essay

Ju/'hoan women's tracking knowledge and its contribution to their husbands' hunting success

African study monographs. ary issue • (26) • Published In 2001 • Pages: 67-84

By: Biesele, Megan, Barclay, Steve.

Abstract
1995 fieldwork in the Nyae Nyae area of northeastern Namibia identified a substantial contribution to their husbands' hunting success by Ju/'hoan women. This contribution came from a more active use of tracking knowledge than previously reported in anthropological literature on San and other hunter-gatherers. A mixed-gender team composed an an experienced hunter/tracker (Barclay) and an anthropologist /Ju/'hoan translator (Biesele) recorded in detail 1) the events of several collaborative hunting trips with Ju/'hoan husband-wife teams and 2) interview information about the kind and frequency of such collaboration. This team also recorded linguistic and technical details of hunting paraphernalia and techniques hitherto unelaborated in the literature, focusing on snares used by both men and women.… The current paper presents the 1995 finding in the context of relevant information on gender and hunting from other societies. It invites colleagues to share ideas and information on this topic. In particular, it poses the question: does the current observed frequency of spousal cooperation in hunting in Nyae Nyae reflect very recent circumstances, or 2) does it, as some Ju/'hoan statements suggest, have substantial time-depth? The conclusion reached is that 1) and 2) are not necessarily opposing propositions, and that further investigation is needed (p. 67).
Subjects
Theoretical orientation in research and its results
Hunting and trapping
Weapons
Gender roles and issues
culture
San
HRAF PubDate
2005
Region
Africa
Sub Region
Southern Africa
Document Type
essay
Evaluation
Creator Types
Ethnologist
Hunter
Tracker
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
John Beierle ; 2003
Field Date
1971-1995
Coverage Date
1971-1995
Coverage Place
Ju/'hoan people, Nyae Nyae area, northeastern Namibia
Notes
Megan Biesele, Steve Barclay
Includes bibliographical references (p. 81-84)
LCCN
83644713
LCSH
San (African people)