essay

Age, sex, and resource transport in Venezuelan foragers

from biped to strider : the emergence of modern human walking, running, and resource transport • New York • Published In 2004 • Pages: 163-181

By: Hilton, Charles E., Greaves, Russell Dean.

Abstract

This article is a study of age and sex patterns of resource transport among the Pumé. The authors collected data on burden size and distanced carried by age and sex for 101 wet and dry season foraging trips. They found that male and female mobility patterns are affected by seasonal change and food availability. Men travel long distances across flooded savanna in the wet season to hunt game. In the dry season, fish and fowl are concentrated and easier to procure. Women travel shorter distances and carry more food in their wet season foraging for tubers, with older non-reproductive women carrying heavier loads, up to one-third their body weight, twice the burden of younger females, and five times the burden of men. Dry season forgaging of mangos requires traveling longer distances and carrying heavier loads, which can be as high as 100 pecent of body weight. While men in their subsistence activities are more far ranging, women carry heavier loads.

HRAF PubDate

2014

Region

South America

Sub Region

Amazon and Orinoco

Document Type

essay

Evaluation

Creator Type

Ethnologist

Document Rating

5: Excellent Primary Data

Analyst

Ian Skoggard; 2012

Field Date

1990, 1992-1993

Coverage Date

1990-1993

Coverage Place

Doro Aná, Capanaparo river region, eastern Apure, Venezuela

Notes

Charles E. Hilton and Russell D. Greaves

Includes bibliographical references (p. 179-181)

LCCN

2003060287

LCSH

Yaruro Indians