[SOC, SB, ECON] Describe nomadic society, political structure, and their economic structure.
Disha Chanana
Economy
- The nomadic societies of Central Asia had to adapt to the arid or dry lands
- Central Asia doesn't have enough rain to have an agricultural based society
- Other than oases, it is mostly grasses and shrubs with no large water sources to support any form of irrigation
- Although humans cannot survive on grasses and shrubs, animals can, so the nomads herded grazing animals, mainly horses and sheep but cattle goats and camels were common as well
- Instead of wandering through the steppes the nomads followed migratory cycles that were adapted to seasons and local climate of the area
- Every part of the animal was used as they lived off the milk and meat of the animals, made tools from bones, used dung for fire, made shoes and clothes out of wool or fur, and even had an alcoholic drink from fermenting milk called kumiss
- They took part in small scale trade to receive agricultural products, but also because they traveled a lot and knew the lands they were able to lead the caravans that crossed central asia
SOCIAL STRUCTURE
- They had two social classes, the nobles and the commoners
- Strong leaders became nobles and organized clans and tribes but did little governing because the clans and tribes took care of themselves, but during war they were needed as authority
- Noble status was passed through generations, but if they failed to meet the expectations they could loose this status and become a commoner
- Commoners tended herds and followed leaders
- Commoners had the opportunity to become nobles by showing outstanding behavior, like being brave during war
- Women were considered nearly equal to men and did most jobs, with the exception of hunting
Political structure
- Nomadic people had large military power and great calvary (horseback) forces
- They were taught to ride horses as children leading to great equestrian skills
- Not many armies were able to resist the power of the nomadic warriors
- Turkish groups arriving in Anatolia set up their own political structure in place of the Byzantine authorities
- The turkish people collected taxes from the byzantine church, restricted it's activities and even took parts of its land, but made political opportunities open for people converting to Islam
- Eventually in 1453 the ottoman turks had taken control of the Byzantine capital, Constantinople
This picture is of the Military forces of the nomads. They are riding horses, because it was one of their biggest forces of military and equestrian skills were taught to children at a very young age.
This is a map showing the areas in which the nomads of the asian steppes migrated through.
This is the tents the nomads would set up as they migrated called yurts. They made it from the wool of their sheep and fur from their animals.
Citations
"Steppe Nomads and Central Asia." - All Empires. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Oct. 2016.
"Wait For It...The Mongols!: Crash Course World History #17." YouTube. N.p., 17 May 2012. Web. 19 Oct. 2016.
Drive, By Dynamic. "Mongolian Nomadic Life." Mongolian Nomads, the Nomadic Life in Mongolia Presented by E-Mongol through Gers, Yurts, Horse Riding and Fishing. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Oct. 2016.
By Women Participating in Domestic Tasks, Men Were Able to Participate in Battle and Hunting for Food. The Division of Task Enabled More Efficient Completion of Tasks. Also, since Women Were Able to Take the Place of Men In the Homes of the Mongols,&. "Women in Nomadic Societies."Modern World History Wiki. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Oct. 2016.
"Wait For It...The Mongols!: Crash Course World History #17." YouTube. N.p., 17 May 2012. Web. 19 Oct. 2016.
Drive, By Dynamic. "Mongolian Nomadic Life." Mongolian Nomads, the Nomadic Life in Mongolia Presented by E-Mongol through Gers, Yurts, Horse Riding and Fishing. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Oct. 2016.
By Women Participating in Domestic Tasks, Men Were Able to Participate in Battle and Hunting for Food. The Division of Task Enabled More Efficient Completion of Tasks. Also, since Women Were Able to Take the Place of Men In the Homes of the Mongols,&. "Women in Nomadic Societies."Modern World History Wiki. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Oct. 2016.