Batek of Malaysia

Batek of Malaysia

ANT 101

February 26, 2011

The Batek of Malaysia

The Batek are an indigenous group of people that live in the rainforests of Malaysia dating back to the 1800’s. They have existed for many years by leading a nomadic lifestyle complete with being hunters and gatherers. The Batek rely on each other and the land around them in order to survive and flourish. Foraging “is the oldest form of human society, dating back to the Paleolithic period, at least a million years ago” (Nowak and Laird, 2010, ch. 3.1). They are a very peaceful society that work together to achieve a harmonious society in which everyone succeeds. After close examination, one can see how the various organizational structures within the Batek society afford them the ability to remain a fully functioning culture among itself.

The Batek are a society of people that live in the Malaysian rainforest and move every few weeks to find fresh food and hunting areas in order to sustain themselves. They are a classic example of nomadic hunters and gatherers called foragers. Fish, small game, tubers, and fruits and vegetables that they find are primarily what contributes to the Batek’s diet. They have very few wants and in return are very easily satisfied. Their main goals are to procure food and they do not accumulate many material goods since they are constantly on the move looking for the next prime location to gather food. “The Batek value the freedom afforded by the foraging way of life; they are able to move when and where they wish and engage in any number of economic activities” (Endicott & Lampell, 1984).

“The Batek have no rigid rules separating the activities of the sexes; thus women who want to hunt may do so (few do, however) and men gather tubers and other plant foods whenever they want” (Endicott & Lampell, 1984). Both men and women are treated as equals and treat each other with respect. Both sexes can build shelters, gather food and hunt. Not one task is deemed only for...