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- Title
The Simplest Peoples Part I. A Comparative Study.
- Authors
Hobhouse, L. T.
- Abstract
This article provides information on a number of peoples scattered over the islands and peninsulas of the Indian Ocean, Central and South Africa and South America, having unity neither of race nor habitat but only the logical unity of general type. They are the Andamanese, Semang, Sakai, Negritos of the Philippines, often called Aëta, Vedda, Kubu, Punans of Borneo, Tasmanians, Central African Pygmies or Batwa, Bushmen, Fuegian peoples, including Yahgans, Ona and Alakaluf and the Botocudos. These peoples stand roughly at the same level of material culture, and in their social relations are generally alike, though with specific differences which have to be measured. In all these peoples the fundamental social unit is the little group of nearly-related individuals. In all, with the possible exception of the Kubu, this group is in relations of intimacy, generally including intermarriage with other groups, and we speak of collections of such groups as tribes. In most cases the group occupies in common, either exclusively or preferentially, a defined territory. In eight of the fourteen peoples certainly, and in one probably, the Yahgans, the group land is exclusive. In one, the Semang, the group has its appropriate home, but wanders unquestioned over the tribal area. In one, the Tasmanians, the division of tribes is insufficiently known, but group division is probable. One, the Punans, have no territorial group divisions, but roam the whole tribal area. In one, the Kubu, it is possible that owing to extreme sparseness, there was no delimitation. In some cases, conspicuously the Bushmen, there is both tribal and group land, and generally visiting, common hunting, and so on, may be arranged, if there is no cause of unfriendliness. In general, then, group division within a wider territory is the characteristic.
- Subjects
PERSONS; MATERIAL culture; SOCIAL interaction; NEGRITOS; BATWA (African people)
- Publication
British Journal of Sociology, 1956, Vol 7, Issue 2, p77
- ISSN
0007-1315
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.2307/587851