Book

Sala'ilua, a Samoan mystery

Columbia University Press • New York • Published In 1982 • Pages:

By: Shore, Bradd.

Abstract
This book explores salient features of Samoan culture as reflected in the daily life and interaction of villagers in a locality called Sala'ilua. Beginning with a brief account of events surrounding the murder of a titled village 'Orator' by the son of a senior village 'Chief,' the author explores several ambiguities in the internal logic and organization of Samoan culture and society. These ambiguities are exemplified in the pervasiveness of symmetry and complementarity in social relationships which, according to the author, reproduced deep-seated structural tensions in the status and roles of individuals within families, kinship groups and neighborhoods.
Subjects
Community structure
Community heads
Community councils
Status, role, and prestige
Etiquette
Ingroup antagonisms
Inter-community relations
Lineages
Rule of descent
Kin relationships
Inheritance
Offenses against life
Initiation of judicial proceedings
Legal norms
Territorial hierarchy
Social personality
Ethos
Cultural identity and pride
Sociocultural trends
culture
Samoans
HRAF PubDate
2009
Region
Oceania
Sub Region
Polynesia
Document Type
Book
Evaluation
Creator Type
Anthropologist
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
Teferi Abate Adem; 2007
Field Date
1971-1973
Coverage Date
1971-1973
Coverage Place
Samoa
Notes
Bradd Shore
Includes bibliographical references (p. [321]-326) and index
LCCN
81024188
LCSH
Ethnology--Samoa--Sala'ilua/Sala'ilua (Samoa)--Social life and customs