ANT 201 Chapter Notes - Chapter 12: Social Control, Sodality, Early Summer
Document Summary
Definition: small foraging group with flexible composition that migrates seasonally. Made up of families living together and cooperating in economic activities. Simple bands: autonomous (independent) political units, often consisting of little more than an extended family, with informal leadership vested in one of the older family members. Formation of simple bands influenced by resource availability. Composite bands: autonomous (independent) political units consisting of several extended families that live together for most or all of the year. Big men: leaders that told people how they should act, but did not have actual authority. Could not make demands or impose rules. Formed because economic pressures required more people to cooperate and control the movements of large herds of animals. Membership in bands fluid (people would shift from one band to another) Peace chief / headman : older male member. Known for kindness, wisdom, ability to lead by influencing others. Directed the seasonal movement of the band.
