_HSY1512_01_MARK. 100% TRUSTED Answers, guidelines, workings and references. QUESTIONS FOR ASSIGNMENT 01
Answer FIVE of the following paragraph questions and ONE of the following essay questions.
SECTION A: PARAGRAPH QUESTIONS Each answer should be between 10 and 20 lines in length and
carries 1...
Answer FIVE of the following paragraph questions and ONE of the following essay questions.
SECTION A: PARAGRAPH QUESTIONS Each answer should be between 10 and 20 lines in length and
carries 10 marks.
3. Provide reasons why precolonial San communities in Southern Africa regularly fluctuated in
size.
It is arguable that the regularly fluctuating size of the precolonial San communities became a
necessity for their survival. 1 The San Bands often split up into smaller units during times of drought
when food supplies were scarce in order to cater for everyone. Once these harsh times eased, San
bands would grow in size. Therefore, it could be said that the San group numbers were in
accordance with the carrying capacity of the land. In keeping with the Sans vision of Egalitarianism,
the San communities tried to permit all individuals access to the scattered food resources as well the
flexibility to move out and find those resources. This movement contributed to the fluctuating group
sizes. The fluctuation ensured that the land replenished itself and that resources were adequate.
Since the smallest work group or unit was a single family, we find that the San community sizes
ranged from one family to a group of several families. The fluctuating size is also attributed to the
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ongoing forming and reforming as family members and friends of existing members came from, or
2 departed on, or visits to other clusters. I feel that since the San were simple people, they did not
place much value in growing their communities in size and the strength and wealth that a larger
group could offer. Instead, they focused on basic needs like food gathering to be met.
4. What were the main functions of shamans in the precolonial San communities of Southern
Africa? (10)
In today’s modern society, medical staff are seen as individuals with much intelligence and skill that
is required for the medical care of the human body, similarly, the medicine people or “Shamans” of
the ancient San society hailed from the very best of their hunters in order for them to be able to
conduct their tremendously vital functions. They believed they served the vital function of acting as
links between the physical and supernatural worlds. In like manner, shamans entered into a trance
during offered ritual services to the group. By the functions they served, shamans were divided into
four groups. Firstly, they were those who had power over animals and the hunting activity and
functioned as advisors to hunting techniques and times. Secondly, those who felt they commanded
the elements of the weather in favour of deciding when best to 3 farming or move the nomadic
community. Thirdly, those who dealt with illness and curers and functioned as healers. Fourthly,
Shamans were served the function of creating rock art to record and depict the encounters that they
experienced during the trance of the ritual ceremony.
6. Discuss the role and social status of women in precolonial Khoekhoe communities. (10)
In precolonial Khoekhoe communities, women did not have the same social status as men. They
were not permitted to do certain things such as the drinking of cow’s milk however they were
respected in their own right. This lower status however was displayed in the arrangement of the
community huts. Spinsters, widows had to build their huts in a section of the temporary village that
was meant for servants and clients. They did however have a right to the much-revered livestock.
Despite not having equal access as men. One advantage for widows is that they got to inherit their
husband’s livestock at death. Women generally had home responsibilities near the kraal as well as
gather edible vegetation in the immediate vicinity of the home. It was not their job to hunt however
they were involved in the decision-making processes that involved the family heard. This included
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Study Guide for HSY1512, p.23
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