Household and kin provisioning by Hadza men

Wood, Brian; Marlowe, Frank

article

Household and kin provisioning by Hadza men

Human nature • 24 • Published In 2013 • Pages: 280-317

By: Wood, Brian, Marlowe, Frank.

Abstract
This article tests several theories about the evolutionary-ecological forces and politico-economic processes influencing the foraging and food sharing behavior of Hadza men. Data collected on food produced, received, and consumed at both the individual and household level show that Hadza men do not specialize in big game hunting as some researchers previously claimed. Instead, a significant amount of the food they bring home comes from hunting small game, and collecting honey and wild fruits. However, the study also shows that success in killing large game brings both nutritional and social benefits to the hunter. Nutritionally, the hunter allocates choice meat to his own household and close kin. Socially, the hunter gains increased respect and prestige by sharing the remaining meat with other camp members and visitors. The authors emphasize the significance of this analysis for understanding why Hadza women prefer good hunters as husbands, and why successful hunters have higher fertility rates than others.

Division of labor by gender

Gift giving

Production and supply