Sharing in the Kung Culture

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Sharing in the Kung Culture Sharing Plays a big role in the Kung culture, and is essential for their survival. If the hunter of the family gets sick or injured and can't hunt, other hunters will share their food with them and their families. Sharing has it's rewards and, also provides a sort of insurance policy for them and their families. The Kung have no refrigeration system in order to keep food fresh for any period of time. Thus they have no way of stock piling for those unfortunate times when the hunter of the family gets sick or injured. That is why it is important for them to depend on each other for help. In these times of need other hunters from the tribe will donate part of their kill to the helpless family. This sets a pattern of sharing for the whole tribe. A sort of "if you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours" type of mentality. As with any other group of people there're are individuals who chose not to scratch any backs. The hunters that don't share with the needy will never be considered to be a husband or a quality hunting partner. Also it won't be likely for the individual to receive help in his own time of need. You could see how this could hinder one's survival. However the charitable, get a sort of praise from the tribes people, and will be looked upon to be husbands and hunting partners. Because they helped when they could, they can expect to be helped should tragedy strike. Generosity is clearly the more attractive option as a way of continuing one's existence. I have explained sharing in the Kung society on a microscopic level. In order to understand how sharing is functional on a macroscopic level you have to understand the purpose of the Kung people. The kung don't strive for financial gain or leadership within the tribe, because such animal doesn't exist. They simply strive for survival and the most efficient method of such task is to implement a level of teamwork. Without teamwork and sharing, life in the desert would become almost impossible. The people who couldn't hunt for themselves would starve to death. It would only be a matter of time before the healthy get sick or injured and need some offerings.

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