Ju/'hoansi

1. What are the available food resource opportunities for the Ju/'hoansi in the Dobe Region?
"Plant foods make up he majority of their diet.... more than a hundred varieties of edible plants..." In a single gathering they can gather enough food to last ten days. The most important plant being the Mongongo nut which is their main source of protein, however they do hunt as well which is about 30% of their diet.


2.  What part of the Ju/'hoansi social organization was most interesting to you?
I was very impressed with how Women are able to be elders and are treated as equals. In many cultures, especially older ones, this is not common.

Their Marriages also interest me greatly. Although first marriages are arranged, a woman can show their displeasure at the wedding ceremony (which involves forcably taking the bride from her hut in a "capture") by fighting, kicking, and screaming. If this occurs, then there is a great chance the marriage will not happen. Also, divorce is not uncommon. This really surprised me when i compare it to other cultures i have learned about this year. These women are surprisingly independent and the fact that Divorce is not frowned upon, and often expected (with first marriages) really impressed me.

3.  What are the major issues for the Ju/'hoansi today?
Health - Because the former diet could no longer be kept up due to restrictions on hunting and their ability to forage, with borders and fences being built, hypertension and heart disease began to show up in the people. Add that with cigarettes and alcohol and the problem multiplies.
Food/Starving - Due to no longer being able to live as they had before the Ju were forced to depend on the government's food distribution programs. When that ended they were left in a very lean state and unable to predict how things would progress. eventually the government would provide rations.
Overcrowding - combining the first two issues with the fact that reservations were basically established that held a thousand people when only desgned to hold 275 people led to other issues such as family violence.


4.  In your opinion, what can we learn from the Ju/'hoansi culture?
I think what we can learn from them is generosity. By working together thy can gather enough food to last for days in just one trip. When meat is accessible, it is eaten in a joyful feast and it is made sure that everyone gets a fair share.Americans like to think of themselves as generous, sending help to other countries in times of disaster, but when it comes to our own people we turn a blind eye as a whole. I think that the teamwork and fair treatment/dispersion of food, which i would call generous, is what we can learn from the Ju/'hoansi.

One other thing i feel we can learn from the Ju is their humility. Although I don't particularly like how they bash and talk down a hunter's kill, i do like how they avoid overly boastful people. In America many people are quick to brag and let any success go to their head. Being arrogant and cocky has actually been a stereotype for Americans in several movies and books that i have read. To be honest i feel this is kind of accurate for American society and culture, which is why their humility is something i think we should keep in mind.