article

The invention of convention

Mankind13 (4)Published In 1982 • Pages: 330-337

By: Larcom, Joan Clayton.

AbstractBrief abstract written by HRAF anthropologists who have done the subject indexing for the document
In this article Larcom …'explores the deployment of an apparently simple art object, the wooden slit-gong…as part of a complex cluster of symbols known as KASTOM (Bislama: custom, tradition). These symbols act as political icons of invention and convention, available for reinterpretation of historical contexts in this new nation, both at the national and local level. Through the illustration of the slit-gong, recent changes in indigenous uses of ethnography and authenticity become visible' (p. 330).
SubjectsDocument-level OCM identifiers given by the anthropology subject indexers at HRAF
Reviews and critiques
Sociocultural trends
Cultural identity and pride
Music
Musical instruments
Ethnosociology
cultureCulture name from the Outline of World Cultures (OWC)
Malekula
HRAF PubDateThe date HRAF published the document
2002
RegionThe area the document pertains to
Oceania
Sub RegionThe more specific area the document pertains to, which is located within the Region
Melanesia
Document TypeMay include journal articles, essays, collections of essays, monographs, or chapters/parts of monographs
article
Evaluation
Creator TypeThe type of person writing the document, e.g. Ethnographer, Missionary, Archaeologist, Folklorist, Linguist, Indigenous Person, and so on.
Ethnologist
Document Rating A ranking done by HRAF anthropologists based on the strength of the source material on a scale of 1 to 5, as follows: 1 - poor; 2 - fair; 3 - good, useful data, but not uniformly excellent; 4 - excellent secondary data; 5 - excellent primary data.
5: Excellent Primary Data
AnalystThe HRAF anthropologist who subject indexed the document and prepared other materials for the eHRAF culture/tradition collection
John Beierle ; 2000
Field DateThe date the researcher conducted the fieldwork or archival research that produced the document
1973-1974, 1981
Coverage DateThe date or dates that the information in the document pertains to
1973-1974, 1981
Coverage PlaceLocation of the research culture or tradition (often a smaller unit such as a band, community, or archaeological site)
Mewun, southwest Malekula, Vanuatu
NotesAdditional notes
Joan Larcom
Includes bibliographical references (p. 337)
LCSHLibrary of Congress Subject Headings
Malekula (Vanuatu)