article

Sharing, talking, and giving: relief of social tensions among !Kung Bushmen

Africa31 • Published In 1961 • Pages: 231-249

By: Marshall, Lorna.

Abstract
This article is a well-detailed account of some of the methods by which the !Kung manage to control antagonisms encountered in their daily interpersonal relations. The principal means discussed through conversations, gifts, and cooperative sharing of the proceeds from hunting, the main food-producing activity. Because these aspects of !Kung behaviour are closely interrelated with many facets of their culture, much information on other subjects is included as incidental to the author's presentation. Some are: kin relationships, social control, ethics and etiquette, hunting techniques, jewelery, trade activities, and concepts of property. An appendix listing !Kung material artifacts is a useful addition. This source contains a greater amount and variety of data than its lenght would indicate.
Subjects
Hunting and trapping
Property in movables
Gift giving
Conversation
Etiquette
Ingroup antagonisms
culture
San
HRAF PubDate
2005
Region
Africa
Sub Region
Southern Africa
Document Type
article
Evaluation
Creator Type
Ethnologist
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
George R. Bedell ; 1961
Field Date
1951-1959
Coverage Date
1951-1959
Coverage Place
Nyae Nyae region, Namibia and Botswana
Notes
Lorna Marshall
Includes bibliographical references
LCCN
29010790
LCSH
San (African people)