Question 1

Why was the discovery of secular war among the Dani important in constructing an explanation for their ritual warfare cycle?

Accepted Answer

The discovery of secular war among the Dani, an indigenous group from the highlands of Papua New Guinea, was significant in constructing an explanation for their ritual warfare cycle because it provided anthropologists and researchers with a deeper understanding of the social, cultural, and ecological factors that influenced the Dani's patterns of conflict and peace.

Prior to the recognition of secular war among the Dani, many researchers focused on the ritualistic aspects of Dani warfare, which appeared to be highly stylized and ceremonial. The warfare was characterized by set-piece battles, elaborate displays, and seemed to follow a cyclical pattern that was tied to cultural and ritualistic practices. This led to theories that Dani warfare was primarily a means of social regulation, a way to maintain balance within the society, and a mechanism for reinforcing social bonds and identities.

However, the discovery of secular war revealed that there were also pragmatic and material motivations behind the conflicts. Secular wars were fought over tangible resources such as land, pigs, and women, and were often more intense and less regulated than ritual battles. This understanding shifted the perspective on Dani warfare from being seen solely as a cultural expression to being recognized as a complex social phenomenon that also involved practical considerations of economics and power.

The recognition of secular war allowed anthropologists to construct a more nuanced explanation for the ritual warfare cycle. It suggested that the ritual warfare served multiple functions, including:

1. Resource Control: Secular wars could be understood as a means of controlling and redistributing resources within Dani society, which was crucial for survival in the highland environment.

2. Social Cohesion: Ritual warfare helped to reinforce social cohesion and group identity, as it required coordination and cooperation among members of the same group.

3. Conflict Resolution: The cyclical nature of ritual warfare provided a structured way to manage and resolve conflicts that arose from competition over resources, without leading to the complete destruction of rival groups.

4. Population Regulation: Some theories suggest that ritual warfare served as a means of population control, ensuring that the number of people did not exceed the carrying capacity of the environment.

5. Cultural Expression: The ceremonies and rituals associated with warfare allowed the Dani to express their cultural values, beliefs, and social structures.

In summary, the discovery of secular war among the Dani was important because it highlighted the interplay between ritual and practicality in their warfare cycle. It showed that Dani warfare was not just a cultural artifact but was also deeply connected to ecological, economic, and social realities. This comprehensive view has allowed for a more complete explanation of the causes and functions of warfare in Dani society.

Question 2

What role did cannibalism play in Fore culture? Why was it practiced mostly by women?

Accepted Answer

Cannibalism played a significant role in Fore culture as a way to honor and remember deceased loved ones. The Fore people believed that by consuming the flesh of their deceased relatives, they were taking in their strength and essence, allowing them to live on in a spiritual sense. This practice was also seen as a way to prevent the spirit of the deceased from causing harm to the living.

Cannibalism was mostly practiced by women in Fore culture because they were responsible for preparing the bodies of the deceased for consumption. This included butchering the body and distributing the flesh to family members. Additionally, women were often the primary caregivers for the sick and elderly, so they were more likely to be present at the time of death and therefore involved in the preparation of the body for consumption.

It's important to note that cannibalism in Fore culture was not a form of ritualistic killing or violence, but rather a deeply ingrained cultural practice with spiritual significance. However, it has largely ceased in modern times due to outside influences and the spread of Christianity in the region.

Question 3

How does the text explain the biblical dietary laws by combining the views of Mary Douglas and Marvin Harris?

Accepted Answer

The text explains the biblical dietary laws by combining the views of Mary Douglas and Marvin Harris in a comprehensive manner. Mary Douglas, a cultural anthropologist, emphasizes the symbolic and social significance of food in her theory of "purity and danger." She argues that the dietary laws in the Bible serve to create a sense of order and structure within the community by distinguishing between clean and unclean foods. This helps to maintain social boundaries and reinforce cultural norms.

On the other hand, Marvin Harris, an anthropologist known for his work on cultural materialism, focuses on the practical and economic reasons behind dietary restrictions. He suggests that the dietary laws in the Bible, such as the prohibition of consuming certain animals, can be attributed to environmental and ecological factors. For example, the avoidance of pork may have been due to the health risks associated with consuming undercooked pork in ancient times.

By combining these views, the text provides a holistic understanding of the biblical dietary laws. It acknowledges the symbolic and social significance of these laws, as well as the practical and economic considerations that may have influenced their development. This approach allows for a more nuanced interpretation of the dietary laws and their relevance in both ancient and contemporary societies.

Question 4

How might the warfare among the Dani aid in maintaining the quality of their environment?

Accepted Answer

A)   war deaths keep the population down
B)   it alters land holdings and allows some land to lie fallow
C)   its expense helps establish trade networks with the outside
D)   it promotes reproduction to try to counter war deaths

Question 5

In the "nature vs. nurture" debate, the position that emphasizes the "nurture"
Part is formally called:

Accepted Answer

A)   biological determinism
B)   cultural determinism
C)   cultural relativity
D)   sociobiology

Question 6

The Fore attributed the kuru epidemic to:

Accepted Answer

A)   the coming of Europeans
B)   the work of sorcerers hired by the less well-off Fore
C)   the invasion of a new microorganism
D)   the reintroduction of cannibalism among the women

Question 7

Kuru among the Fore of Papua New Guinea is passed from person to person by:

Accepted Answer

A)   cannibalism
B)   sharing drinking vessels
C)   airborne microorganisms
D)   sexual contact

Question 8

Marvin Harris's approach to cultural analysis is called:

Accepted Answer

A)   cultural materialism
B)   symbolism
C)   cultural relativity
D)   sociobiology

Question 9

Anthropological analysis indicates that the function of Fore cannibalism among mainly the women was:

Accepted Answer

A)   to help cure kuru
B)   as a "fertilizer" to aid growth of crops
C)   to supplement their diet in an increasingly protein poor society
D)   to try to possess the power of the men whose bodies they ate

Question 10

Explain the relationship between kuru and cannibalism among the Fore.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain the relationship between kuru and cannibalism...

Question 11

According to a literal interpretation of the Bible, which of these dishes would be acceptable to eat?

Accepted Answer

A)   mice
B)   snails
C)   grasshoppers
D)   lizards

Question 12

According to the text, cultural behaviors have:

Accepted Answer

A)   only practical value
B)   only symbolic meaning
C)   both practical value and symbolic meaning
D)   value only as a means of adapting to the natural environment

Question 13

Describe the debate involved in "nature vs. nurture"
or biological vs. cultural determinism.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe the debate involved in "nature vs....

Question 14

In her analysis of the dietary laws, Mary Douglas seems to stress categories based on:

Accepted Answer

A)   cleanliness
B)   form of locomotion
C)   ease of hunting or herding
D)   health considerations

Question 15

Altruism is:

Accepted Answer

A)   a statement that is, by definition, true
B)   an act performed mainly to benefit the performer
C)   an act that leads to one's death
D)   an act performed for the benefit of another

Question 16

How, in general, does Marvin Harris explain the biblical dietary laws?

Accepted Answer

A)   they were means of establishing the identity of the ancient Hebrews
B)   they were all health or hygiene related
C)   they resulted from some practical, usually economic considerations
D)   they functioned to impose order on one part of the ancient Hebrews' world

Question 17

The author of the text feels that the biblical dietary laws are a result of:

Accepted Answer

A)   symbolic considerations
B)   practical considerations
C)   an inherent need for people to order important aspects of their world
D)   a combination and interaction of all of these

Question 18

In the "nature vs. nurture" debate, the position that emphasizes the "nature"
Part is formally called:

Accepted Answer

A)   biological determinism
B)   cultural determinism
C)   cultural relativity
D)   sociobiology

Question 19

Which of the following is NOT a synonym for a fairly new area of evolutionary biology?

Accepted Answer

A)   sociobiology
B)   evolutionary psychology
C)   behavior ecology
D)   ethnographic analogy

Question 20

The Dani's stated reason for their ritual warfare is to:

Accepted Answer

A)   placate the ghosts of the slain
B)   avenge the theft of property
C)   symbolize and channel existing tensions
D)   acquire additional pigs, wives, and land

Exam 14: The Evolution of Our Behavior: Putting It All Together