Ethnological Comparison
Ethnological Comparison: Between the Baka and the Nenetsi
Intro to Anthropology
381-101-DW gr. 00009
Laurence Audesse-Keenan 1435491
18 February 2015
The Baka from Baka: People of the Forest, and the Nenetsi from Nenetsi Samoyeds: Nomads of the Siberian Tundra are two groups that live in vastly different climates. The former are a hunter-gatherer or forager society, and live in the rainforests of the Cameroon, and the later, are pastoralists in the Siberian Tundra of Russia. It can be assumed that due to these huge differences in their environments, the two cultures will be incredibly dissimilar, but that is not necessarily the case. While they do have differences, they also share some similar aspects. They are similar in their treatment of children and relationships with nature, but they differ in communication styles. The children in both these communities must grow up much faster than is the norm in the West. From a young age they are taught the ways of their people, and they participate in the daily activities, doing adult work. The Baka children carry miniaturised tools so that they may help. They also partake in the fishing and are always present in the day to day activities, whether they are helping or not. For the Nenetsi, the childhood situation is much the same. They learn very young how to herd the animals and how they must behave around them so as not to frighten the easily scared animals. The children know how to guide the animals. In both cases, no one ever yells at the children, they are treated well, and they still are able to play and have fun, even if they must participate in chores. Another similarity can be found in the relationship with nature of these two groups of people. They treat it with respect, and will never take more than what they need. They also will not kill something if they do not have to. The Baka will leave large cats, for example, alone, if they are just walking by, and the Nenetsi do not kill their
Intro to Anthropology
381-101-DW gr. 00009
Laurence Audesse-Keenan 1435491
18 February 2015
The Baka from Baka: People of the Forest, and the Nenetsi from Nenetsi Samoyeds: Nomads of the Siberian Tundra are two groups that live in vastly different climates. The former are a hunter-gatherer or forager society, and live in the rainforests of the Cameroon, and the later, are pastoralists in the Siberian Tundra of Russia. It can be assumed that due to these huge differences in their environments, the two cultures will be incredibly dissimilar, but that is not necessarily the case. While they do have differences, they also share some similar aspects. They are similar in their treatment of children and relationships with nature, but they differ in communication styles. The children in both these communities must grow up much faster than is the norm in the West. From a young age they are taught the ways of their people, and they participate in the daily activities, doing adult work. The Baka children carry miniaturised tools so that they may help. They also partake in the fishing and are always present in the day to day activities, whether they are helping or not. For the Nenetsi, the childhood situation is much the same. They learn very young how to herd the animals and how they must behave around them so as not to frighten the easily scared animals. The children know how to guide the animals. In both cases, no one ever yells at the children, they are treated well, and they still are able to play and have fun, even if they must participate in chores. Another similarity can be found in the relationship with nature of these two groups of people. They treat it with respect, and will never take more than what they need. They also will not kill something if they do not have to. The Baka will leave large cats, for example, alone, if they are just walking by, and the Nenetsi do not kill their