article
Mythology and Folk Belief in the Maintenance of Jicarilla Apache Tribal Endogamy
Journal of American folklore • 60 • Published In 1947 • Pages: 126-129
By: Opler, Morris Edward.
Abstract
This source shows how various forms of social pressure are applied in an attempt to enforce tribal endogamy. Within the Jicarilla Apache system, alien peoples are classified by mythological origin and are associated with particular animals and birds. Marriage or sexual relations between the Jicarilla and a member of the alien group dooms the Jicarilla to become the animal or bird associated with their partner’s group. This may occur at or before death and may affect the nature of the Jicarilla’s ghost. Another reason to avoid marital or sexual relations with ‘outsiders’ is the belief that diseases develop as the result of contracting worms at contact.
- Subjects
- Morbidity
- Regulation of marriage
- Social control
- Theory of disease
- Ethnozoology
- Sexual intercourse
- culture
- Jicarilla Apache
- Region
- North America
- Sub Region
- Southwest and Basin
- Document Type
- article
- Evaluation
- Creator Type
- Ethnologist
- Document Rating
- 5: Excellent Primary Data
- Analyst
- John Beierle ; M. A. Marcus ; 1985
- Field Date
- 1934-1935
- Coverage Date
- 1934-1935
- Coverage Place
- Jicarilla Apache Reservation; New Mexico, United States
- Notes
- Morris Edward Opler
- LCCN
- 17028737
- LCSH
- Jicarilla Indians