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  3. Ku Waru
  • Cited by 96
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    • Publisher:
      Cambridge University Press
      Publication date:
      30 December 2009
      29 March 1991
      ISBN:
      9780511518218
      9780521323390
      9780521025249
      DOI:
      https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511518218
      Dimensions:
      (228 x 152 mm)
      Weight & Pages:
      0.744kg, 410 Pages
      Dimensions:
      (228 x 152 mm)
      Weight & Pages:
      0.589kg, 412 Pages
      • Subjects:
      Linguistic Anthropology, Sociolinguistics, Anthropology
      Series:
      Studies in the Social and Cultural Foundations of Language (10)
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    • Selected: Digital
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    Subjects:
    Linguistic Anthropology, Sociolinguistics, Anthropology
    Series:
    Studies in the Social and Cultural Foundations of Language (10)
    Information

    Book description

    The highlanders of New Guinea are renowned for their elaborate systems of ceremonial exchange. Although much has been written about them, previous accounts have concentrated far less on the conduct of exchange events than on the structure of exchange systems. This 1991 book deals centrally with the conduct of particular exchange events, and shows through examination of them how larger social structures are reproduced and transformed. As part of the emphasis on exchange as social action, the book closely examines the oratory that plays a crucial part in the events. Basing their study on original fieldwork carried out in the Nebilyer Valley, Francesca Merlan and Alan Rumsey focus on an inter related set of large-scale compensation payments which arose out of an episode of warfare. This book furthers our understanding of the interaction between social structures and historical events; and particularly of the crucial role of talk. It will be of special interest to anthropologists and linguists.

    Reviews

    ‘… searching and brilliant re-assessment of social definition in the highlands.’

    Roy Wagner Source: Oceania

    ‘… Merlan and Rumsey have accomplished nothing less than a revolution in the understanding of Central New Guinea Highland sociality’.

    James F. Weiner Source: Man

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