This research project is an assault to the “crisis of child rearing” that has become a popular topic in recent years. Many of the crises of modern society were inherent in the modern era, and when faced with them we often look back to hunter-gatherers. In the late 18th century, J-J. Rousseau envisioned the “natural man,” or man in his natural state, living autonomously in small groups with little inequality. In the 20th century, early anthropologists began reporting on hunter-gatherers reminiscent of these naturalists. Such research has been reflected in the image of human beings that forms the basis of modern society. However, research has made significant progress since then, revealing a picture of hunter-gatherer societies that does not necessarily fit the early reports. Today, it is essential to get out of the palm of Rousseau’s hand and to elucidate the process of formation of cultural diversity in hunter-gatherer societies in relation to the ecological environment, the surrounding various ethnic groups, the state, and other social institutions.

From this perspective, this research project will develop action research in Botswana, Namibia, and Cameroon, where Japan has a world-class record of research on hunter-gatherer societies. Based on the analysis of video materials obtained in each location, we will clarify the process of mutual construction of habitus, or physical dispositions that produce cultural actions and thoughts, and microhabitats, or familiar behavioral, linguistic, and institutional environments in hunter-gatherer societies. In this way, we aim to understand the link between social transformation and socialization in theory, and in practice, to build a better future for children who are now being socialized. This will allow us to re-found the humanities and social sciences and to study with the societies and people of Africa, which has seen remarkable growth in recent years.

Principal Investigator: TAKADA Akira (Kyoto University, Graduate School of Asian and African Area Studies, Professor)