Book

Kinship system and social structure of the Bororo of Pobojari

University MicrofilmsAnn Arbor, Michigan • Published In 1974 • Pages:

By: Levak, Zarko David.

Abstract
This dissertation is a semantic analysis of Bororo kinship and social structure. From a detailed analysis of the kinship terminology, eight usage rules are deduced. An appendix reduces each kin type to its class foci by application of these rules. Originally intending to do a study of Bororo mythology and religious ideas, Levak found that without an understanding of the kinship system, nothing else made sense. The relations between mother and child, older and younger brother, and father and son are seen as 'models for the three kinds of relationships which pervade Bororo culture.' The opposition of culture and nature is examined as basic to the Bororo conception of the universe. The final chapter discusses how Bororo beliefs have affected their basic adaptation to their rapidly changing environment.
Subjects
Culture summary
Social relationships and groups
Marriage
Kinship terminology
Kin relationships
Parents-in-law and children-in-law
Lineages
Clans
Moieties
Mythology
Ideas about nature and people
Puberty and initiation
culture
Bororo
HRAF PubDate
1996
Region
South America
Sub Region
Eastern South America
Document Type
Book
Evaluation
Creator Type
Ethnologist
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
Martin Malone ; 1975
Field Date
1965-1967
Coverage Date
not specified
Coverage Place
Pobojari village, western Mato Grosso Province, Brazil
Notes
by Zarko David Levak
UM 73-29,618
Includes bibliographical references (p. 222)
Thesis (Ph.D.) -- Yale University, 1971
LCSH
Bororo Indians