The Dobe Ju/’hoansi

The Dobe Ju/' hoansi

Ch 10: The Ju/' hoansi & their neighbors

o The Ju/'hoansi share the Dobe area with the Herero and Tswana pastorals.

o They grow crops and have herds yet are all based on kinship and are don't have developed markets or governments.

o Herero's are the largest groups of in the Dobe area. They are Bantu speaking people.

o Were influenced by the German missionaries who pushed them out of their land. They attacked colonists and Germany declared war, ultimately killing 60% of them.

o Working on Herero cattle posts is major source of employment of the Ju.

o With the H& T's came major ecological changes.

o Wells were deepened to ensure water supply for stock and were also fenced in.

o Has created more sanitary water but less is available. Goats have also destroyed the grass. And each cattle post now has a permanent population of houseflies.

o Working for the Herero's gives a Ju a donkey to ride as well as an outfit. Wages are minimum but it offers a calf in the long run and ability to offer relatives hospitality.

o Intermarriage is common with Ju women marry Black men.

o Advantages- Ju woman are in the area and are use to the life in the bush. No bride payment for marrying a Ju woman. Good Lovers.

o Disadvantages - Free Spited woman, wont listen to husbands.

o SWARA - term used for a brother-in-law in an interracial marriage. It is used reciprocally and in a joking manner to help ease tensions.

Ch 11: Perceptions & Directions of Social Change

o Ju/'hoansi still isolated in 1963. Thought whites were wild animals.

o Decade later isolation disappeared and knowledge about the outside world grew. Disagreements as to the progress

o Shift from hunting to farming and herding

o Mobility is then restricted by the need for daily supervision of animals. Children are pressed into service. Women become housebound. Conflict with idea of reciprocity.

o Both Social and ecological factors were preventing Ju from farming.

o In 1967 first store opened in Dobe.

o A number of Ju women became beer entrepreneurs. Many Ju's got drunk and parties were out of control. More store bough clothes, babies, donkey and goats were evident.

o First School was expensive and required costly uniforms.

o Regular attendance was required and students were not allowed to speak their native languages.

o Increase in herding begins to gain support from the government.

o Brought new social problems. Breakdown of sharing, appearances for the first time of wealth differences, subordination of women.

Ch 12: The J/'hoansi Today

o More cash circulating in the Dobe area as well as more poverty.

o Isolated foragers have become peasants coping with the demands of the state. Sharing has declined.

o Three decades of gracing has turned Dobe into a