As a member of a society grows older, he or she usually changes roles or occupations. The acceptable roles for elders differ in each society. Some cultures utilize their elderly in many ways, while others just a few. According to a 1974 study by Benet of the Abkhasians of former Soviet Georgia, elders are valued because they maintain the old traditions, customs, and kinship systems that are imperative to the group’s survival in a difficult region. They are also honored for their extensive knowledge of the land and the usefulness of the local plant life. Additionally, Abkhasian elders continue to work through advanced age, until they are no longer capable of working.
In some cultures, elders take an administrative and political role. For the Igbo of Nigeria, the eldest male is the group’s leader and accorded the responsibility to control the group politically, legally, and morally. Similar political systems exist in other groups of people. When a group or council of elders governs a society, the society is referred to as a gerontocracy. In the United States, citizens will often run for political position during their retirement. However, the number of senior citizens in the Senate and House of Representatives is too low for the United States to be considered a gerontocracy.
Tthe Lozi of South Central Africa also esteem their elderly for upholding values, norms, and taboos, especially involving kinship and marriageability. Elders will protest when a man wishes to marry a woman who is considered related to his family. If the man persists in marrying the woman, the elders will not dismiss it, but instead, curse the marriage. Elders sometimes play the role of spiritual advisor. Often elders are spiritual leaders, or at least, teach the details of rituals and ceremonies.
Many societies regard their elders as counselors and advisory members. In traditional Russia, the younger members of the society took special care to seek the advice of an elder. Indeed, a council of elders was often required to review the major decisions of a family. At this time, the grandparents were also requested to give their input. !Kung elders sometimes act as mediators. They arbitrate conflicts over resources. Also, in the United States, the Supreme Court justices are all senior citizens.
In most cultures, the elderly are responsible for passing down oral traditions and teaching and instructing younger members. By telling stories, myths, legends, and singing songs, the elderly keep their heritage and history alive. Teaching younger members skills and subsistence knowledge is also very important for the existence of a culture. In 1886, Elliot observed the Aleuts and wrote, “…every village had one or two old men at least, who considered it their especial business to educate the children; there upon, in the morning or the evening, when all were at home these aged teachers would seat themselves in the center of one of the largest village yourts or ‘oolagmuh’: the young folks surrounded them and listened attentively to what they said.” Frequently, groups will depend on their elders to give them traditional answers to survival challenges and teach them local ecology.
Written by Rachel Frisk, 2000