17 Aug In this assignment, we will explore the importance of reciprocity in foraging cultures.
ASSIGNMENT DESCRIPTION:
THE GOAL OF THIS ASSIGNMENT IS TO CHALLENGE SOME OF OUR POPULAR MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT FORAGING SOCIETIES. ONE ASSUMPTION FREQUENTLY MADE BY MOST WESTERNERS IS THE IDEA THAT FORAGERS ARE CONSTANTLY STRUGGLING TO FIND FOOD AND ARE ALWAYS ON THE BRINK OF STARVATION. ANTHROPOLOGISTS, HOWEVER, HAVE LONG NOTED THAT FORAGERS WORK A MERE 20 HOURS A WEEK AND RARELY FIND THEMSELVES HUNGRY. HOW COULD THIS BE?
INSTRUCTIONS:
In this assignment, we will explore the importance of reciprocity in foraging cultures. We began with each of us exploring our neighborhoods to find food resources and then sharing that food resource to our community Padlet Board. Imagine if that Padlet Board was real and that we were all living in a foraging culture. This would mean that each of us went out to forage for food and brought back one item. Now consider what would be like if you only had that one item to eat. Would this be enough for you? Would this one item be a balanced, healthy diet? Did you remember to also look for water? Now imagine that instead of being limited to this one food item, you get to exchange items with our community!
START BY REVIEWING THE ARTICLES WE READ ABOUT RECIPROCITY AND FORAGING CULTURES:
Richard Lee: Eating Christmas in the Kalahari.pdf
Turnbull: Excerpts from The Forest People.pdf
Now you are ready to think like an anthropologist! Please write a short essay (about 2 typed, 12 point font, double spaced pages), that considers the following question:
- PROMPT: How does reciprocity help foragers to rarely experience hunger and starvation?
