Kung, Hmong, And Aztec Societies: Traditions Versus Change And Time Research Paper

How does a society survive with the continuing changes brought by time? Do they try to resist change or embrace external influences entirely? This paper takes a peek into the Kung, Hmong, and Aztec societies and sees how each group has fared throughout history. It will also look into how each group managed to maintain their traditions with the presence of external influence—from conquerors, to modern national and local government institutions, and economic activities.
Aztec Civilization. The Aztec civilization was one of the most advanced civilizations during its time. It thrived in the highlands of Central Mexico between the twelfth and sixteenth centuries, AD . In its time, the Aztec society was divided into two major social classes—the nobles and the commoners.
Agriculture was the main economic activity in the Aztec society. But, there were artisans and merchants who created and sold various products in market places. Cotton textiles were one of the most priced tribute payment at that time. Aztec society is mainly polytheistic, believing in and worshiping deities that may influence the fates of its peoples. Despite its strong civilization, the Aztec society was wiped out when the Spanish conqueror, Hernando Cortés, invaded them in 1519.
Hmong Society. The Hmong’s ethnicity was only recognized recently—in the 70s in Laos, in 1975 in Vietnam, and in the late 70s Thailand . The original home of the Hmong is thought to have been in the Huang He (Yellow River) basin of Central China. However, over the years, they were slowly driven southward and marginalized by the expanding population of the Han Chinese . At first, the Hmong engaged their conquerors in war; however, their military forces were not enough to keep enemies at bay. They were forced to flee and seek more peaceful settlements.
In these settlements, the Hmong traditionally observed shifting cultivation in agriculture. However, Hmong living in Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, in response to government programs, shifted to permanent-field cultivation . They sell the fruits, vegetables, and flowers in markets in lowland areas. To the Hmong, kinship is given the utmost value in terms of social structure in society. It is patrilineal in nature and is said to be made of 18 major clans, where each clan, based on oral history, can trace their roots from a known male ancestor. To most Hmong living foreign countries, such as the U.S., they give their utmost effort to maintain their traditions as long as they can.
Kung Bushmen. The Kung Bushmen live in the semi-desert of Kalahari at the southern part of Africa. This area is considered as rich in food, shelter, and water for people who know where they are. This is what the Kung Bushmen do—they live off the land through hunting and gathering. The !Kung live in groups of ten to fifty people, with a mixture of workers and dependents, hunters and gatherers, men and women, old people, adults, and children, so that all their knowledge-based resources are likely to be present in every small group .
More or less, people in their society have the same level of access to resources. Their relationships are not based on property or money and mostly, people are free to choose who to marry, where to live, and make decisions for themselves. However, over the years, as anthropologists and other external influences visited their communities, the Kung began to feel that they are gradually losing their customs and traditions. Some members of their small communities have decided to domesticate animals and take on housing in Western design provided by their national and local government.
One can always conclude that change is the only constant thing in the world. There are a lot of factors to it, both internal and external. This is one major similarity that the three societies have—the Aztec experienced this a very long time ago when the Spaniards conquered their lands. The Hmong and Kung are currently threading this current, the height of modernization and advanced technological development.
Keeping one’s heritage, most especially, if one belongs to a cultural minority, is very important. It is part of who they are and who they will be. Their past makes up their present and their identity. However, development and how it creeps to each home’s doorstep is inevitable. It is important for a society such as the Hmong and Kung to keep their cultural legacy and values known to their children in order to preserve their traditions.

Works Cited

Howell, Nancy. "Another Look at the !Kung: A Life History Approach." Howell, Nancy. Life Histories of the Dobe !Kung (Food, Fatness, and Well-being over the Life-span). University of California, 2010. 248.
Lemione, Jacques, PhD. "What is the actual number of the Hmong in the world?" Hmong Studies Journal 6 (2005): 1-8.
Smith, Michael E. "Aztec Culture: An Overview." Arizona State University, 2006.
Tapp, Nicholas. Hmong. 2015. January 2015. <<http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/1364757/Hmong>>.