Rossel Island: An Ethnological StudyFirst published in 1928, this volume provides a study of tribal culture on Rossel Island, otherwise known as Yela, the easternmost island in the Louisiade Archipelago, in what is now Papua New Guinea. The material used was collected by the author during a two-month stay on the island in 1921, whilst holding the position of Assistant Anthropologist to the Papuan Government. Although it was originally intended as a general survey, the text devotes special attention to aspects of life on the island that had been insufficiently analysed in past studies - a complicated network of social relationships and a monetary system. It is also notable for containing an introduction by the renowned anthropological pioneer Alfred Cort Haddon (1855-1940), along with numerous illustrative figures. This is a fascinating book that will be of value to anyone with an interest in the history of anthropology and Melanesian cultures. |
Contents
Material Culture ΙΟ | 1 |
Tribe Clan and Family | 31 |
The Relationship System | 43 |
The Monetary System | 59 |
Monetary Ceremonial | 76 |
Feasts | 85 |
Marriage | 93 |
Death and Cannibalism | 103 |
Sacred Places | 140 |
Sorcery | 169 |
Games and Songs | 177 |
Chiefs | 185 |
History and Bibliography | 189 |
Physical Measurements | 232 |
General Theory of the Classificatory System of Relationships | 238 |
263 | |
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Common terms and phrases
amongst the Massim appears bird brachycephalic British New Guinea brother cannibalism cephalic index ceremonial chamaerrhine Chap chief clan classificatory relationship classificatory system closed class system coconut coins connected dama district dogo döndap eaten exogamous groups father's sister's fish genealogical ghö ghost given gmomo group marriage husband important informant jina Kangö killed known leaf lia nö loan Louisiades Macgregor male maleficent marriage marry Massim matrilineal Mbasi Melanesia Milne Bay mother's brother's wife murder natives ndap and nkö ngwivi occurs organisation outrigger pandanus Papua payment Pchi persons priest probably ptyilibi ptyilöwe pygmy stature reef regarded relation relationship terms relatives Rivers Rossel Island sago Seligman shell similar snake sorcery spear stone Sudest supposed taboo taro Temewe told totems tree value ndap victim village W. H. R. Rivers woman women Wonajö yaba Yela Yongga yönö Yuma