essay

Objects of meditation: myth and praxis

unconscious in culture: the structuralism of claude ltvi straussNew York • Published In 1974 • Pages: 209-237

By: Schwimmer, Eric G..

Abstract
This is a short article in which the author discusses the role of coconut, areca, and taro in Orokaiva society. These 'objects,' according to Schwimmer, are 'total phenomena' in Orokaiva society, and the significance can only be understood by considering them in their full mythological, ritual, and social context. He illustrates this point by a brief and somewhat obscure analysis of these three crops as they are represented in Orokaiva mythology and exchange networks.
Subjects
Literary texts
Ethnobotany
Social relationships and groups
Diet
Gift giving
culture
Orokaiva
HRAF PubDate
2004
Region
Oceania
Sub Region
Melanesia
Document Type
essay
Evaluation
Creator Type
Ethnologist
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
David Sherwood ; 1984
Field Date
1966-1970
Coverage Date
1966-1967, 1970
Coverage Place
Popondetta Sub-District of the Northern District of Papua; Papua New Guinea
Notes
By Erik Schwimmer
Includes bibliographical references (p. 236-237)
LCCN
73014947
LCSH
Orokaiva (Papua New Guinea people)