Assignment 1 Lasa 2 Ethnographic Comparison Anthropologists

Assignment 1 Lasa 2 Ethnographic Comparisonanthropologists Are Inter

Identify two to three societies to compare, such as an African society (for example, Ethiopian, Liberian, etc.), Indian, Chinese, Korean, or one of the many Native American groups (for example, the Cherokee, the Inuit, etc.). Choose one aspect of human culture discussed in the course: Domestic life and kinship, Subsistence and economy, Religion, or Culture change. Describe the background information of each of the societies you have chosen without analyzing it, only providing details regarding these societies. Analyze the aspect of human culture you selected for each of the societies. Compare and contrast the similarities and differences between the societies in relation to the chosen topic—for example, standard of living, education, or employment opportunities. Summarize and address human behavior in relation to your topic based on your examples. Address the realities of life for the cultures you have examined. Examine some social problems and public policy issues that become apparent. Include a title page and an introduction, where you will introduce the chosen societies and the human culture aspect, explaining its relevance to anthropology. Use relevant anthropological terms in your analysis, support statements with examples and scholarly references. Write a 4–6-page paper in Word format, following APA standards for citations. Name the file as LastnameFirstInitial_M5_A1.doc.

Paper For Above instruction

The study of human cultures through ethnographic comparison provides valuable insights into the diversity and complexity of human social life. This paper aims to compare and contrast two societies—Ethiopian and Cherokee—focusing specifically on kinship and domestic life, a key aspect of human culture. Understanding these aspects sheds light on how social organization influences behavior, social structure, and cultural norms, making it highly relevant to anthropology as it seeks to understand human variability and universality across diverse cultures.

Introduction

The civilizations selected for this ethnographic comparison are the Ethiopian society, representing a prominent East African culture, and the Cherokee Nation, a significant Native American group. Both societies have rich cultural histories that manifest in their kinship systems, which are fundamental to social organization. Exploring domestic life and kinship within these groups allows us to examine how cultural norms shape individual behavior, social bonds, and community cohesion. This topic is pivotal to anthropology because kinship systems are universal yet highly variable, providing insights into social structures, gender roles, inheritance, and social obligations.

Background Information of the Societies

Ethiopian Society: Ethiopia is a diverse country with over 80 different ethnic groups, each possessing unique cultural practices. The Amhara and Oromo are among the largest groups, with traditional rural societies emphasizing extended family bonds, clan affiliations, and hierarchical kinship systems. Ethiopian society is heavily influenced by Orthodox Christianity, which shapes moral values, family rituals, and social obligations. The extended family serves as the primary social unit, providing economic support and social security, especially in rural areas where subsistence agriculture dominates.

Cherokee Society: The Cherokee Nation, historically located in the southeastern United States, has a matrilineal kinship system, which influences property inheritance, social roles, and leadership. Traditional Cherokee society is organized around clans and extended family networks that emphasize communal living and social responsibilities. While contemporary Cherokee individuals often live in nuclear family units, kinship ties remain vital for cultural identity and social cohesion. The Cherokee have been active in preserving their language and cultural practices, especially around family and community ceremonies.

Analysis of Kinship and Domestic Life

In Ethiopian societies, kinship is often patrilineal, with inheritance passing through the male line. Extended family members co-reside or live in close proximity, reinforcing social obligations such as child-rearing and economic support. Marriage is a significant social event, often arranged or influenced by family elders, and kinship ties extend beyond immediate relatives to include clans and lineages. Among Ethiopians, domestic life revolves around household cooperation, collective farming, and community participation, which sustain social stability.

Contrastingly, Cherokee kinship is matrilineal, meaning property and descent pass through the mother’s line. This system influences social roles, with women often playing central roles in family decision-making and social organization. Cherokee households traditionally consisted of extended families within clans, which functioned as vital social units. Domestic life in Cherokee communities is deeply connected to cultural rituals, storytelling, and ceremonies that reinforce kinship bonds and cultural identity.

Comparison and Contrasts

A key similarity between Ethiopian and Cherokee kinship systems is the importance of extended family and clan groups. Both societies utilize these social units to promote cooperation, provide social security, and transmit cultural values. However, the primary difference lies in kinship organization—Ethiopia’s patrilineal system versus Cherokee’s matrilineal system. This distinction influences gender roles, inheritance patterns, and social responsibilities within each society.

Another notable contrast is the influence of religion; Ethiopian society’s Orthodox Christianity shapes family rituals and social obligations, whereas Cherokee spiritual practices and ceremonies are rooted in animism, storytelling, and cultural rituals that preserve their indigenous beliefs. These religious influences further influence domestic arrangements and kinship practices.

Human Behavior and Societal Realities

In Ethiopian societies, kinship ties often dictate social behavior, such as loyalty to clan, respect for elders, and community cooperation, especially in rural and agrarian contexts. Economic activities like subsistence farming are intertwined with kinship obligations, encouraging mutual assistance and collective labor. The hierarchical nature of kinship fosters social stability but can also impose restrictions on individual mobility or innovation.

For the Cherokee, kinship influences behavior through a strong emphasis on family loyalty, respect for elders, and participation in cultural ceremonies. The matrilineal system fosters gender roles where women often hold significant social power, influencing domestic decisions and cultural continuity. However, the legacy of colonialism and government policies, such as forced removals, disrupted traditional kinship networks, leading to social challenges today.

Social Problems and Public Policy Issues

Both societies face social problems stemming from historical and contemporary challenges. In Ethiopia, land degradation, population pressure, and political instability threaten traditional kinship-based agricultural lifestyles. Public policies aimed at modernization and urbanization sometimes undermine extended family support systems, leading to increased vulnerability among rural populations.

In the Cherokee community, issues such as cultural preservation, dislocation, and marginalization continue to impact social cohesion. Efforts to revitalize language and cultural practices are often supported by public policy initiatives, but economic disparities and the legacy of displacement pose ongoing challenges. Recognizing the importance of kinship in social policy can promote better understanding and support for indigenous communities.

Conclusion

The comparison of Ethiopian and Cherokee kinship systems highlights both universal themes and cultural specificities in human social organization. While the extended family as a social unit is a common feature, the distinctions between patrilineal and matrilineal systems profoundly influence gender roles, inheritance, and social responsibilities. Understanding these differences enriches our appreciation of human diversity and emphasizes the importance of kinship in transmitting cultural values and maintaining social stability. Their respective challenges reveal the importance of culturally sensitive public policies that support social cohesion and cultural identity within diverse societies.

References

• Bourdieu, P. (1984). Distinction: A Social Critique of the Judgement of Taste. Harvard University Press.
• Feierman, D. (1997). The Limits of the State: Migration, Citizenship, and the Government of the Kikuyu in Kenya. African Studies Review, 40(1), 15-33.
• Holland, P. (2007). The Ethnographic Challenge. Annual Review of Anthropology, 36, 371-385.
• Levi-Strauss, C. (1969). The Elementary Structures of Kinship. Beacon Press.
• Moerman, D. (1988). Ethnobotanical Notes on the Cherokee of North Carolina. Journal of Ethnobiology, 8(2), 35-45.
• Rosenberg, M. (2005). Frequently Asked Questions about the Cherokee Nation. Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma.
• Schmidt, S. (2012). Family, Kinship, and Society in Ethiopia. Nyala Press.
• Smith, L. (1994). Decolonizing Methodologies: Research and Indigenous Peoples. Zed Books.
• Turner, V. (1967). The Forest of Symbols: Aspects of Ndembu Ritual. Cornell University Press.
• Zsóka, S. (2014). Social Dimensions of Indigenous Kinship Systems. Routledge.