The Yanoman :: essays research papers

The YanomanThis ethnography is about the Yanomam. Most people will think of thesepeople as primitive. But we do not consider the fact that these people interpret atus and call us primitive and subhuman. This is why it is important to samplethese people with an unbiased mind.The Yanomam atomic number 18 Indians that live widely scattered in southern Venezuelaand northern Brazil. They usually live in villages of 75 to 80 people. But there ar villages in which there are as little as 40 people or as many another(prenominal) as 250 peoplein a single village.The Yanomam live by a combination of horticulture and foraging. Eachhousehold in the village clears their let land and cultivates it themselves.Chiefs, who have to situate off more food to meet their promise to providehospitality, comm notwithstanding receives help from others. A village can produce all ofits needs from only three hours worth of work per person. atomic number 53 characteristic of the Yanomam is that they are accustomed toviolence. Violence is a part of their lives because of their value and culture.Because of this, the Yanomam live in a constant state of warfare. Warfareappears as a main interest supported by a set of beliefs urging strong villagesto take advantage of the weaker ones.A regular serial publication of degrees of violence has been institutionalized. Itranges from chest pounding to side slapping. Both are potential to cause injury ordeath.The Yanomam do not utilize more than technology except in their weapons. Themain weapon produced by the Yanomam are arrows. They make arrows that are sixfeet long. These arrows are very accurate. Arrows not only serve as weapons butas valuable possessions that are usually exchanged as gifts among the Yanomam.Villages that are nearby may sometimes ally. peerless reason in which theally is so that they can team up against another larger village. In order todemonstrate their friendship towards severally other, the two villages trade andfea st.The men drug themselves on a nonchalant basis with a substance called ebene.It causes for the eyes to become watery. Another yield of this drug is andexcessive production of mucous. The recipient allows for the mucous to dripfreely from each nostril. It is believed among these people that the usage ofthis drug will have an launch in which bad spirits are relieved of.The dead are highly respected in this culture. Once a person dies, it is disallow to mention the separate of the person ever again. It is considered anoffense to mention the name of a family member that has passed away.