Mortuary Feasting on New Ireland

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Mortuary Feasting on New Ireland The Activation of Matriliny Among the Sursurunga

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Alexander H. Bolyanatz

ISBN: 0-89789-721-8

ISBN-13: 978-0-89789-721-1

DOI:

208 pages

Praeger Publishers

Publication: 7/30/2000

List Price: $115.00 (UK Sterling Price: £79.95)

Availability: In Stock

Media Type: Hardcover

Also Available: Ebook

Trim Size: 6 1/8 x 9 1/4

Subjects:

Description: Contrary to conventional anthropological understanding, descent groups need not always be wealth- or office-transmitting groups, but can be principally feast-sponsoring groups. Sursurunga matrilineages are activated by individual's combined participation in feasting events, but individual's reasons for participating in feasts vary and often have little to do with matrilineal group membership.

This study of Sursurunga mortuary feasting shows that the analysis of groups-in this case, matrilineal descent groups-is best conducted by attention to the reasons that the individuals who comprise those groups act as they do. The salience of group membership cannot be seen as simply the blueprint for social life, but also as the outcome of social life.

Table of Contents:

Preface
A Note About Language
Introduction
Sursurunga Historical and Ethnographic Milieux: Contact, Christianity, Cash and Context
Land and Matriliny
Rethinking the Logic of Matriliny
Sursurunga Mortuary Feasting
The Antecedents of Mortuary Feasting
Consequents of Mortuary Feasting: the Salience and Activation of Matriliny
Conclusion
Glossary
References
Index

About the Author: ALEXANDER H. BOLYANATZ is Assistant Professor of Anthropology, Benedictine University.

LCC Class: 393


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