Nick Wilson Alota Culture & Society in Southeast Asia BSSW 2A

Waking up in a cave, or in a conical tent made from animal skins or maybe I'd wake up under a tree or
beyond the savanna. Anywhere would be suitable just as long there is enough food nearby that can
sustain our everyday living. That would possibly be the scenario early in the morning in a
hunter/gatherer type of society. Just as the sun gives enough light for everyone to see their sorrounding
it would also be the start to find food for every member of the family. My father would likely be hunting
for animals with his stone spear that is sharp enough to pierce the hide or skin of it's target. While my
mother would be picking up fruits, nuts, mushrooms or anything that would be edible to eat. If I had
siblings, then they would be helping my parents hunt or gather some food. The clothes that protect us
from this harsh environment is made up from animal skin. Well, definitely it is not to shabby and not to
good, just right to cover and protect our body from the heat of the sun and the cold weather.

We definitely move from one place to another and it became a constant thinking of ours that if the food
became a little bit insufficient for everyone then it's time to relocate into another place.As nomadic as
we are, it is our way of life in surviving and striving for a better future ahead of us. In terms of the
member in our family, I think we're only quite few, consisting of 5 individual having each roles to take
part in. Sometimes we see other families foraging for food and as a foragers we place a high cultural
value on generosity. Sharing of food and other resources is a social norm and a measure of a person’s
goodness. This practice is also an important survival strategy that helps groups get through times of food
scarcity that's why during those days helping others in need was the common norms of people unlike
today where it is quite different.

In terms of social status, everyone is socially equal or we live in an egalitarian society. Men and women
work collaborately to gather and hunt for food. There is division of labors among members and with
everyone helping each other's we get to accomplish task more easier and faster. Like for instance, my
mother would be responsible in setting the trap for wild animal while my father would be the one
preparing for weapons to take down the animal and I would be the one to help in carrying it to our
temporary location.

Later on, some may join our group and be with us for some time but as season change we part ways.
Truly, our societies were comprised of bands, social groups made up of close biological kin and friends.
The composition and sizes of bands changed seasonally, depending on the abundance and location of
food resources that's why it varies from season to season.