article

Vital statistics of New Ireland (Bismarck Archipelago) as revealed in genealogies

Human biology3 • Published In 1931 • Pages: 351-375

By: Powdermaker, Hortense.

Abstract
This article contains demographic information concerning birth, death, disease, and population trends derived from genealogical materials collected during the author's stay in the village of Lesu, although the data also concern a few other communities. Sufficient information on a number of related aspects of the culture, such as marriage and birth customs and acculturative factors, are introduced to provide a balanced presentation of the various forces affecting population growth or decline. The author also includes a theoretical discussion of the general problem of indigenous population trends, and relates her findings to the theories discussed.
Subjects
Household
Puberty and initiation
Regulation of marriage
Polygamy
Missions
Extramarital sex relations
Social placement
Secondary marriages
Pregnancy
Abortion and infanticide
Status of adolescents
Birth statistics
Composition of population
Morbidity
Mortality
Acculturation and culture contact
Functional and adaptational interpretations
Dwellings
culture
Lesu
HRAF PubDate
2012
Region
Oceania
Sub Region
Melanesia
Document Type
article
Evaluation
Creator Type
Ethnologist
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
George R. Bedell ; 1961
Field Date
1929-1930
Coverage Date
1920-1931
Coverage Place
Lesu, New Ireland, Papau New Guinea
Notes
Hortense Powdermaker
Includes bibliographical references
LCCN
31029123
LCSH
New Ireland Province (Papua New Guinea)
Ethnology--Papua New Guinea--New Ireland
Lesu, New Ireland (Papua New Guinea)