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Dr. Zahir's Ethnographical Questionnaire
Dr. Zahir's Ethnographical Questionnaire
Questions of Place
(a) How far back does this society's written history go?
(b) How far back do its people believe it goes?
(c) What is the worst disaster they believe they've faced?
(d) What was the best thing that every happened to them?
(e) What in their past makes them feel ashamed?
(f) What in their past makes them proud?
(g) What are they afraid of happening again?
(h) What are they hoping will happen? Do they think it likely?
(i) What do they assume the future will hold?
(j) How has this society changed? Do its current members realize this?
(k) What are the most popular stories about the past?
(l) Who in the past is the greatest hero? The worst villain?
(m) Do people think the present better or worse than the past?
(n) Do people believe the future will be better or worse than the present or past?
V. Questions of Faith
(a) Does this society have its own language? Its own writing?
(b) How common is literacy? How is literacy viewed?
(c) What form and value are books?
(d) Who teaches others? How do they teach?
(e) Who decides who learns to read or write?(f) Who teaches professions, like
carpenter or scribe?
(g) Are foreigners ever brought in to teach new skills? Who does that?
(h) How do this society's doctors try to treat wounds and sickness?
(i) Which medical assumtions of this society are wrong?
(a) Is there a civilian police force, or is law enforcement the province of the
military?
(b) Is the police force a nationalised one, or are there multiple regional forces?
(c) How "military" are they? Are they usually/ever armed?
(d) What is the extent of their authority? Can they shoot you? Can they use magic?
Can they torture or otherwise force a confession? Can they use telepathy?
(e) Are there individuals or groups who are above the law?
(f) Is there a secret police?
(g) What is the role of police informants, if any?