VII

Question 1

Differences between band, tribe, chiefdom and state societies?

Answer 1

Band: foragers, kin-based, leader/headman, prestige over power, marriage & fictive kin

Tribe: horticulture & pastoral, kin-based, village head/limited authority (big man), marriage & descent groups

Chiefdom: horticulture & agriculture, descent groups, inherited wealth/ascribed status, redistribution of goods, inequality

States: intensive agriculture, non-kin, regulation, stratification, inequality

Question 2

In which of these types of societies does kinship play an important role?

Answer 2

• bands/tribes

- fictive kin/descent groups

Question 3

A. How does a big man operate to secure the resources necessary to hold a feast or moka?

B. Does each village have a big man?

Answer 3

A. wealthy, investments from kin, repayment of debt + extra

B. Yes? Not necessarily a man doe?

Question 4

What is the relationship between politics and power?

Answer 4

power: control over others
authority: consent/social
politics: mix of both

Question 5

What are age grades?

Answer 5

social organization based on age

Question 6

How might chiefdoms organized the distribution of goods?

Answer 6

• flow from social class to center

- feast/potlatch to gain prestige and redistribute

Question 7

Would you expect to find more specialization of labor in a chiefdom, band or a tribal society? Why?

Answer 7

chiefdom?????

Question 8

Describe difference between wealth, power and prestige.

Answer 8

wealth: property, assets
power: control
prestige: respect, social status

Question 9

What kinds of societies have permanent political regulation?

Answer 9

• states

- chiefdoms?

Question 10

How does labor differ in industrial and nonindustrial societies?

Answer 10

industrial: commodity, rent, profit
nonindustrial: kinship, social obligation

Question 11

Difference between N!ai, a !Kung woman and Onka, a Big Man from New Guinea?

Answer 11

N!ai: foraging, shaman, group sharing, resistance to husband

Onka: prestige & moka, big man, pigs & gifts, kin investment, several wives & children

Question 12

Define Big Wife.

Answer 12

• Betsileo of Madagascar

- main wife in village where man’s best rice field is cultivated, spends most time with her

Question 13

Define song battles.

Answer 13

• Inuit

- songs of insults, stolen wife may stay with abductor

Question 14

Define sodalities.

Answer 14

secret societies, non-kin

Question 15

Define stratification.

Answer 15

system of socioeconomic strata