This lesson introduces acephalous societies and explains how communities can make decisions without formal rulers, written laws, or centralized political offices. It then explores the egalitarian organization of band societies, using the Hadza as an example.
Acephalous means lacking an official or centralized leader. In an acephalous society, political power is not concentrated in a formal office. People may respect advice from experienced individuals or elders, but those advisers generally cannot force others to obey.
All flashcards
Acephalous society
A society without an official centralized leader; influence may exist without the power to compel obedience through formal office.
Band society
A small, generally egalitarian community, often of gatherer-hunters, that emphasizes cooperation and sharing.
Leopard-skin chief
A Nuer mediator from outside the disputing parties’ lineages who helps negotiate settlements without coercive authority.
Big man
An informal leader whose influence depends on generosity, service, persuasive ability, and followers’ support.
Age set and age grade
An age set is a group of similar-aged peers; an age grade is a level in an age-based hierarchy.
Quiz questions
How does a big man in some Melanesian and New Guinean societies gain influence?Answer: Through generosity, service, persuasive skill, and followers’ support.
What role did a Nuer leopard-skin chief play when someone killed a person from another family?Answer: Mediating between the families and negotiating compensation to reduce retaliation.
What distinguishes an age set from an age grade?Answer: An age set is a particular peer group; an age grade is a level in an age hierarchy.
How did public decision-making work in precolonial Igbo village democracy?Answer: Community members could speak in public meetings as leaders facilitated discussion and consensus.
Based on Introduction to Anthropology by Jennifer Hasty, David G. Lewis, Marjorie M. Snipes (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.