2 of 2

Write now Article Tools

Page 2 of 2

with less conflict. Child birth rates have to be slow because not only is it hard for a mother to carry around young children while traveling, but providing nourishment and protection would also prove difficult. Keeping possessions or an excess of food would be impractical for a society that must carry everything they have for many miles. These groups have free time because the energy of foraging is directly converted into food; a tactic that is actually quite efficient rather than primitive. It is also logical that they should both be highly egalitarian, because in such small groups needs and jurisdictions can be carried out directly without the aid of spokesmen or representatives.

From the many similarities between the !Kung and Aboriginal foraging groups, it can be concluded that the way that a group subsists defines many or all aspects of life. In addition, this subsistence is entirely dependent on the environment in which the group lives. All aspects of the foragers' lives revolve around their land- their love and respect for it. In extreme environments, groups evolve similar ways to survive and similar philosophies on life and community. Many people consider this form of life to be primitive or as simply a transition to the "advanced" life of commercialism. They even call foragers lazy. These ideas show the contrast of values that foragers have as compared to the values that industrial societies have. However, both the !Kung and the Aborigines have developed survival tactics highly holistic and sustainable in the desert environment. Hopefully someday we can achieve that level of advancement.

Learn more about this author, Min White.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

• << previous page
• 1
• 2

Add your voice

Know something about Foraging cultures in Africa?
We want to hear your view. Write now!