Difference between revisions of "Hunter-gatherer" - New World Encyclopedia
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As [[foragers]], hunter-gatherers are dependent upon the natural availability of food. Consequently, they are relatively mobile, moving on as their food supplies become exhausted. This nomadic lifestyle, in which all possessions must be carried, leads hunter-gatherers to rely on materials available in the wild to construct simple shelters. Thus there is rarely any building of elaborate, permanent housing or development of cities in such societies. | As [[foragers]], hunter-gatherers are dependent upon the natural availability of food. Consequently, they are relatively mobile, moving on as their food supplies become exhausted. This nomadic lifestyle, in which all possessions must be carried, leads hunter-gatherers to rely on materials available in the wild to construct simple shelters. Thus there is rarely any building of elaborate, permanent housing or development of cities in such societies. | ||
| − | However, in cases where food is abundant and reliable, a hunter-gatherer group may become [[sedentary]]. Natives of the American Pacific Northwest, for example, used flour from acorns and smoke-dried salmon for food, developing permanent settlements with substantial populations. In such cases, a combination of hunting and gathering with [[agriculture]] or [[animal husbandry]] is common. | + | However, in cases where food is abundant and reliable, a hunter-gatherer group may become [[sedentary]]. Natives of the American Pacific Northwest, for example, used flour from acorns and smoke-dried salmon for food, developing permanent settlements with substantial populations. The [[Haida]] of what is now [[British Columbia]] lived in such a rich environment that they could remain sedentary and became skilled artisans. Other groups that live in the Northwest coast can remain sedentary for a majority of the year. In such cases, a combination of hunting and gathering with [[agriculture]] or [[animal husbandry]] is common. |
==Structure of Hunter-gatherer Societies== | ==Structure of Hunter-gatherer Societies== | ||
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Hunter-gatherers tend to have very low population densities, since only a limited number of people can congregate without quickly exhausting the local food supplies. In climates that can support [[agriculture]], farmland can support population densities 60–100 times greater than land left uncultivated. | Hunter-gatherers tend to have very low population densities, since only a limited number of people can congregate without quickly exhausting the local food supplies. In climates that can support [[agriculture]], farmland can support population densities 60–100 times greater than land left uncultivated. | ||
| − | + | Nomadic hunter-gatherer societies usually have non-hierarchical social structures, unlike higher order horticultural, pastoral, and industrial societies. The mobile lifestyle means that generally they do not have the possibility to store any surplus food and thus remain on a subsistence level. [[Specialization of labor]] does not develop beyond the division of responsibilities between men (hunting) and women (gathering and domestic), as each family acquires only enough food for its own needs and has no surplus to share or trade with others. Thus full-time leaders, artisans, or other professions are rarely supported by pure hunter-gatherer societies. | |
One way to divide hunter-gatherer groups is in their return systems. James Woodburn describes this as immediate return hunter-gatherers (egalitarian) and delayed return (nonegalitarian). Immediate return foragers consume their food in a day or two after they procure it. Delayed return foragers store the surplus food. | One way to divide hunter-gatherer groups is in their return systems. James Woodburn describes this as immediate return hunter-gatherers (egalitarian) and delayed return (nonegalitarian). Immediate return foragers consume their food in a day or two after they procure it. Delayed return foragers store the surplus food. | ||
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==History== | ==History== | ||
| − | All [[archaeology | archeological]] evidence to date suggests that all human beings were hunter-gatherers prior to twelve thousand years ago, before the [[Neolithic]] Era, and an ever declining number of populations after the [[Neolithic_Revolution | Neolithic revolution]] | + | All [[archaeology | archeological]] evidence to date suggests that all human beings were hunter-gatherers prior to twelve thousand years ago, before the [[Neolithic]] Era, and there has been an ever declining number of populations after the [[Neolithic_Revolution | Neolithic revolution]]. |
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| − | The line between agriculture and hunter-gatherer societies is not clear cut. | + | The beginnings of the [[Holocene epoch]] marks the emergence of agriculture and animal domestication. However, the line between agriculture and hunter-gatherer societies is not clear cut. Many hunter-gatherers would consciously manipulate the landscape through cutting or burning inedible plants while encouraging those they could consume. Most agricultural people continued to do some hunting and gathering. Some would farm during the temperate months and then hunt during the winter. Still today many in developed countries will go hunting for food and for amusement. |
==Modern Hunter-gatherers== | ==Modern Hunter-gatherers== | ||
| − | Today hunter-gatherer groups are found in the Arctic, tropical rainforests, and deserts where other forms of subsistence production are impossible or too costly. | + | Today hunter-gatherer groups are found in the Arctic, tropical rainforests, and deserts where other forms of subsistence production are impossible or too costly. Examples of traditional hunter-gatherers that continue this lifestyle today are the [[Bushmen]] of southern [[Africa]] and the [[Pygmies]] of central Africa. Other groups do not have a continuous history of hunting and gathering; in many cases their ancestors were farmers who were pushed into marginal areas as a result of migrations and wars. It is estimated that in only a few decades there will be no more such communities. |
There are some modern social movements related to the hunter-gatherer lifestyle: | There are some modern social movements related to the hunter-gatherer lifestyle: | ||
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*sport [[hunting]] and sport [[fishing]] are recreational activities practiced by people who get the majority of their food by modern means (see also: [[fox hunt]], [[safari]]) | *sport [[hunting]] and sport [[fishing]] are recreational activities practiced by people who get the majority of their food by modern means (see also: [[fox hunt]], [[safari]]) | ||
*[[anarcho-primitivism]], which strives for the abolishment of civilization and the return to a life in the wild | *[[anarcho-primitivism]], which strives for the abolishment of civilization and the return to a life in the wild | ||
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==External links== | ==External links== | ||
Revision as of 01:34, 21 September 2005
In anthropology, the hunter-gatherer way of life is that led by human beings who obtain their food from the bounty of nature, hunting animals and gathering wild plants. It is a substistence lifestyle, practised by all early human societies. Such people are generally nomads, moving on as food supplies dwindle.
Characteristics of Hunter-gatherer Life
The hunter-gatherer society operates on a substistence level. Different societies specialize according to the available food supplies. Some hunt big game, or trap animals, while others may fish in lakes, rivers, or along the coast. An older term found in Scandinavian countries is hunter-trapper instead of "gatherer", signifying their use of complex trap systems using holes in the ground to catch elks, reindeer, etc. Typically, men are responsible for hunting and women gathering.
As foragers, hunter-gatherers are dependent upon the natural availability of food. Consequently, they are relatively mobile, moving on as their food supplies become exhausted. This nomadic lifestyle, in which all possessions must be carried, leads hunter-gatherers to rely on materials available in the wild to construct simple shelters. Thus there is rarely any building of elaborate, permanent housing or development of cities in such societies.
However, in cases where food is abundant and reliable, a hunter-gatherer group may become sedentary. Natives of the American Pacific Northwest, for example, used flour from acorns and smoke-dried salmon for food, developing permanent settlements with substantial populations. The Haida of what is now British Columbia lived in such a rich environment that they could remain sedentary and became skilled artisans. Other groups that live in the Northwest coast can remain sedentary for a majority of the year. In such cases, a combination of hunting and gathering with agriculture or animal husbandry is common.
Structure of Hunter-gatherer Societies
Hunter-gatherers tend to have very low population densities, since only a limited number of people can congregate without quickly exhausting the local food supplies. In climates that can support agriculture, farmland can support population densities 60–100 times greater than land left uncultivated.
Nomadic hunter-gatherer societies usually have non-hierarchical social structures, unlike higher order horticultural, pastoral, and industrial societies. The mobile lifestyle means that generally they do not have the possibility to store any surplus food and thus remain on a subsistence level. Specialization of labor does not develop beyond the division of responsibilities between men (hunting) and women (gathering and domestic), as each family acquires only enough food for its own needs and has no surplus to share or trade with others. Thus full-time leaders, artisans, or other professions are rarely supported by pure hunter-gatherer societies.
One way to divide hunter-gatherer groups is in their return systems. James Woodburn describes this as immediate return hunter-gatherers (egalitarian) and delayed return (nonegalitarian). Immediate return foragers consume their food in a day or two after they procure it. Delayed return foragers store the surplus food.
History
All archeological evidence to date suggests that all human beings were hunter-gatherers prior to twelve thousand years ago, before the Neolithic Era, and there has been an ever declining number of populations after the Neolithic revolution.
The beginnings of the Holocene epoch marks the emergence of agriculture and animal domestication. However, the line between agriculture and hunter-gatherer societies is not clear cut. Many hunter-gatherers would consciously manipulate the landscape through cutting or burning inedible plants while encouraging those they could consume. Most agricultural people continued to do some hunting and gathering. Some would farm during the temperate months and then hunt during the winter. Still today many in developed countries will go hunting for food and for amusement.
Modern Hunter-gatherers
Today hunter-gatherer groups are found in the Arctic, tropical rainforests, and deserts where other forms of subsistence production are impossible or too costly. Examples of traditional hunter-gatherers that continue this lifestyle today are the Bushmen of southern Africa and the Pygmies of central Africa. Other groups do not have a continuous history of hunting and gathering; in many cases their ancestors were farmers who were pushed into marginal areas as a result of migrations and wars. It is estimated that in only a few decades there will be no more such communities.
There are some modern social movements related to the hunter-gatherer lifestyle:
- freeganism involves gathering of discarded food in the context of an urban environment
- gleaning involves the gathering of food that traditional farmers have left behind in their fields
- sport hunting and sport fishing are recreational activities practiced by people who get the majority of their food by modern means (see also: fox hunt, safari)
- anarcho-primitivism, which strives for the abolishment of civilization and the return to a life in the wild
External links
- Baka Pygmies Culture and photos of these African hunter-gatherers
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Comments
This is currently an unfinished work in progress. —Jennifer Tanabe 10:02, 13 Sep 2005 (CDT)
