Page 33 - THE SLOUGHI REVIEW - ISSUE 13

T H E S L O U G H I R E V I E W 3 3

CHAPTER 3 - DOMESTICATION: PETS OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT

In general, domestication (referring to the animal world or fauna) is described as one of
the three primary characteristics of a Neolithic culture that emerges around 5,000 BC at
different times in different regions. It is linked to a specific time in human history and has
certain characteristics, such as the beginning of sedentism. The transition from nomadic
to semi-sedentary or sedentary people is a slow and fluid process. This process is mainly
interpreted in such a way that sedentism is predominant today, but by no means
generally completed. This process only takes place in one direction, from nomadic life to

sedentism [19].
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Domestication means an animal genetically isolated from the wild form by man over
generations. So we have to ask whether the so-called “domestication” goes hand in hand
with the sedentism of a culture, or whether there was already domestication before
sedentism when it comes to the domestication of the dog. Is the term “domestication” in

connection with the nomadic way of life the correct description of this process?
In order to detach these terms “domestication” and “sedentariness” from their somewhat
nebulous and unclear uses, let us give a few examples from different parts of the world.

Sami with reindeer in the snowy landscape, public domain

-Domestication and reindeer

Right at the beginning of the review, we look at the reindeer [20]. The reindeer is
described as a domesticated species of deer. Reindeer have existed at least since the last
cold period, which began about 115 thousand years ago. But the restriction follows
immediately. In addition to the wild reindeer, the (slightly) domesticated, semi-wild
reindeer of, for example, the Sámi in Northern Europe are mentioned.