Book

Zuni kin terms

Laboratory of Anthropology, University of Nebraska • (2) • Published In 1956 • Pages: i-viii, 1-23

By: Schneider, David Murray, Roberts, John M. (John Milton).

Abstract

In this excellent document the authors examine the kinship system of the Zuni in order to ascertain the basic principles and underlying the terminology and to test the interpretations of Zuni kinship offered in earlier works by Kroeber and Eggan. They discuss the large number of irregularities in kinship terminology and the presence of conflicting principles of generation and lineage in the cousin terminology, relating this to the relative weakness of Zuni lineages vis a vis other groups in the society and to the consequent importance of role designating as opposed to classifying functions of kin terms. Integration is viewed as essentially bilateral in character thus corroborating Kroeber's thesis. However, they agree with Eggan that descent is matrilineal, not bilateral, and that the lineage principle is reflected in the terminology, although in modified form. A number of charts are included in the document giving terms according to lineage membership, lists of terms, their application, and the irregularities and alternates are also given. The authors, ethnologists, did field work in the area.

HRAF PubDate

2009

Region

North America

Sub Region

Southwest and Basin

Document Type

Book

Evaluation

Creator Type

Ethnologist

Document Rating

5: Excellent Primary Data

Analyst

Betty Potash ; 1960; John Beierle; 2007

Field Date

1953

Coverage Date

1953

Coverage Place

southwestern United States

Notes

David M. Schneider and John M. Roberts

Includes bibliographical references (p. 23A)

LCSH

Zuni Indians