Patterns of subsistence

A detailed Summary of Patterns of subsistence

Culture, as defined by Haviland, is " The ideals, values and beliefs members of a society share to interpret experience and generate behavior." The three patterns of subsistence, Hunter-gather, Horticultural and Pastoral, all have unique cultural characteristics. Hunter-gather, the oldest of the three means of subsistence, relies only on what resources can be drawn from nature. Hunter-Gathering is one of the most efficient means of survival and produces no surplus. Tribes of this nature can usually be found in areas unsuitable for Horticulture. Horticulture, sometimes known as extensive cultivation, originated some 9000 years ago and consists of the care of several species of plant life and of some gathering(Barger, 2000, pA104). Horticulturists are found most often in tropical forests and employ a slash and burn method known as swidden farming(Haviland, 1999, p176). Pastoralism in the words of Haviland is the practice of "animal husbandry" or the "production of reco!

urses that never existed in nature in that form." Pastoral societies practice nomadism and have hard lives. This essay will show the cultural differences between Hunter-gathers, Horticulturalists and Pastoralists and why they are important for that cultu

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Pastoralism is unique in it's form of governance in that it has some very different policies than the other two means of subsistence. For one thing the means of leadership is both ascribed and achieved which probably has to do with the fact that a larger group is concerned(Barger, 2000, p. A104). Sometimes, there are strict rules of conduct in pastoral societies in addition to social bonds and fear of shame. The Bakhtiari have their own system of justice and government which is controlled largely by the men as they own the flocks(Haviland, 1999, p.183) As with the other two they seem themselves as part of nature. The values of a pastoral societies differ in that they value hard work and achievement and a person's responsibility to their family and group(Barger, 2000, p. A104). I think this reflects the fact that in Pastoral societies a person must work harder to survive and provide for every one.

division of labor in which the men own and care for the flocks(herds) and the women cook, sew, and care for children for the main reason of physical ability.

Haviland, William (1999). Cultural Anthropology. Fort Worth: Harcourt Brace College Publishers.

Pastoralists live in large groups of 50 to 1000 individuals as there is no limit to the amount of people that can be provided for as is it with the other two subsistence. There are two types of Pastoralists: Transhumance and true nomadism(Barger, 2000, p. A104). Transhumance is a form of nomadism which follows the seasons in order to find better grazing for their flocks and usually contains a large permanent village in which the females reside. A prime example of transhumance is that of the Bakhtiari who follow a strict pattern of seasonal migration. They move from their winter quarters in the plains that border Iraq to their summer quarters in the mountains taking their entire society with them(Haviland, 1999, p182). True nomadism consists of year round nomadism and the movement of the entire group. Pastoralists societies in some cases rely on local farmers for the trade of animal products for things unavailable to the nomads such as vegetable products. There is a strict!

Horticulturists live in semi-sedentary villages of 50-500 individuals as horticulture can support a higher concentration of persons(Barger, 2000, pA104). The villages move to a different location when the soil is exhausted. A u

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Approximate Word count = 1656
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)

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