Kinship Economy and Coastal Migration Theory

The idea of colonists having a kinship economy with the Indians is very interesting to me because it is very similar to an aspect of Arab/Islamic culture. I have studied the Arabic language and Arab/Islamic culture while at KU. There is a social practice called “baqsheesh” that is very similar to a kinship economy. When meeting a Muslim Shiekh it is a necessity to exchange some type of gift. This is more than just an informal gesture it is a ritual practice that is necessary to start and maintain good relations. It is interesting that such similar practices could take place in two entirely different places in the world. I would speculate that the emergence of global trade made such practices routine and commonplace.

I think that it is interesting that the Land-Bridge theory is still published in textbooks when there is far more evidence to support the Coastal Migration Theory in recent times. Upon further research on the internet about Coastal Migration Theory I found a story about the 9,000 year-old remains of a maritime culture on Heceta Island off the coast of Oregon and the 9,800 year-old remains of a culture that used kelp in the Channel Islands off California. I feel that the greatest evidence to support Coastal Migration Theory is the remains of humans living in Australia. Walking to Australia would be difficult and it is a very long swim.