Zinzcantecos And Yanomamos

            The Zinacantecos food collecting and food producing system consists of cultivating corn, squash, beans and fruit trees. They also raise animals for food, do some foraging for wild foods, and rarely hunt for meat. They specialize mostly in corn production because it is used to feed the family and to trade for other goods in town. Plots of land are farmed by the men of individual families, family groups, or a large plot owned by a Latino is leased and farmed by a group of men. Beans and squash are planted between the rows of corn and after the harvest the corn stalks are burnt to return the nutrients to the ground.
             The Yanomamos bulk of food comes from the garden (manioc, maize, and bananas). As much time as is spent gardening is spent hunting and gathering wild foods to supplement their diet. Starting the gardens is the job of the husband. The slash-and-burn technique is also used. Gardens usually last about three years with additions made to them each year. They are planted, then they let them grow with little to no weeding or up-keep. The site of the garden is determined by the location of the village. When a tribe is on the move and without a garden they are able to sustain themselves on just what they can hunt and gather in the forest. Some trading is done with food products between villages, but not much.
             The Zinacantecos organization of production and exchange is based on a subsistence economy, which means they provide for their own needs. Some things they do trade or buy such as, rum, candles, salt and musical instruments. They sell flowers, surplus corn and beans. This interaction is done between Highland and Lowland villages, Indians and Latinos, or to the "public" in cities. The interaction takes place usually in markets or at "fiestas", whose main objective is for trade. Wage work is very uncommon but is increasing.
             The Yanomoamo have a completely self-sufficient culture.