Political anthro ANT 101(3).part 2 PDF

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lecture notes from the political part 2...

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There are no formal institutions and therefore there is no formal legal system. But people can use mechanisms to resolve disputes. Examples from the chapter include duels--these are like rapping duels (p. 4) and ridicule. Disputes can escalate into "war" but this is an informal fight not an organized war (p. 5). Causes for violence often are due to disputes over access to women. Tribes Tribal societies are larger in population size than bands. They have more formal structures of political organization. But there are no centralized political structures. There is no formal means of coercion. The tribal leader, therefore, has to be persuasive. He gains leadership by persuasion. Anyone and everyone can potentially be a leader. Senior men often though are chosen. There is more economic inequality in tribes than in bands, but no one is expected to be deprived of the means of survival. Example of the Big Man in New Guinea. In New Guinea, leaders of tribes are male. Other than that their qualifications can differ by person. "The big man is one who has acquired followers by doing favors they cannot possibly repay, such as settling their debts or providing bride-wealth (wealth needed to get a wife). He might also acquire as many wives as possible to create alliances with his wive's families." (p. 5) It seems the Big Man gains power and influence, as well as status, through his largess (literally). He accumulates wealth in women and pigs. He gains influence by feasting and sharing and shaming the less connected and wealthy members. His generosity helps him gain influence and power. As the author notes, each man must prove his worth. His son, in other words, is not necessarily next in line (p. 5). Sodalities: ways of connecting people outside of kin group, such as by age. Age sets: categories of men assigned membership at birth (like a generation) Age grades: groups of men close in age to each other who share duties and responsibilities Age set example p. 6: Tiriki of Kenya As kids are born they enter into a group. The group closes when it is considered filled. This then becomes an age set. They pass through stages of life with differing roles and duties as a group. see the chart on page 7...