Tsembaga : Advanced Exercises

Five exercises are provided for the student with an advanced interest in anthropology. They challenge you to build, verify and improve upon the model developed by Shantzis and Behrens. Or, if your agree with Kampmann's criticisms, you may verify and improve the revised model.

1. Build and Verify the 1973 Model

Build the Stella model shown in Figure 8 and verify that it generates the same behavior as the Dynamo model published by Shantzis and Behrens (1973, 275).

2. Build and Verify the Revised Model

Build the Stella model shown in Figure 9 and verify that it generates the same behavior as the Dynamo model published by Kampmann (1991, 162).

3. Diagram Exercise: The Kaibab and The Tsemgaga

The Tsembaga system is similar to the Kaibab system described in chapters 16 and 18 Both systems show cycles in which the total populations are controled at a sustainable level. Both systems show unsustainable behavior if the controlling factors are eliminated. These similarities suggest that the two systems could have the same feedback loop structure. Draw causal loop diagrams to reveal the feedback loops that perform that serve similar functions in the two systems.

4. Model Expansion: Additional Sources of Food

Review Rappaport's (1968) study to learn if the Tsembaga rely on food supplies from the rain forest to supplement the cultivated crops. Add the supplemental food supply to improve the realism of one of the models from the previous exercises. Be sure to integrate the supplemental food along side of the regular food supply in an internally consistent manner. When you are satisfied that you have improved realism of the model, use it to study the impact of disallowing warfare. Does the new model lead you to the same conclusions drawn by Shantzis and Behrens?

5. Model Expansion: Distinguish Between Men and Women

Review Rappaport's study to learn the different roles of men and women in the Tsembagan system. Then expand the original model to assign separate stocks to the male and female populations. Use the expanded model to distinguish between the male role in warfare and the female role in tending for the pigs. Include any other distinctions you feel are necessary to realistically portray the mix of men and women. Does your model match the mix of men and women reported by Rappaport? When you are satisifed that you have improved the realism of the model, use it to study the impact of disallowing warfare. Does the new model lead you to the same conclusions drawn by Shantzis and Behrens?