Book

Kinship in Bengali culture

University of Chicago Press • Chicago • Published In 1977 • Pages:

By: Inden, Ronald B., Nicholas, Ralph W..

Abstract

The approach to Bengali kinship as presented in this work is based primarily on David M. Schneider's analysis in 'American Kinship' (l968). The authors, as with Schneider, define the 'kinship system' as a cultural system. This they further define as a 'system of symbols', or more precisely, a system of 'meanings' of symbols (p. xii). Using these definitions as a basis of their work Inden and Nicholas examine the various symbols in Bengali culture '…that have meanings connected with social solidarity, whether in the form of 'duties' (KARTAVYA) or in one of the many differentiated forms of 'love' (PREMA)' (p. xiii). They attempt to understand these symbols and show how the Bengalis utilize them in defining relationships. Thus, in Chapter 1 of this source, the structure of Bengali kinship categories is examined and an explanation, from the Bengali standpoint, is presented as to why they are structured in this way. Chapter 2 of this work describes the 'life cycle rites' (SAMSKARAS), the symbolic acts by means of which kin relationships are created and transformed. The source concludes with chapter 3, an examination of the ways in which Bengali 'kinship terminology' is related to the structure and transformation of kin relationships (p. xvii).

HRAF PubDate

2002

Region

Asia

Sub Region

South Asia

Document Type

Book

Evaluation

Creator Types

Ethnologist

Historian

Document Rating

4: Excellent Secondary Data

5: Excellent Primary Data

Analyst

John Beierle ; 1992

Field Date

1960-61, 1968-69, 1970 [N]; 1963-64 [I] [p. x]

Coverage Date

not specified

Coverage Place

Hindu [p. xi]; primarily West Bengal [pp. xvi-xvii]

Notes

By Ronald B. Inden and Ralph W. Nicholas

Includes index. Bibliography: p. 127-134

LCCN

76025639

LCSH

Bengalis