Book

Umbundu kinship & character: being a description of social structure and individual development of the Ovimbundu of Angola, with observations concerning the bearing on the enterprise of Christian missions of certain phases of the life and culture described

Published for the International African Institute by the Oxford University PressLondon • Published In 1949 • Pages:

By: Childs, Gladwyn Murray.

Abstract
This volume, as stated in the subtitle, is a 'description of the social structure and individual development of the Ovimbundu of Angola, with observations concerning the bearing on the enterprise of Christian missions of certain phases of the life and culture described.' It contains ample sections on the identification of the Ovimbundu and their neighbors, their territorial hierarchy and spatial distribution. Particularly useful is the synchronous historical and traditional chart of the Ovimbundu from the time of earliest Portuguese contact until the present (pp. 224-231). The emphasis in the treatment of social structure is upon child training and education and kinship, especially insofar as they may be adapted to future missionary policy. Technology and economics are only briefly discussed. Detailed bibliographies are appended after each chapter. The measure of the author's objectivity may be tested by consulting McCulloch's critical summary (2: McCulloch).
Subjects
Settlement patterns
External trade
Household
Kinship terminology
Kin relationships
Lineages
Community structure
External relations
Infancy and childhood
Socialization
culture
Ovimbundu
HRAF PubDate
2002
Region
Africa
Sub Region
Southern Africa
Document Type
Book
Evaluation
Creator Type
Missionary
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
Richard Schaedel ; 1955
Field Date
1924-1940
Coverage Date
1920-1940
Coverage Place
Ngendo, Cuanza Sul, Angola
Notes
Gladwyn Murray Childs
Includes bibliographical references
LCCN
50002385
LCSH
Mbundu (African people)