Foragers: Subsistence Strategies

Foraging is a subsistence strategy that depends directly on plants and animals available in the environment. Foragers collect wild plants, fruits, nuts, seeds, and hunt animals and fish. Foragers require a large territory for subsistence. Most foragers are nomadic and live in relatively small communities so as not to overburden their environment. The labor division is based on sex, women would gather while men would hunt. Foragers rely mainly on their own muscle power in carrying out their subsistence tasks. Most labor is done individually or in small groups of relatives and friends. Hunting and gathering subsistence characterized humans as we evolved. Foragers generally have a passive dependence on what the environment contains, they do not plant crops. Although the environments were inhospitable, the diet was well-balanced and ample, and food was shared. Hunting and gathering
societies had considerable free time to spend on social and religious activities.
Swidden horticulture is the process of cutting down the vegetation in a particular plot of land, setting fire to the remaining foliage, and using the ashes to provide nutrients to the soil for use of planting food crops.
This is also known as slash and burn, is used for a relatively short period of time, and then left alone for a longer period of time so that vegetation can grow again. Slash and burn is a method of agriculture primarily used by tribal communities for subsistence farming (farming to survive). Humans have been using this method for many years, the time when humans stopped hunting and gathering and started to stay put and grow crops. When used properly, slash and burn agriculture provides communities with a source of food and income. Slash and burn allows for people to farm in places where it usually is not possible because of dense vegetation, soil infertility, low soil nutrient content, uncontrollable pests, or other reasons. For example in the clip Dani sweet potato from clearing off the old brush and weeds from a fallow field to planting, harvesting, cooking and
eating
Pastoralism is a subsistence pattern in which people make their living by tending herds of large animals. Pastoralists are people who use a food-producing strategy of adaptation based on care of herds of domesticated animals. There are essentially two forms of pastoralism. They are known as nomadism and transhumance. Pastoral nomads follow a seasonal migratory pattern that can vary from year to year. The timing and destinations of migrations are determined primarily by the needs of the herd animals for water and fodder. These nomadic societies do not create permanent settlements, but rather they live in tents or other relatively easily constructed dwellings the year round. Pastoral nomads are usually self-sufficient in terms of food and most other necessities. They make direct use of the herd for dairy (butter, milk, yogurt) and food (meat). In addition, transhumances have permanent habitation, limited crop production and seasonal migratory herding of animals.
Wade Davis’ concept of the Ethnosphere refers to the accumulation of culture and knowledge held by the diversity of people living around the world. This legacy that humanity leaves is not limited to the science or technology of a people, but includes every facet of their lives from their dreams and legends to their hunting techniques and rituals. He equates the Ethnosphere to the biosphere, which is the network of living organisms that inhabit our planet. Our Ethnosphere too exists in a complex network and is similarly threatened by western expansionism and globalization. As our society becomes more technologically advanced more and more cultures are being pushed to the side to make way for progress. Old ways are being lost forever and with it the advanced knowledge of other ways in which humanity can exist.