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hunter-gatherer
Somebody who still practices the oldest known subsistence method for humans: gathering plant foods and hunting animals. Also known as a forager. For 99.9% of human history, virtually all humans lived in small, semi-nomadic bands who foraged for food. Now only .1% of humans hunt and gather.
Hunter-gatherer societies are the most egalitarian societies known; since the group size is rarely more than one hundred to two hundred, there is no room for sexual division of labor or social strata because everyone must look out for each other. Men hunt while women and children gather roots, leaves, fruits, eggs, seeds, and trap small animals. Males and females are recognized as different but equally important; since hunting is difficult and unpredictable, the women provide about 80% of the food. While women could hunt, that they nurse babies and small children keeps them from joining stressful, difficult hunts; gathering plant foods is far easier on the women and children. While the men must use sign language and hand signals to communicate while hunting, the women are free to chat with each other as they gather all manner of plant products.
Foragers depend heavily on the reproductive capacities of their territory and the local climate/ ecosystem must change very little, if at all; a tiny shift could mean disaster.
Hunter-gatherer societies are the most egalitarian societies known; since the group size is rarely more than one hundred to two hundred, there is no room for sexual division of labor or social strata because everyone must look out for each other. Men hunt while women and children gather roots, leaves, fruits, eggs, seeds, and trap small animals. Males and females are recognized as different but equally important; since hunting is difficult and unpredictable, the women provide about 80% of the food. While women could hunt, that they nurse babies and small children keeps them from joining stressful, difficult hunts; gathering plant foods is far easier on the women and children. While the men must use sign language and hand signals to communicate while hunting, the women are free to chat with each other as they gather all manner of plant products.
Foragers depend heavily on the reproductive capacities of their territory and the local climate/ ecosystem must change very little, if at all; a tiny shift could mean disaster.
The hunter-gatherer culture is very difficult to preserve now, with such pressure to assimilate. But then, Jared Diamond has argued that agriculture is the worst mistake that humans have made.
Where foragers eat at least 200 species of plants and a similar number of animal species, industrial cultures barely eat a tenth of that; foragers are far healthier while farmers now live with very little crop diversity and are thus vulnerable to famine and have lived close to animals and exchanged pathogens with them.
Women in foraging societies have the most autonomy; women’s control of production, marriage, and reproduction is the norm in hunter-gatherer groups.
Hunter-gatherer groups include the Bushmen, Mbenga, and Hadza peoples of southern Africa; the Yupik and Gwich'in of Alaska; the Beaver Nation of Canada; and numerous indigenous tribes in Indonesia, Australia, and the Americas.
Many of America's First Nations have been forced to leave hunter-gatherer lifestyles, including the Miwok, Ohlone, Chumash, Paiute, Cheyenne, Shoshone, Penobscot, and the many Plains Nations.
Where foragers eat at least 200 species of plants and a similar number of animal species, industrial cultures barely eat a tenth of that; foragers are far healthier while farmers now live with very little crop diversity and are thus vulnerable to famine and have lived close to animals and exchanged pathogens with them.
Women in foraging societies have the most autonomy; women’s control of production, marriage, and reproduction is the norm in hunter-gatherer groups.
Hunter-gatherer groups include the Bushmen, Mbenga, and Hadza peoples of southern Africa; the Yupik and Gwich'in of Alaska; the Beaver Nation of Canada; and numerous indigenous tribes in Indonesia, Australia, and the Americas.
Many of America's First Nations have been forced to leave hunter-gatherer lifestyles, including the Miwok, Ohlone, Chumash, Paiute, Cheyenne, Shoshone, Penobscot, and the many Plains Nations.
hunter-gatherer by Lorelili November 6, 2012
Related Words
munter gatherer
*did you see that bird Steve went home with last night?
*Christ yeah, he's a right munter gatherer that one.
*Christ yeah, he's a right munter gatherer that one.
munter gatherer by hawaiian sam December 9, 2008
Country Gatherer 5
An urban slang term that originated from MSN statuses. One may use the term to have other people acknowledge that they are indeed watching the TV Series "Country Gatherer" and currently on episode 5. This is crucial to have as a status for there is no point in watching a Television show if others don't know about it.
Example 1
"Share something new with friends."
*Hmm, well my best friend passed away last week. No, no, that can wait, I MUST tell others what I am watching as of RIGHT NOW.*
"Country Gatherer 5"
"There, done. Hopefully people will see it, and maybe even comment on it"
Example 2
Friend 1: "Yo Phillip, whatcha doing? Watching porn?"
Phillip: "Nah, why watch porn when you can watch Country Gatherer?" "I'm on episode 5."
Friend 1: "Don't forget to put it as your MSN status, or there is no point in even watching it.
Phillip: Damn, almost forgot, thanks bro.
"Share something new with friends."
*Hmm, well my best friend passed away last week. No, no, that can wait, I MUST tell others what I am watching as of RIGHT NOW.*
"Country Gatherer 5"
"There, done. Hopefully people will see it, and maybe even comment on it"
Example 2
Friend 1: "Yo Phillip, whatcha doing? Watching porn?"
Phillip: "Nah, why watch porn when you can watch Country Gatherer?" "I'm on episode 5."
Friend 1: "Don't forget to put it as your MSN status, or there is no point in even watching it.
Phillip: Damn, almost forgot, thanks bro.
Country Gatherer 5 by CountryGatherer5 August 6, 2011
gathers
Watch out the gathers are up your arse
Cock gatherer
Cock gatherer by AstrayMind98 March 26, 2020
loser gatherfest
When a bunch of people gather together and, instead of sticking to the scheduled plans, end up sharing and mind masturbating over their personal problems.
loser gatherfest by Lady Nyx January 5, 2008
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