Life in a Mexican village: Tepoztlán restudied

Lewis, Oscar

Book

Life in a Mexican village: Tepoztlán restudied

University of Illinois Press • Urbana • Published In 1951 • Pages:

By: Lewis, Oscar.

Abstract
As the subtitle indicates, this work reports the results of a restudy of the same community introduced by Redfield (see document No. 1, this collection). The author, as principal investigator, had the aid and cooperation of a team of graduate anthropology students, agronomists, doctors, psychological testers, and government officials. He and his associates spent a total of about one year in the community, at intervals between 1943 and 1948. This study consciously builds on and complements that of Redfield, emphasizing those aspects of the culture not thoroughly explored in the earlier study: land problems, agriculture, wealth, politics, life cycle and interpersonal relations. The 20-year period between studies brought changes in the community, field techniques, research interests, and the opportunities to build on a predecessor's work; the author recognizes these changes in analyzing Redfield's work and that of his own team. This is a very thorough presentation supported by much historical, statistical and psychological data.

Community structure

Tillage

Real property

Accumulation of wealth

Puberty and initiation

Political movements

Inter-community relations

Household

Family relationships

Status, role, and prestige

Production and supply

Local officials