Chapter 1 Reflection

In chapter one we explored primary sources concerning a paleolithic woman in the twentieth century. Due to all history not being able to be recorded before writing, some anthropologists have studied the culture and societies of the small number of hunter gathers left. Although this method of recalling the past is not adopted by everyone, there is some usefulness to this move towards understanding the past due to writing not being available at the time. 

Nissa’s account of her life was very informative in regards to comprehending the way of life of Paleolithic people. Her reference to “stingy people”demonstrated her contact with a wider world. Nissa’s attitude towards sex and marriage seems to indicate her acceptance of tradition, especially when referencing her community coming together in efforts to construct her wedding hut. Her attitude towards sex were quite surprising in comparison to contemporary attitudes towards sex and relationships. Nissa claims that as a woman, “you dont just sit still and do nothing-you have lovers” in reference to having several affairs because “when you have lovers, one brings you something and another brings you something else” (page 49) providing a perspective that illustrates the use of her sexuality to survive and have a good life. Contemporary attitudes are similar to those of the Paleolithic era because we are slowly progressing towards a more liberal attitude when it comes to female sexuality. The one thing I would have to disagree on is that women now can be the bread winers and can rely on just themselves to survive if need be. 

Nissa’s understanding of God is very much determined with negative events in her life. 

In Nissa’s point of view “this God…his ways are foul” (page 49)  referencing the divine in a negative light due to her encounters with loss. She understands the purpose of the curing rituals as necessary and relevant to her womanhood. Nisa’s judgement of San life is critical and realistic in understand the life of those living in the Paleolithic era. For example, when she describes the loss of family and how “they are equal in the amount of pain you feel when you lose them”(page 49), she is really relating to a basic human feeling of sadness and loss which makes what she has to say a lot more relatable, realistic and not romanticized.