Slide 1Slide 2Slide 3Slide 4Slide 5Slide 6Slide 7Slide 8Slide 9Slide 10Slide 11Slide 12Slide 13Slide 14Slide 15Slide 16Slide 17Slide 18Slide 19Slide 20Slide 21Slide 22Slide 23Name stems from Name stems from the word the word ““YanomamiYanomami,” ,” which means which means ““human human beingsbeings””Have been called the most primitive and Have been called the most primitive and culturally intact people in the worldculturally intact people in the worldThe Yanomami make up a culture-linguistic The Yanomami make up a culture-linguistic group composed of at least four group composed of at least four adjacent subgroups who speak adjacent subgroups who speak languages of the same family languages of the same family–YanomaeYanomae–YanõmamiYanõmami–SanimaSanima–NinamNinamPopulationPopulation: currently 21,000-26,000: currently 21,000-26,000LocationLocation: occupy the Amazonian : occupy the Amazonian border between Venezuela border between Venezuela and Brazil and Brazil (approx. 192,000km(approx. 192,000km22) )No genetic, anthropometric or linguistic No genetic, anthropometric or linguistic resemblance with their neighbors resemblance with their neighbors Thought to be descendents of an Thought to be descendents of an indigenous group that remained relatively indigenous group that remained relatively isolated for a remote period of time isolated for a remote period of time According to their oral tradition, they According to their oral tradition, they originated from the copulation of the originated from the copulation of the demiurge Omama with the daughter of the demiurge Omama with the daughter of the aquatic monster Teperesiki, owner of aquatic monster Teperesiki, owner of cultivated plants cultivated plants –demiurge means a powerful creative forcedemiurge means a powerful creative forceLive in hundreds of small villagesLive in hundreds of small villages–Each containing 40-300 individualsEach containing 40-300 individuals–Scattered thinly throughout the Amazon ForestScattered thinly throughout the Amazon ForestGrouped by families in one large communal Grouped by families in one large communal dwelling called a dwelling called a Shabono Shabono –This disc-shaped structure with an open-air central plaza This disc-shaped structure with an open-air central plaza is an earthly version of their gods' abodeis an earthly version of their gods' abodeHunt and fish over a wide area and tend gardens Hunt and fish over a wide area and tend gardens in harmony with the forest in harmony with the forest Villages are autonomous but constantly interact Villages are autonomous but constantly interact with each other with each other Distance between villages varies from a few Distance between villages varies from a few hours walk to a ten day walk hours walk to a ten day walkMarry in Marry in Bilateral Cross Cousin Bilateral Cross Cousin MarriagesMarriages–A form of direct exchange in which two A form of direct exchange in which two lineages or families establish lineages or families establish permanent permanent alliances alliances and exchanges and exchanges through through marriages to marriages to each each other’s womenother’s womenFirst GenerationFirst Generation: Two men : Two men marry each other’s sisters to marry each other’s sisters to establish the allianceestablish the allianceSecond GenerationSecond Generation: The : The triangle marked EGO marries triangle marked EGO marries his bilateral cross cousin, who his bilateral cross cousin, who is at the same time both his is at the same time both his mother’s brother’s daughter mother’s brother’s daughter and father’s sister’s daughterand father’s sister’s daughterThis pattern continues through successive This pattern continues through successive generationsgenerationsMembers of the same localized lineage are forbidden Members of the same localized lineage are forbidden from marrying. This is called from marrying. This is called Lineage ExogamyLineage ExogamyBilateral cross cousin marriage system and co-Bilateral cross cousin marriage system and co-settlement of intermarrying lineages establishes settlement of intermarrying lineages establishes patterns or patterns or VILLAGE ENDOGAMYVILLAGE ENDOGAMY–Marriages are solely contracted within a particular social Marriages are solely contracted within a particular social group, range, or relationshipgroup, range, or relationship–Helps highlight community identity, uniqueness, and statusHelps highlight community identity, uniqueness, and statusAlthough marriage is Although marriage is patrilocalpatrilocal, a husband must , a husband must live with his parents-in-law for several years live with his parents-in-law for several years performing bride service. performing bride service. PolygynyPolygyny is permitted is permitted–10-20% of all males at any time are polygynists 10-20% of all males at any time are polygynistsEach village is an autonomous political entityEach village is an autonomous political entity–free to make war or peace with other villagesfree to make war or peace with other villagesCoalitions between villages are importantCoalitions between villages are importantAge, sex, and personal accomplishments are Age, sex, and personal accomplishments are important in status differentiationimportant in status differentiation–Mature men dominate positions of political authority and Mature men dominate positions of political authority and religious practicereligious practice–High status is earned, not High status is earned, not inheritedinheritedThe The village headmanvillage headman is the is the dominant political leaderdominant political leader–Comes from the largest local Comes from the largest local patrilineagepatrilineage–The lead headman must settle disputes The lead headman must settle disputes and deal with allies and