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Questionnaire
For several years, the standard questionnaire used by anthropologists studying various
cultures in the Eastlands has been that of Dr. Ellandwine Zaharam of the Univ. of
Auntimoany. While it has proven itself in the field, many philosophers have thought that it
could be satisfactorily amplified by creating several new categories not addressed in the
original and expanding some of the old categories with new questions. A committee of eight
faculty and students worked to add questions to the questionnaire, the result of which is the
following Zaharam-Chapelle-Parunas Ethnographical Questionnaire.
At nearly double the size of the original (and considerably larger than similar tools), concerns
have been raised about the possible unwieldiness of the tool. In order to maintain the general
utility of the questionnaire, several related main categories have been compressed, while new
ones that were not addressed in the older questionnaires have been created. Individual related
questions have often been compressed into a single multipart question; it is felt that this
practice in no way affects the practicability of the tool. Also, several very good but extremely
focussed or detail oriented questions have been left out. While it is keenly felt that persons
living in a community can offer great insights into the various topic explored in the
questionnaire, it is felt that questions along the line of "how do people feel about this" are
best left out, as any of the questions herein explored may be reasonably followed up by this
sort of perceptive interrogation.
The format of the new questionnaire is the same as the older verion, namely, a number of
broad categories in which several related questions about a country or region or tribal
structure may be explored. The main departure from the older format is in the elimination of
the question numbers. It is felt that poorly worded or redundant questions could be more
easily excised and new questions could be inserted if the numbers were eliminated. It has been
made abundantly clear that no such questionnaire could ever be seen as compleat, however,
the committee have striven to produce a workable and comprehensive tool rather than an
absolutely compleat one. It is hoped that, as the needs arise, new main or subordinated
categories can easily be inserted into the structure of the present questionnaire without
disrupting the flow of questions or the layout of the questionnaire. The order of main
categories is roughly from the broader concepts of Nature to the more specific aspects of the
culture under consideration. It was felt that the questions should be left somewhat broad
rather than focussed, as it is always possible to follow up an interview with questions seeking
further detail. If highly detailed questions are asked from the outset, the interview can easily
get bogged down in minutiae, for we would risk missing the forest for the trees. It is much to
be hoped that this Questionnaire will be found of great use to any philosopher or student
interested in gaining insight into the cultures and societies that peoples may divide themselves
into.
Faculty: Tom a Chapelle; Haristafaras Parunas; Taryusas
Students: Shafranas; Numitor; M. Wortwede; A. Wortlece; C. Lankyshanks
CONTENTS :
I. Questions of Place.
IJ. Questions of Time.
IIJ. Questions of Race and Ethnicity.
IIIJ. Questions of Family.
V. Questions of Customs and Social Life.
VI. Questions of Manners.
VIJ. Questions of Faith.
VIIJ. Questions of Labour.
VIIIJ. Questions of Art.
X. Questions of Marriage.
XI. Questions of Health.
XIJ. Questions of Sex.
XIIJ. Questions of Education.
XIIIJ. Questions of Technology.
XV. Questions of Transportation and Communications.
XVI. Questions of Economics.
XVIJ. Questions of Death and Burial.
XVIIJ. Questions of Government.
XIX. Questions of Warfare.
I. Questions of Place.
Describe the geography of where your society calls home.
Describe the climate your society deals with. How severe are their seasons?
What kinds of natural disasters has this society gotten used to?
What importance (spiritual or cultural) do people ascribe to the geography?
How do people feel about local landscapes being altered or used for a purpose other than what is
traditional?
What are the most commonly-grown foods?
What are the most commonly-eaten meats?
What foods are considered exotic or expensive?
What forms of alcohol are common? Rare?
Is there usually enough food and water for the population?
What is this place's most abundant resource?
What is its most valuable resource?
What resource is it most lacking?
How do people travel from one place to another?
Are the borders secure? In what way?
How many people live here?
Where in this place do they congregate?
What part of this place do they avoid? Why?
What are the most common domesticated animals here? And what are they domesticated for?
What are the most common wild animals? How are wild animals treated?
Top!
Magick
How is magic integrated into society?
Who can work magic? Is anyone disallowed from working magic?
How are works of magic accomplished?
What kind of preparation or study is required before undertaking a magical work?
Top!
Entertainment
Do people enjoy looking at art? Does this vary among communities?
Do people enjoy doing art? Does this vary?
Is there any calligraphy? Who does it?
Does your culture have a distinct (or not so) musical style? What is it like?
How do people listen to music (in a theater, at home, on the street, mechanical)?
Does music influence people's behaviour?
Does this culture have a typical dance form? What is it like?
Who goes to see such entertainments?
Top!
X. Questions of Marriage.
How is a marriage defined? How is a marriage contracted?
What is the term of a marriage contract?
What gifts are considered appropriate or inappropriate for a wedding?
How are marriages celebrated?
What is considered too great a difference in age for a couple?
Do relationships allow multiple partners?
In what ways is a marriage considered broken?
How can a marriage be terminated?
Top!
endeavour.
How often do people see their doctor, dentist or other healthcare provider?
Is a distinction made between physical and nonphysical ailments?
What happens to those suffering from extreme mental illness? Spiritual illness? Other?
How do people react to physical deformity (both congenital and acquired)?
Top!
Top!