Sample Essay On Anthropology 327/CES 378 Mid-Term Exam Sp15

Question 1

According to the basic Native philosophy, human beings are ranked as being 3rd in the natural order of surrounding. This is because there exist other beings that are superior to human beings (Liebold 24). God is at the top of the ranking since he oversaw creation. It is also believed that God was inexistence before creation therefore giving Him a more superior rank in the natural order of classification. God in this essence is believed to possess attributes such as reason and love like other beings, but it is him alone who possesses divine characteristics such as being omnipresent. Angelic beings are the 2nd in the order of ranking. This is because they are below God and more superior to human beings. This is because; they are believed to have no physical body. Human beings are 3rd since they are thinkers and are unique, making them have a unique position. Animals are at the 4th rank since they are physically possible of doing a wide range of things.

Question 2

The jobs of pre-contact third genders in the society entailed helping out the wives with their duties. These duties varied from household chores to other duties such as the farming activities. It was their responsibility to ensure that all activities were well carried out. This is because their roles are similar to other wives from the dominant genders. Since the third gender wives had the characteristics of both males and females, they were also required to participate in duties meant for the males (Gilley 21). Their jobs were quite diverse since they could do a wide range of things and were not limited to a particular job.

Question 3

Despite the jobs that the 3rd genders were allocated with, there were other benefits of having a 3rd gender wife in the family. The benefits are quite diverse and vary depending on the various families available. The benefits varied depending on the various roles that the 3rd gender wives played in a family. This is because families that had chosen to have third gender wives must have evaluated the benefits that would be associated with the inclusion of a third gender wife in their family (Gilley 16). Among the major benefits of having a third gender wife in a family is the role that they can play. It is evident that 3rd gendered wives had both male and female genes, therefore, placing them on a neutral ground. Through this, families with 3rd gendered wives can share their responsibilities in a more appropriate manner compared to families that do not have 3rd gendered wives.

Question 4

Over the years leading to civilization, there has been a significant change in practices. This is because events such as colonization led to the introduction of new cultures that contributed to the elimination of certain aspects of the Native Americans culture and practices (Gruber 17). Practices such as hunting and gathering have come to be eliminated and is currently not being practiced. This has been due to the changes that have been brought about by modernization

Question 5

Fry-bread has come to be part of the Native American culture. This is because they have over the years taken over the culture of taking fry-bread (Gruber 32). The bread has been in origin for a long period where the Native Americans have adapted it to their culture. This is despite how other people view fry-bread as just being fried dough.

Work Cited

Gilley, J. Becoming Two Spirit. U of Nebraska P. 2006. Print.
Gruber, E. Humor in Contemporary Native North American Literature. Camden House, Rochester, NY: 2007. Print.
Liebold, J. Surviving In Two Worlds. U of Texas Press, Austin: 1997. Print.