Patterns of Subsistence

 

6.  Patterns of Subsistence                                                            Name __________________

1. Foraging

Ancient subsistence pattern, no exclusive foraging societies still exist

Almost every man a hunter, every woman a gatherer

No permanent year-round settlements

• Pedestrian – Aborigines, San of S.W. Africa, California Indians and Paiutes
• Peaceful, democratic, women have some power
• Equestrian – Great Plains Indians, Southern Argentinian grasslands
• Hunt on horseback, warlike, male-dominated, raiding/stealing is path to respect, buffalo is primary source of calories
• Aquatic – Inuit, Kwakiutl
• Subsist on marine life, reliable and productive life, politically powerful men

Cultural Traits

Is not a short, miserable existance.  Just because tech is simple, does not mean it’s grim

Foragers lived well into old age (60), longer than turn of the 20^th century Americans (50).

Adults work 15 hours a week to provide for entire community (US work 40-50 hrs/wk)

2.  Pastoralism

People make living by tending large herds of large animals

The Best use of grassland in an unpredictable climate - nomadic

• Horses – Mongolia, (little bit ranching in N America)
• Cattle – E Africa
• Sheep/Goats – Southeast Asia
• Camels – Southwest Asia/North Africa
• Reindeer – Lapps / N. Mongolia

Cultural Traits

Fresh meat is distributed fairly and ritual killing of herd animals feeds Gods and people

Men make quick, assertive decisions and own herds

Women raise children, domestic chores, have little power

Men are respected for their self-control and bravery as they must increase territory

Very successful in war because they are a moving cavalry that forages

3.  Horticulture

Small scale, low intensity farming, part time tending and planting of domesticated plants and animals

High population density – more productive than foraging, but more labor intensive

In the past, most societies were horticultural, now only exist in:

• Amazon Basin
• Congo Basin
• Southeast Asia

Shifting field use, slash and burn techniques, plant, then move every few years

Know very much about farming and when field shifting is taken away, the result is soil depletion and poverty

Can be very warlike with periodic raids on neighboring villages.

4.  Intensive Agriculture

Primary subsistence pattern of large-scale populous societies

Made possible by domestication of field animals and irrigation in large populations

Ancient – Egypt, Mesopotamia (Iraq and Syria), India, Pakistan, N China, MesoAmerica, Andes

Now- Primary food production pattern in all developed nations except where it’s very dry or cold using large scale industrial techniques.

Produced Major Social Changes

Year Round settlements –> Village markets –> Towns -> Cities

Complex divisions of labor - Urban centers occupied by specialists - Social Classes

Farmers lose political power – power goes to “kings” – little sharing of natural resources – women have little status or power

Currently

Major war, major disease / epidemics, increase in knowledge and life expectancy, change from a large family to just a nuclear family that moves often.

Move from physical power to mental power, therefore, women have gained power somewhat

Summary

The four subsistence patterns are

1.  Foraging

2.  Pastoralist

3.  Horticultural

4.  Intensive Agriculture