MADCHENLAND by Karolin Klüppel by Delhi Photo Festival 2015Delhi Photo Festival
1. Keeping the balance
The Khasi are a matrilineal indigenous society in northeast India, meaning children take the mother’s surname and couples are expected to live in the mother’s family home after marriage. Unlike other cultures, in Khasi society, it’s the youngest daughter who inherits everything.
Khasi Fishing (2016-11)Worldview Impact Foundation
Although Khasi society is matrilineal, men and women play largely equal roles in family life. Both are expected to work and share responsibilities evenly. This creates a sense of balance and is something that might well benefit societies in other parts of the world.
Osage Treaties (1938) by Olive RushSmithsonian's National Postal Museum
2. Keep it in the family
Cherokee people see woman as the heart of the family. They also inherit the property and children are born into the mother’s clan. In fact, the mother’s family is often more important in a child’s life than their own father, who generally will belong to a different clan.
Roman Nose Canyon (1941) by Edith MahierSmithsonian's National Postal Museum
This strong sense of family has helped the Cherokee to maintain their distinct identity, even in the face of huge oppression and suffering. Today, the Cherokee Nation is one of the most famous in North America and numbers over 300,000.
Maasai Warriors Arriving at Eunoto Ceremony (1995) by Carol Beckwith & Angela FisherAfrican Ceremonies
3. Money doesn’t buy happiness
Though many of us know money doesn’t buy happiness, it’s fair to say not all of us truly believe it. The Maasai people of East Africa prove that the old adage is true. Surveys have revealed that these semi-nomadic people are amongst the happiest in the world.
Young Maasai Morans (2020) by Stephanie FuchsProject FUEL
Their levels of contentment are the same as those of people on the Forbes 400 Richest Americans list. Considering they have relatively few creature comforts when compared to wealthy Westerners, this shows happiness really does come from the simpler things in life.
Terrace Rice Crops by Emil Marañon IIIArchivos Estatales
4. Work less, live more
These days, a lot of us work to live, often spending 30-40 hours working every week, just to buy food, pay for a roof over our heads, and have a little fun. However, if we went back to our hunter gatherer roots, we might actually have a lot more free time on our hands.
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The Agta people of the Philippines spend their days hunting, fishing, and gathering food. This takes them roughly around 20 hours per week, leaving a lot more time for socialising, relaxing, and enjoying life.
Identity, Wakatha u (1976) by Claudia AndujarFondation Cartier pour l'art contemporain
5. Share and share alike
The Yanomami people of the Amazon have developed a fantastic way of building strong community bonds and nurturing a selfless culture. They do this by giving the food they catch to others. In fact, Yanomami hunters give their catch away before they even get back home.
Inside the long house, Watoriki community (2013) by Marcos WesleyInstituto Socioambiental - ISA
In return, they’re given the meat, fish, fruit, and vegetables collected by others. Everyone in the tribe eats food provided by someone else, giving them a strong sense of community and ensuring no one goes hungry.
Timóteo Xirixana in the forest during the Õkãpomaɨ Expedition (2014) by Mídia NINJAInstituto Socioambiental - ISA
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