Book

Kitawa: a linguistic and aesthetic analysis of visual art in Melanesia

Mouton de GruyterBerlin • Published In 1989 • Pages: viii, 457

By: Scoditti, Giancarlo M. G..

Abstract
Scoditti presents a formal analysis of the symbolism of the designs carved on the prowboards (LAGIMU and TABUYA) of Kula canoes on Kitava Island. Much of the data come from three primary informants who were skilled carvers -- Towitara Buyoyu, Siyakwakwa Teite, and Tonori Kiririyei. These data were gathered by the author through a series of lengthy interviews with the informants in what he terms 'aesthetic conversations.
Subjects
Interviewing in research
Vocabulary
Woodworking
Boats
Decorative art
Representative art
Literary texts
Status, role, and prestige
Magic
Transmission of skills
culture
Trobriands
HRAF PubDate
1995
Region
Oceania
Sub Region
Melanesia
Document Type
Book
Evaluation
Creator Type
Ethnologist
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
John Beierle
Field Date
June 1973-Aug. 1974; June 1976-Nov. 1976 [p.6]
Coverage Date
not specified
Coverage Place
Kitava Island, Papua New Guinea
Notes
by Giancarlo M. G. Scoditti
The text of 'aesthetic conversations,' followed by English translations, were indexed for TEXTS (539,) on pp. 211-369.
Figures containing diagrams and photographs were indexed for Woodworking (322), Representative Art (532), and Decorative Art (531), pp. 387-434
Includes index.|Bibliography: p. [439]-447
LCCN
89003216
LCSH
Trobriand Islanders