FOOD & SOCIETY Pre - state societies

food and society The relationship between society and food both shapes and is contingent on the TYPE of society. division of labour, economic distribution, social organization, population size, ideology simple, complex, pre state, state, egalitarian, inegalitarian These variable make up a society’s SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT The relationship between society and food both shapes and is contingent on the TYPE of society. division of labour, economic distribution, social organization, population size, ideology simple, complex, pre state, state, egalitarian, inegalitarian These variable make up a society’s SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT BiophysicalenvironmentBiophysicalenvironmentTechnology/economyTechnology/economy PopulationPopulation Social Organization IdeologyIdeology

Societal organization Societies can be classified in many ways. The most common and best established way to classify a full range of societies is the Technological Evolutionary Topology. The system distinguishes between societies according to their primary subsistence technology. The system distinguishes between societies according to their primary subsistence technology. Subsistence technology is defined as “the technology that is used by members of a society to obtain the basic necessities of life.” There is a strong causal relationship between the way a society adapts to its biophysical environment, via its subsistence technology and many other features: demographic characteristics (size, density) its social organizations well as its culture

6 type Technological Evolutionary Topology. Hunting and Gathering (foragers) Simple horticultural societies Advanced horticultural societies Simple Agrarian societies Advanced Agrarian societies Industrial societies Hunting and Gathering (foragers) Simple horticultural societies Advanced horticultural societies Simple Agrarian societies Advanced Agrarian societies Industrial societies

Societal organization Another way societies can be classified is: The Social Evolutionary Topology. This system is based on the social complexity This system is based on the social complexity relative degrees, and different kinds of social complexity. relative degrees, and different kinds of social complexity. How simple or complex they are in their social organization How simple or complex they are in their social organization What that simplicity and complexity is composed of What that simplicity and complexity is composed of

6 type Social Evolutionary Topology. PRE STATE STATE TRANSITIONAL Band society Tribal Societies (Tribe) Chiefdom Society Agrarian state society Industrial state societies Advanced industrial societies Band society Tribal Societies (Tribe) Chiefdom Society Agrarian state society Industrial state societies Advanced industrial societies simple complex

BAND societies BAND society was the original / earliest form of human society. society It is also considered to be the simplest: It has the smallest # of social units (roles, groups, institutions etc.) BAND society has the lowest population density of any societal type. They have relatively stable populations (BR = DR) / individuals Generally consists of a small kin group, no larger than an extended family or clan. extended familyclanextended familyclan It has been defined as consisting of no more than 100 individuals. Their settlement pattern is NOMADIC For several months of the year the BAND could be as large as 100 people This was a ‘social ‘ phase The rest of the year the BAND would be between individuals This was a ‘private’ phase BAND society was the original / earliest form of human society. society It is also considered to be the simplest: It has the smallest # of social units (roles, groups, institutions etc.) BAND society has the lowest population density of any societal type. They have relatively stable populations (BR = DR) / individuals Generally consists of a small kin group, no larger than an extended family or clan. extended familyclanextended familyclan It has been defined as consisting of no more than 100 individuals. Their settlement pattern is NOMADIC For several months of the year the BAND could be as large as 100 people This was a ‘social ‘ phase The rest of the year the BAND would be between individuals This was a ‘private’ phase

TRIBAL societies A TRIBAL society is larger, denser and more social structurally more complex than a band society. TRIBAL societies have COMPLEX kinship system TRIBAL societies have COMPLEX kinship system The tribe can consists of anywhere from individuals. Their are 2 types of settlement patterns: Semi permanent (associated with ‘slash and burn’) Permanent (where environmental conditions were optimal) A TRIBAL society is larger, denser and more social structurally more complex than a band society. TRIBAL societies have COMPLEX kinship system TRIBAL societies have COMPLEX kinship system The tribe can consists of anywhere from individuals. Their are 2 types of settlement patterns: Semi permanent (associated with ‘slash and burn’) Permanent (where environmental conditions were optimal)

Band societies Hunting and Gathering (foragers) * also fishing Subsistence economy: Consume what they produce Consume what they produce No division of labour Division by sex and age Division by sex and age Egalitarian social unit Technology Human muscle power Human muscle power Poison tip spears Poison tip spears Food distribution: Reciprocity : involves exchange amongst kin: The mutual sharing of surpluses in the form of reciprocal giving. Reciprocity : involves exchange amongst kin: The mutual sharing of surpluses in the form of reciprocal giving. Hunting and Gathering (foragers) * also fishing Subsistence economy: Consume what they produce Consume what they produce No division of labour Division by sex and age Division by sex and age Egalitarian social unit Technology Human muscle power Human muscle power Poison tip spears Poison tip spears Food distribution: Reciprocity : involves exchange amongst kin: The mutual sharing of surpluses in the form of reciprocal giving. Reciprocity : involves exchange amongst kin: The mutual sharing of surpluses in the form of reciprocal giving. Horticulture cultivation form of gardening that involve only the planting, weeding, harvesting and storage of foodstuffs. NO USE OF the plow, draft animals, fertilization, crop rotation. NO USE OF the plow, draft animals, fertilization, crop rotation. Irrigation is simple Irrigation is simple Hunting and gathering and fishing PASTORALISM (the breeding and caring of animals) Egalitarian social unit Technology: Hoe or digging stick Hoe or digging stick Small plots of land - shift from place to place Small plots of land - shift from place to place Food distribution: Reciprocity : involves exchange amongst kin: The mutual sharing of surpluses in the form of reciprocal giving. Reciprocity : involves exchange amongst kin: The mutual sharing of surpluses in the form of reciprocal giving. Horticulture cultivation form of gardening that involve only the planting, weeding, harvesting and storage of foodstuffs. NO USE OF the plow, draft animals, fertilization, crop rotation. NO USE OF the plow, draft animals, fertilization, crop rotation. Irrigation is simple Irrigation is simple Hunting and gathering and fishing PASTORALISM (the breeding and caring of animals) Egalitarian social unit Technology: Hoe or digging stick Hoe or digging stick Small plots of land - shift from place to place Small plots of land - shift from place to place Food distribution: Reciprocity : involves exchange amongst kin: The mutual sharing of surpluses in the form of reciprocal giving. Reciprocity : involves exchange amongst kin: The mutual sharing of surpluses in the form of reciprocal giving. Tribal societies

Digging sticks

Yanomami Tribe

Yanomami semi permanent ‘village’ Band shelter