article

Houses in Lesu: the historical anthropology of a New Ireland society

Journal of anthropological research63 (1) • Published In 2007 • Pages: 51-72

By: Aijmer, Göran.

Abstract
This article examines features of habitation and domestic symbolism in Lesu houses as originally observed by Hortense Powdermaker in 1929-1930. It reconstructs important aspects of early social life in Lesu society with a focus on houses as mundane institutions and as expressive devices. The examination concerns the organization of shelter into continuous groups and social communities. Men's houses and women's houses stood out as symbolic topoi, each evoking a main cultural modality. The respective iconic narrations of these two possible worlds offered radically different solutions to the existential problem of continuity.
Subjects
Cultural identity and pride
Household
Family relationships
Topography and geology
Community structure
Dwellings
Architecture
Public structures
Building interiors and arrangement
Food preparation
Outbuildings
Burial practices and funerals
Cult of the dead
Religious and educational structures
Gender status
Mythology
Postnatal care
Cosmology
Sacred objects and places
Sexual intercourse
Eating
Life and death
Kin relationships
Localized kin groups
Regulation of marriage
culture
Lesu
HRAF PubDate
2012
Region
Oceania
Sub Region
Melanesia
Document Type
article
Evaluation
Creator Type
Anthropologist
Document Rating
4: Excellent Secondary Data
Analyst
Teferi Abate Adem; 2011
Field Date
not applicable
Coverage Date
1920-2007
Coverage Place
Lesu, New Ireland, Papua New Guinea
Notes
Göran Aijmer
Includes bibliographical references (p. 71-72)
LCCN
73645054
LCSH
New Ireland Province (Papua New Guinea)
Ethnology--Papua New Guinea--New Ireland
Lesu, New Ireland (Papua New Guinea)