Volti example: !Kung Based in Kalahari desert, Southern Africa Harsh environment Hunters / gatherers No agriculture / industry Nomadic No permanent structures
Photographed in 1957, with anthropologist John Marshall !Kung, cont. Few material goods / possessions; no $$ “ It might be expected that the life of the !Kung is one of unceasing hardship, and that the bare necessities of life are obtained only through continuous toil. Yet, this is not the case.” Yet, !Kung considered affluent Average workday: 6 hours, 2.5 days per week Remainder of time not spent working is typically for visiting / entertaining How is this possible?
Roughly 41 people per square mile, rather than hundreds or even thousands of people per square mile in many industrialized areas. Remainder of time not spent working is typically for visiting / entertaining Minimal need for clothing, due to warm, arid climate Minimal need for sturdy, heavy structures, also due to climate Climate allows them to be nomadic (no need to carry a lot of stuff around with you) Controlled rate of reproduction Leads to low population density As such, plenty of food Avoided “putting excessive pressure” on environment “ They have maintained an equilibrium between their wants and their capacity to achieve them.”