Hunter-gatherer

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Hunter-gatherer is a term used to describe human societies whose mode of subsistence is based on hunting game, fishing, and gathering edible plants. Hunter-gatherer societies stand in contrast to agricultural societies, which rely mainly on domesticated species.

History[edit | edit source]

Hunter-gatherer societies have existed for thousands of years, with the majority of human history spent in this mode of subsistence. The advent of agriculture around 10,000 years ago marked a major shift in human history, but hunter-gatherer societies have persisted in certain environments that are not conducive to agriculture, such as deserts and dense forests.

Lifestyle[edit | edit source]

The lifestyle of hunter-gatherer societies is typically nomadic, as they move from place to place in search of food resources. They often have a deep knowledge of their environment and the behavior of the animals they hunt. Social structures in hunter-gatherer societies are often egalitarian, with all members sharing in the work of hunting and gathering.

Modern Hunter-Gatherers[edit | edit source]

While the majority of the world's population now lives in agricultural or industrial societies, there are still a number of hunter-gatherer societies in existence today. These include the San people of Southern Africa, the Inuit people of the Arctic, and the Aka people of Central Africa.

See Also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]


Hunter-gatherer Resources
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD