Expert: Ralph Salier - 6/27/2007

Question
QUESTION: Can you list for me the ethnic groups, past and present, that seem most divergent from modern western culture? I'm thinking of radical extremes like the Pirahã, the Ik, etc.

ANSWER: Hi Luke,

This is a tough one.  Any of the "modern" "Stone-Age" groups still extant like the Kung Bushmen, the Aboriginies of the Australian outback or the "wild Eskimo".  But all of these cultures have been impacted by modern societies in some way.  I"m not sure how you define "divergent" from modern western cultures.  The Maya? or the Inca? These were empires which were not unlike western "empires". Certianly no less bloody.  Or perhaps you mean like the Yanamami of the Amazon or the Pigmies of Congo? Both are rather peaceful peoples subsisting on the surounding forests. And in comparison we are warlike, dominant, wasteful, non-environmentally friendly.

So how do you define divergent?

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Yes, those are good. I'm thinking of cultures with radically different ethical systems (the Navajo, the Ik), language systems (the Pirahã), cultural and social systems (PNG groups), etc.

Thank you for your patience in tackling such a difficult question! Any books or URLs you can recommend would be great, too.

Answer
Hi Luke,  There are several Chinese ethnic groups where death has little meaning and ethics from a western perspective is non-existant. For them, "Face" is more important then honesty. Of course, Chinese and other Asian languages do not use the western alphabet.  The Amish of  the US, utilize archane farming methods and do not use electricity or motors unless required to by law. They also use a form of middle German as their normal daily communicative speach. You have the "whirling Dervish" of the middle east whose version of Islam is highly spiritual and is not recognized by other members of Islam as being Islam.  Their language is very unusual as is their written language - related to sanscrit vs arabic.

Ralph