The present tense existence

On my way back to California after a work trip, I was reading an article in the National geographic magazine, Dec 09 edition, about a very unique tribal group in Tanzania called Hadza. According to the author, these tribes are hunter gatherers; they do not keep livestock, no agriculture, no possessions, no rituals, no ceremonies (weddings, birthdays, religious and funerals), no leader, no warfare, no emotions and no worry! They do not keep track of days and sometimes months.

I perceive them to be self satisfied with their lives. They do not know the outside world; they may have seen some other tribes and would exchange honey etc for some ornaments. Asked if they ever wanted to change their way of living, they know what’s out there, they may become maids or lead an under privileged life. They are happy here, in the forest, with all the freedom.

The best part was in spite of being hunters, they are not supposed to show off their kill, because everybody knows that it is a matter of luck sometimes, that you can hunt or not. I believe that culture does guide one’s behavior and attitude towards life. In Masai culture, even an infant is not supposed to cry. Nobody is allowed to cry.

All the while I was reading, I wonder how these people survive, what is their motivation? May be they are living primitive life and they do not know how could it be different. But we do! They live the present tense existence as the author called it. They live, they die and they move on.

It is sometimes hard and not practical to live at the present. There needs to be a plan to meet our needs in future. A rough plan not a detailed one I have to warn, if it is detailed, we will be caught in a vicious circle that will go on until our last breath. At the same time, we have to relax and get things done every day as steady as possible. No hurry, no panic! We may not have a lot of leisure time like the Hadza's, but we also do not have the risk of dying to gather everyday’s food.

Hadza's are not sentimental, they are neither happy when they make a good hunt nor sad when somebody close to them die. Ignorance is bliss! There is really no need for being emotional. We create a bond with the people we know, we know happiness and hence we know the sadness in departure!

All said above, Hadza's did teach me a lot today! Hopefully I will remember tomorrow!