Patterns of senentism among the Basarwa of eastern Botswana

Hitchcock, Robert K.

essay

Patterns of senentism among the Basarwa of eastern Botswana

politics and history in band societies • Cambridge [Cambridgeshire] • Published In 1982 • Pages: 223-267

By: Hitchcock, Robert K..

Abstract
This paper addresses the question of how and why hunter-gatherer groups reduce their mobility and begin to settle in single locations. In order to illustrate some of the factors involved in the shift to a sedentary way of life the author draws upon data collected over a three and a half year period among mobile and sedentary Basarwa in two areas of eastern Botswana. The article is divided into two parts: the first presenting a general discussion of the causes and consequences of sedentism, while the second is an evaluation of some of the general conclusions in light of specific case material. By approaching the subject of sedentism through case studies Hitchcock hopes to shed light on some of the conditions under which hunter-gatherer groups become sedentary and to clarify some of the broader implications of the process of settllng down (p. 224).

Theoretical orientation in research and its results

Population

Composition of population

Acculturation and culture contact

HRAF PubDate

2005

Region

Africa