berhad into five ordinary shares of RM0.10 each. This action is to attract more investor to invest into their company. PADINI HOLDINGS BERHAD (History earnings, dividends and share price)

Children Education Essay

With the development of world, children’s education is important for every family. Education has been developing rapidly. There are many aspects that affect children’s education. Nowadays, more and more poor children cannot go to school because they do not have enough money. However, learning knowledge and receiving education for children are very important. Each state’s education is not the same. In some countries, there are children who are educated by their parents at home rather than being taught by teachers at school. If children do not have good educations, they cannot go to good university and their ideas cannot improve their countries. In China, we have nine years of compulsory education. It is good for children and every family. According to the research, the impacts on children’s education will be analyzed by responding to the following questions: 1. How does health effect children’s education? 2. How does IQ effect children’s education? 3. How does family effect children’s education? 4. How does money effect children’s education? How does health effect children’s education? As we know, the health is important for everybody, especially children’s education. Health includes two parts. One is mental health. Nowadays, we have good quality of life and children can go to good school to study. The economic situation of many family are good, so many parents want to their children to learn piano, guitar, dance and draw etc. Children do not have enough time to do what they like to do and relax mood. The pressure of the children is very big and they will be afraid to learn. The most important of all that excessive psychological pressure will do a lot of damage. Some of children had attempted suicide because of the parents give their too much pressure. Another one is physical health. In Australia, indigenous children have lower achievement levels and education levels generally speaking. (Lyons & Janca, 2012) In some poor countries, they study in bad environment. It is easy to get some diseases. Because of the health problem, some of students get some diseases during school time, so they will miss class. If you get some disease, you will infect other people. They do not have enough money to treat an illness. It is dangerous. In order to improve this situation, the government has implemented some equality treatment policy between indigenous and non- indigenous people. How does IQ effect children’s education? Everybody have different IQ. Every parent hopes their child has high IQ because their think the high IQ of learning is very important. Some necessary factors are effect children’s IQ. About children’s mental environment, the family is important to change children’s IQ. If the parents like to use brains, this is directly related to children’s mental development. If the parents are eager to learn, children will learn as parents. If the parents just require their child to learn everyday but their do not work, like that child will not be willing to listen to you. The family relationships are also important. The single mothers and married mothers affect education is different. Each family atmosphere, emotion, quality, can effect children IQ. (Am, 2001) According to the research, between urban and rural areas the IQ of children between 6 to 11 ages will be change. Children do not have any experiences of life, the IQ will become low; the families also do not have any conditions of social material life, children’s IQ will become lower. This is not good for children’s IQ development because children cannot try any new things and they cannot know much news. How does family effect children’s education? Nowadays, parents neglect their children in preschool education, this result in many kids have lower academic level and social skills then their classmate. Pre-education was assessed for children age between 60-72 months; the early education can teach children knowledge and let them cognitive more things. Aral et al. (2012) the early education can change children become more health and can change children negative behavior. Parents can better know how to lead and support their children to success. Every parent’s education mood is not the same and the parent’s ideas are important to effect children’s education. The most important is parents had to respect them and parents should pay attention to education child way, they have to insisting on respect while still helping him move toward manhood. (Dunn, 2011) Parents need create a good environment to raise children health and improve their social skill knowledge. According to the report, parents of children are encouraged to have a positive effect. A lot of information can support this point. How does money effect children education? At present, people attach great importance to the child’s education. Nowadays, social competition is very big. The money is important for every person. Because of some economic, many children cannot go to school and they cannot get a good education. Family has rich, children can get high education but if is the opposite, children just get normal education. Most family just have one child, their parents both hope they are can learn more things and pay a lot of money for their children. The condition of their school is very good than those normal school. Their school have different classroom that teach different course. Children can learn more different knowledge and they can learn their favorite hobby. In recently year, there are many economic crisis, it would affect wealthy districts and many poor countries need the countries found. In 2006 years, court ruling that ordered the state to give each child enough money can get a good education. (â€Å"Money†, 2011). In the conclusion, children education cannot be neglected today. Kids will become the core pillar of the world in the future. So, we must be concerned with them in many aspects, such as children’s health and family problem. In both psycho-health and physical health threaten children’s develop nowadays. Reference 1. Lyons, Z. , & Janca, A. (2012). Indigenous children in Australia: Health, education and optimism for the future. Australian Journal Of Education, 56(1), 5-21. 2. Aral, N. , Baran, G. , Gursoy, F. , Akyol, A. , Ayhan, A. , Bicakic, M. , & Erdogan, S. (2012). The effects of parent education programs on the development of children aged between 60 and 72 months. Social Behavior & Personality: An International Journal, 39(2), 241-249. doi:10. 2224 3. Am, E. (2001). Stability and change in children’s intelligence quotient scores: A comparison of two socioeconomically disparate communities. American Journal of Epidemiology. 154 (8), 711-777,doi:10. 1093/aje/154. 8. 711 4. Anna, M. (2012). Pay to the order of public school X. Schoolbook. Retrieved from: http://www. nytimes. com/schoolbook/2012/03/19/pay-to-the-order-of-public- school-x 5. (2012). Education. Global action week. Save the Children. Retrieved from: http://www. savethechildren. org/site/c. 8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b. 6153015/k. E633/Education. htm 6. Shiffman, C. (2011). Making It Visible: An Exploration of How Adult Education Participation Informs Parent Involvement in Education for School-Age Children. Adult Basic Education & Literacy Journal, 5(3), 161-170. Retrieved from: www. ebsochost. com 7. Rich district, poor district. (2011). The fiscal crisis. New York, NY, 9. Retrieved from: www. nytimes. com.

An Introduction to Inti and the Inca Sun God

The Inca culture of Western South America had a complex religion and one of their most important deities was Inti, the Sun. There were many temples to Inti and Sun worship affected many aspects of life for the Inca, including architecture, festivals and the semi-divine status of the royal family. The Inca Empire The Inca Empire stretched from present-day Colombia to Chile and included most of Peru and Ecuador. The Inca were an advanced, wealthy culture with sophisticated record-keeping, astronomy and art. Originally from the Lake Titicaca area, the Inca were once one tribe of many in the high Andes, but they began a systematic program of conquest and assimilation and by the time of their first contact with Europeans their Empire was vast and complex. Spanish conquistadors under Francisco Pizarro first encountered the Inca in 1533 and swiftly conquered the Empire. Inca Religion Inca religion was complicated and incorporated many aspects of the sky and nature. The Inca had a pantheon of sorts: major Gods who had individual personalities and duties. The Inca also venerated countless huacas: these were minor spirits that inhabited places, things and sometimes people. A huaca could be anything that stood out from its surroundings: a large tree, a waterfall, or even a person with a curious birthmark. The Inca also venerated their dead and considered the royal family to be semi-divine, descended from the Sun. Inti, the Sun God Of the major gods, Inti, the Sun God, was second only to Viracocha, the creator god, in importance. Inti was higher-ranking than other gods such as the Thunder God and Pachamama, the Earth Mother. The Inca visualized Inti as a man: his wife was the Moon. Inti was the Sun and controlled all that implies: the Sun brings warmth, light and sunshine necessary for agriculture. The Sun (in conjunction with the Earth) had the power over all food: it was by his will that crops grew and animals thrived. The Sun God and the Royal Family The Inca royal family believed they were directly descended from Apu Inti (Lord Sun) through the first great Inca ruler, Manco Capac. The Inca royal family was therefore considered semi-divine by the people. The Inca himself - the word Inca actually means King or Emperor although it now refers to the entire culture - was considered very special and subject to certain rules and privileges. Atahualpa, the last true Emperor of the Inca, was the only one observed by the Spaniards. As the descendant of the Sun, his every whim was fulfilled. Anything he touched was stored away, later to be burned: these included everything from half-eaten ears of corn to sumptuous cloaks and clothing. Because the Inca royal family identified themselves with the Sun, it is no accident that the greatest temples in the Empire were dedicated to Inti. The Temple of Cuzco The greatest temple in the Inca Empire was the temple of the Sun in Cuzco. The Inca people were rich in gold, and this temple was unrivalled in its magnificence. It was known as Coricancha (Golden Temple) or Inti Cancha or Inti Wasi (Temple of the Sun or House of the Sun). The temple complex was massive, and included quarters for the priests and servants. There was a special building for the mamaconas, women who served the Sun and even slept in the same room as one of the Sun idols: they were said to be his wives. The Incas were master stonemasons and the temple represented the pinnacle of Inca stonework: parts of the temple are still visible today (the Spanish built a Dominican church and convent on the site). The temple was full of golden objects: some walls were covered in gold. Much of this gold was sent to Cajamarca as part of Atahualpas Ransom. Sun Worship Much Inca architecture was designed and built to assist in the worship of the Sun, Moon and stars. The Inca often built pillars which marked the position of the Sun at the solstices, which were celebrated by grand festivals. The Inca lords would preside at such festivals. In the great temple of the Sun, a high-ranking Inca woman – generally the sister of the reigning Inca, if one were available – was in charge of the cloistered women who served as the Sun’s â€Å"wives.† The priests observed holy days such as solstices and prepared the appropriate sacrifices and offerings. Eclipses The Inca could not predict solar eclipses, and when one occurred, it tended to trouble them greatly. The diviners would attempt to figure out why Inti was displeased, and sacrifices would be offered. The Inca rarely practiced human sacrifice, but an eclipse sometimes was considered cause to do so. The reigning Inca would often fast for days after an eclipse and withdraw from public duties. Inti Raymi One of the most important religious events of the Inca was Inti Ramyi, the annual festival of the sun. It took place in the seventh month of the Inca Calendar on June 20 or 21, the date of the Summer Solstice. Inti Raymi was celebrated all over the Empire, but the main celebration took place in Cuzco, where the reigning Inca would preside over the ceremonies and festivities. It opened with the sacrifice of 100 llamas selected for brown fur. The festival lasted for several days. Statues of the Sun God and other gods were brought out, dressed up and paraded around and sacrifices were made to them. There was much drinking, singing and dancing. Special statues were made of wood, representing certain gods: these were burned at the end of the festival. After the festival, the ashes of the statues and sacrifices were brought to a special place on a hillside: only those disposing of these ashes were ever allowed to go there. Inca Sun Worship The Inca Sun god was relatively benign: he was not destructive or violent like some Aztec Sun Gods like Tonatiuh or Tezcatlipoca. He only showed his wrath when there was an eclipse, at which point the Inca priests would sacrifice people and animals to appease him. The Spanish priests considered Sun Worship to be pagan at best (and thinly-disguised Devil worship at worst) and went to great lengths to stamp it out. Temples were destroyed, idols burned, festivals forbade. It is a grim testament to their zeal that very few Andeans practice any sort of traditional religion today. Most of the great Inca goldwork at the Cuzco Temple of the Sun and elsewhere found its way into the melting fires of the Spanish conquistadors - countless artistic and cultural treasures were melted down and shipped to Spain. Father Bernabà © Cobo tells the story of one Spanish soldier named Manso Serra who was awarded a massive Inca sun idol as his share of Atahualpas Ransom. Serra lost the idol gambling and its eventual fate is unknown. Inti is enjoying a bit of a comeback lately. After centuries of being forgotten, Inti Raymi is once more being celebrated in Cuzco and other parts of the former Inca Empire. The festival is popular among native Andeans, who see it as a way to reclaim their lost heritage, and tourists, who enjoy the colorful dancers. Sources De Betanzos, Juan. (translated and edited by Roland Hamilton and Dana Buchanan) Narrative of the Incas. Austin: the University of Texas Press, 2006 (1996). Cobo, Father Bernabe. Inca Religion and Customs. Roland Hamilton (Translator), Paperback, New Ed edition, University of Texas Press, May 1, 1990. Sarmiento de Gamboa, Pedro. (translated by Sir Clement Markham). History of the Incas. 1907. Mineola: Dover Publications, 1999.

The Endangered Species Act Protector of Nature - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 8 Words: 2508 Downloads: 9 Date added: 2019/07/03 Category Environment Essay Level High school Topics: Endangered Species Essay Did you like this example? Introduction America has lasted for thousands of years, and the native species remained untouched except for use by the native peoples. However, once colonists arrived, they started to affect and damage the indigenous species and have been for the last 400 years. In the early 1970s, a realization occurred that would change Americas relationship with the environment forever. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "The Endangered Species Act: Protector of Nature" essay for you Create order In 1973, the United States solution was to issue the Endangered Species Act in order to save the various native species going extinct and that were characterized to have esthetic, ecological, educational, recreational, and scientific value to our Nation and its people (Endangered Species Act Regulations, 2018). Although there are debates on the Endangered Species Acts protections concerning land and resources, its successes have been shown in saving hundreds of species and habitats from extinction and recover. History and Background Even before the obsession of protecting the environment in the United States, there were several occasions where species protection was given special attention (Endangered Species Act Timeline, n.d.). Beginning in 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt created the first National Wildlife Refuge in Pelican Island, Florida (Endangered Species Act Timeline, n.d.). The wildlife protected included brown pelicans, wood storks, and other threatened water birds. National Wildlife Refuges continue on today and currently protect over 300 threatened and endangered species (Endangered Species Act Timeline, n.d.). The United States also went international in their protections in 1918 when they created a treaty with Great Britain in support of Canada (Endangered Species Act Timeline, n.d.). This treaty established a system of protections for birds that migrated between the United States and Canada (Endangered Species Act Timeline, n.d.). The treaty was enforced through the Migratory Bird Treaty Act in 1918 (Endangered Species Act Timeline, n.d.). Although some wildlife protection occurred before 1960, the real breakthroughs occurred after, especially in the 1960s-1970s. The ESA was one of many environmental protection statutes passed in the 1960s and 1970s, including the Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976, Wilderness Act of 1964, Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972, Clean Water Act of 1970, and the Wilderness Act of 1964 (Baur Irvin, 2010). However, the ESA was the most disputed and strict law of them with the purpose of protecting species from extinction and even ushering them into recovery (Baur Irvin, 2010). The Act was also the strictest environmental protection law in the world (The Endangered Species Act: A Wild Success, n.d.). The ESA was passed following the 1973 conference where 80 countries signed the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in Washington, D.C. (U.S. Fish Wildlife Service, n.d.). CITES put restrictions on international trade that put wildlife species in danger (U.S. Fish Wildlife Service, n.d.). There were also previous laws that laid the groundwork for the Endangered Species Act. In 1966, Congress passed the Endangered Species Preservation Act, but it only gave limited protection for endangered native animal species (U.S. Fish Wildlife Service, 2011). This law obligated the Department of Agriculture, Department of the Interior, and Department of Defense to protect the species listed under the Acts protection, and their habitats (U.S. Fish Wildlife Service, 2011). It also gave the United States Fish and Wildlife Service the authority to obtain land and habitat for the listed species. Three years later in 1969, Congress amended the Endangered Species Preservation Act to have it also protect species in danger of worldwide extinction (U.S. Fish Wildlife Service, 2011). These additional protections outlawed the import and sale of the endangered animals (U.S. Fish Wildlife Service, 2011). Contents of the Endangered Species Act At the time of its enactment on December 28, 1973 under President Richard Nixon, there were sixteen sections all giving a deep explanation into the protection of endangered and threatened species, as well as their habitats. The United States government realized that because of increased economic expansion, many native species went extinct or were on the brink of extinction since there were no proper steps previously taken towards conservation (U.S. Fish Wildlife Service, Sec 2). Section 3 of the Endangered Species Act from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service report gives relevant definitions from the law. Some necessary explanations include endangered species which means any species that is in danger of becoming extinct in most or all of its population; and threatened species which refers to any species in danger of becoming endangered in the near future (U.S. Fish Wildlife Service, Sec 3). An important area of the ESA is section 4 where guidelines for being a listed and de listed species for the law. Listing a species pertains to the classification as threatened or endangered (U.S. Fish Wildlife Service, Sec 4). In order to become listed, a species must apply to one piece of the following criteria: current or predicted destruction of a habitat; predation or disease; not enough current precautions for regulation; exploitation scientifically, educationally, commercially, or recreationally; or other causes of threatened survival whether naturally or by humans (U.S. Fish Wildlife Service, Sec 4). For a species, being listed means that they are protected by potentially dangerous federal actions and have regulations on the sale, trade, and transport of them (U.S. Fish Wildlife Service, Sec 4). The federal government is given the ability to carry out recovery plans, buy threatened habitats, and give support to conservation agencies (U.S. Fish Wildlife Service, Sec 4). There are currently over 1,200 listed species (Westbrook, 2006). An example of a listed species is the tan riffleshell, a freshwater mussel, listed as endangered in 1977 (U.S. Fish Wildlife Service, Sec 4). Candidate species are plants and animals that can become listed to gain protection from the Act, and can currently get protected, just not legally (U.S. Fish Wildlife Service, Sec 4). However, early conservation can lower costs for future recovery and maintains preservation options (U.S. Fish Wildlife Service, Sec 4). Also. if candidate species receive anticipated aid for recovery, higher priority species can get the protection needed (U.S. Fish Wildlife Service, Sec 4). The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service defines candidate species as wildlife that have enough information on them and their status with hopes that they will become threatened or endangered, but there are more at risk species that gain priority on the list (U.S. Fish Wildlife Services, Sec 4). There are currently 286 candidate species to be listed (Westbrook, 2011). One case of a candidate species is the Gooddings onion found in Arizona (U.S. Fish Wildlife Service, Sec 4). The main objective of the ESA is delisting. Delisting is when species are taken off of the endangered or threatened species list, possibly due to finding of new populations of the species, extinction, effective recovery attempts. Downlisting is moving down from being classified as endangered to threatened, this is usually due to recovery of the species. In order to qualify for downlisting or delisting, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service checks its current status related to recovery and population, current threats, and consultations from experts inside and outside the Service (U.S. Fish Wildlife Service, Sec 4). A total of 37 species have been delisted including 13 that have recovered and 9 that have gone extinct (but 6 of them went extinct before listing) (Westbrook, 2011). After delisting, the species must be observed for five years to assure that it can survive without the aid of the ESA. One real life example of a delisted species is the American peregrine falcon which was delist ed in 1999 due to recovery (U.S. Fish Wildlife Service, Sec 4). The main focus of conservation in the law is for wildlife and habitats to recover and remain protected and thrive. New Amendments Added and Current Propositions The Endangered Species Act is an extensive and firm statute on conservation, however it has been added to in the past. The major amendments added to the ESA were in 1978, 1982, 1988, and 2004 which extended the Act without changing its actual framework (U.S. Fish Wildlife Service, 2011). The 1978 addition in section 4 entailed that the threatened habitats must be jointly listed when listing a species (U.S. Fish Wildlife Service, 2011). The revision in section 3 also said that only species of vertebrates could apply to populations when determining protection, not plants, subspecies, and invertebrates (U.S. Fish Wildlife Service, 2011). One final change was in section 5 and stated that the Department of Agriculture was required to join the Departments of Defense and Interior to in conservation of biodiversity (U.S. Fish Wildlife Service, 2011). The amendment from 1982 further added to section 4 in that the status of species needed to be judged based on trade and biological informa tion, rather than economic or outside effects of the species (U.S. Fish Wildlife Service, 2011). The 1988 amendment had several extensions. Section 4 now required candidate and recovered species to be observed; the ESA also had a more detailed explanation of recovery plans (U.S. Fish Wildlife Service, 2011). Section 9 was changed to increase protection of endangered plants (U.S. Fish Wildlife Service, 2011). This amendment also added a whole new eighteenth section that discussed finances and the requirement of a financial report (U.S. Fish Wildlife Service, 2011). In 2004, the newly implemented National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 excused the Department of Defense from certain critical habitat regulations as long as there was a natural management plan in place and has permission from the Department of the Interior (U.S. Fish Wildlife Service, 2011). Although many of the amendments were added in the latter twentieth century, proposed changes are still occurrin g today. In July of 2018, three basic additions were proposed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service (Endangered Species Act Regulations, 2018). The first proposition entailed that listing, delisting, and downlisting will use criteria including economic and other impacts to increase public knowledge about conservation and the status of the ESA (Endangered Species Act Regulations, 2018). However, the classifying processes would continue to be done based on objective commercial and scientific evidence (Endangered Species Act Regulations, 2018). The next change would be that specific protections for threatened species would be based on a case-by-case situation (Endangered Species Act Regulations, 2018). However, thousands of species are protected under the ESA which makes it difficult to provide various amounts of support for each species (Endangered Species Act Regulations, 2018). The final revision pertains to the adding as a whole to the definition of des truction or adverse modification, causing it to become more broad (Endangered Species Act Regulations, 2018). This change could make it more difficult for meeting the limit of damage to a habitat enabling for less restrictions (Endangered Species Act Regulations, 2018). There could also be a potential extension where federal agencies will no longer need consults on projects associated with critical species from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service (Endangered Species Act Regulations, 2018). These potential amendments could have a vast impact not only on the Act, but species under its protection. The Successes of the Endangered Species Act The Endangered Species Act has been quite successful in the last 45 years that it has been enacted. The Act has protected 99% of its listed species from extinction from its passage in 1973 to 2013, and has shown a 90% recovery rate in over 100 native species (Center for Biological Diversity, n.d.). The Annual Review of Ecological Systemics found that possibly 172 species would have gone extinct between the years 1973 and 1998 if they did not have aid from the ESA (Westbrook, 2006). The United States Fish and Wildlife Service researched and found that 68% of the current listed species are safe and recovering, while 32% are getting worse; however, the longer that species get protection from the ESA, the more they improve (Westbrook, 2006). Millions of acres of threatened habitat have been preserved which has aided the survival and improvements of wildlife species (Center for Biological Diversity, n.d.). Another amazing aspect of law is that it continues to have strong public support am ounting to 9 out of 10 Americans wanting a powerful Endangered Species Act (Center for Biological Diversity, n.d.). However, in the past 200 years, scientists found that about 539 species in the United States have gone extinct (Westbrook, 2011). A 2005 NatureServe database report found that over 9,000, or one-third, of native species in the United States are in danger of becoming extinct (Westbrook, 2011). One amazing success story of the Endangered Species Act at work is of the Aleutian Canada goose. The geese were almost brought to the brink of extinction because of nonnative foxes brought to the area, damage to their habit, and overhunting by humans in Oregon and California (Center for Biological Diversity, n.d.). In 1967, a very small amount of geese were found on a secluded Alaskan island in the Aleutian islands and the Aleutian Canada goose was put on the endangered species list (Center for Biological Diversity, n.d.). Their listing led to recovery efforts such as curbing the nonnative fox populations and protecting their habitats during migration located in Oregon and California (Center for Biological Diversity, n.d.). In 1980, the Endangered Species Act brought about the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge which protected the nesting habitats of the geese (Center for Biological Diversity, n.d.). In 1975, the Aleutian Canada goose population was at 790, but it increased to 60,000 in 2005 (Center for Biological Diversity, n.d.). The geese species was even downlisted from endangered to threatened in 1990, and fully recovered with becoming delisted in 2001 (Center for Biological Diversity, n.d.). The delisting of the geese was 7 years before the estimated recovery rate (Center for Biological Diversity, n.d.). Conclusion Some people see the Endangered Species Act as a limit to land development and usage because critical habitats are protected (Corn Wyatt, 2016). They also believe that the efforts of the ESA take away jobs and hurt natural resource companies like logging (Corn Wyatt, 2016). A common theme of opponents to the ESA is the non-belief in climate change which ties in with the principles of the ESA (Corn Wyatt, 2016). The power that native species can have on society is astounding. Conserving critical habitats provides water sources, natural protection from natural disasters such as floods, and areas for eco-tourism and recreation (Westbrook, 2006). Helping endangered species recover is the moral thing to do, but it also has economic advantages as well (Westbrook, 2006). Recreational activities like fishing, hunting, and watching wildlife brings $108 billion yearly and makes it the seventh biggest enterprise in the United States because of the ESAs efforts of conservation (Westbrook, 2006). These activities also provide 2.6 million jobs (Westbrook, 2006). A real example of this is in Yellowstone National Park. When the grey wolf was reintegrated into the ecosystem in 1995 due to the ESA, nearby communities gained over $10 million in revenue per year (Westbrook, 2006). Many endangered plant species have medicinal benefits. However, with the current global rates of extinction, about one major drug goes extinct every two years (Westbrook, 2006). Rosy periwinkle, a known cure for Hodgkins disease and some kinds of leukemia, was rescued from its extinction because of deforestation from protection of the ESA (Westbrook, 2006). In my opinion, the Endangered Species Act is a great addition to our country that not only gives benefits to wildlife and their habitats, but also to humans through medicines, recreation, jobs, and revenue. Therefore, if the world takes care of the animals, the benefits are endless.