Final answer:
The Baka society is associated with egalitarian roles and gender-neutral responsibilities rather than patriarchal dominance or strictly matrilineal structures. They have elements of shared labor, but senior men usually hold leadership roles. A characteristic feature of their traditional religious beliefs is animism.
Step-by-step explanation:
The traditional gender roles followed by Baka society fit most closely with communal and egalitarian roles, where the sphere of work and responsibilities is somewhat divided by gender but not strictly enforced. The Baka people do not strictly adhere to patriarchal dominance or matrilineal family structures. Instead, they practice a lifestyle that includes elements of gender-neutral responsibilities, especially in their roles within their hunter-gatherer society. In many such indigenous societies, while tribes might be matrilineal with men integrating into their bride’s extended family, leadership roles, particularly in the religious or political arena, tend to be held by men. That said, matrilineal kinship systems should not be confused with matriarchal governance, as even when the lineage is through the mother, senior men usually hold decision-making power within the family.
The characteristic that best describes the traditional religious beliefs of the Baka people is animistic. This reflects their perceived spiritual connection with the world around them, rather than adherence to a single deity (monotheistic), an emphasis on rituals without deeper spiritual connotation (ritualistic), or having religious practices developed before the rise of Islam (pre-Islamic).