They are simplistic and practical in the sense that they do not make beautiful, but useful wares. They are not dangerous as long as you don't interfere with their affair. For this reason they have the fastest lumberjacks in the game.
The object of Widelands is to build the economic infrastructure, and manage the construction of roads in order to expand the settlement and go to war. The player is effectively a regent of a small clan of settlers, which start out only with a headquarters with resources.
Widelands was heavily inspired by Settlers II, but has surpassed it in terms of variety and complexity, whilst remaining rather intuitive.