The most important factor influencing the social organization of the Turkana is their environment. The rainy season is an important factor in the social organization of the Turkana. Because there are fewer worries about animals and water supplies, more time is spent on social interaction. This is a period when stock friends are formed, which are the most important types of relationships in Turkana life. The rainy season is the time when social life is at its peak. Air currents are another type of environmental factor that plays an important role in social interaction in Turkana life. Drafts divide social ties. Different types of animals need to be separated and taken to different locations suited to their environmental needs. For example, some animals require certain types of foliage and certain types of water. People must be divided to take care of these groups of animals. This requires extra manpower. To have enough labor for these types of occasions, families have as many children as possible. Other relatives staying with richer awis. They occasionally hire labor, although this is rare. Social gatherings rarely occur during a drought. There will definitely be no weddings. No ceremonies or circumstances will take place. Another social function closely linked to the Turkana environment is the digging of wells. When free water sources are not available, wells need to be dug. They can range from very shallow wells that everyone can use, to wells perhaps 5 people deep. Although digging these wells is very hard work, it gives people a chance to come together. They do not see it as very different from any other social function that does not include work because the Turkana do not separate work from leisure.
tags