primitive peoples
[PRIM-uh-tiv PEE-pulz]
noun phrase
povos primitivos
1. Groups of people with less technologically advanced societies, often used in anthropological or historical contexts to describe cultures with simpler tools, social structures, or technology compared to industrialized societies
Early anthropologists studied primitive peoples to understand the origins of human civilization.
Os primeiros antropólogos estudaram os povos primitivos para compreender as origens da civilização humana.
2. Indigenous or aboriginal communities that maintain traditional ways of life with minimal industrialization
The documentary explored the customs of primitive peoples living in the Amazon rainforest.
O documentário explorou os costumes dos povos primitivos que vivem na floresta amazônica.
The term 'primitive peoples' is considered outdated and potentially offensive in modern anthropological and sociological discourse. Contemporary scholars and institutions prefer terms like 'indigenous peoples,' 'aboriginal communities,' or 'traditional societies' as they avoid the pejorative connotations of 'primitive.' In both English-speaking and Portuguese-speaking contexts, the shift reflects a more respectful understanding that technological advancement does not indicate cultural superiority.
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