68-75 Summary

Return to History 8 Human Origins Bone From a Dry Sea

Summary:

In this chapter, Greb and Presh are compared for their different ways of living: [1] Greb does not follow the rules, is very angry, and does not have many people that like him; [2] Presh on the other hand is well-liked, friendly, and easygoing. A usual challenge for leadership in this tribe would be led up to over a few days and also the challenge ritual would be a very tiring process carried out in a series of displays, so that when it came to a full-blooded fight the two combatants would be too tired to seriously injure each other. Greb does not like to follow the rules, so he challenges Presh out of nowhere, then he immediately goes into a fight, ignoring the challenge ritual, which leads to Presh's leg being broken. Greb took on his role as leader after this, but because he did not follow the rules the tribe attacked him in his triumph ritual and they exiled him into the sea.

Importance of Ritual Challenge:

The importance of Ritual Challenge in this chapter is that so when the males end up fighting they are too tired to seriously injure one another. "The challenge ritual was exhausting. (It was meant to be, so that if it came to a full-blooded fight, both combatants would already be very tired and the weaker would quickly give in. That way neither if them would get seriously hurt.) (71)

Consequences of not following ritual and customs:

In this case, the consequence to Greb not following the rules was that he was beaten and then exiled into the sea. "Li thought they must have killed him, till he moved... The tribe watched him limp down the shingle and wade into the healing sea. Followed by their hoots of Shame! He swam awkwardly away, using only his left arm, out along the cliffs of the farther headland, and disappeared." (75)

Sources: Quoted from A Bone From a Dry Sea

Dickinson, Peter. A Bone from a Dry Sea. New York: Bantman Doubleday Dell Books for Young Readers. 1992. Print.