article
Emic structure and decision-making in Yap
Ethnology • 16 (4) • Published In 1977 • Pages: 331-352
By: Lingenfelter, Sherwood G..
Abstract
In this paper, Lingenfelter constructs an emic model of decision-making for the Yap culture. He first examines Yapese cosmology and notions of purity and pollution. He notes the symbolic oppositions in Yap beliefs, such as those between spirits-humans, males-females, estates-subsibs, and elders-children, and identifies the reciprocal transactions that mediate between them. From these oppositions and transactions, he postulates formal transformational rules, which he argues form the basis of more specific emic rules regarding the structure of Yapese universe, estates, and households. He then examines the behavior in yam gardens to test his propositions. In his conclusion he argues that emic models help to explain situational behavior in terms of longstanding normative relationships.
- Subjects
- Theoretical orientation in research and its results
- Fishing
- Vegetable production
- Real property
- Labor and leisure
- Status, role, and prestige
- Social relationships and groups
- Cosmology
- Purification and atonement
- Status and treatment of the aged
- culture
- Yapese
- HRAF PubDate
- 2000
- Region
- Oceania
- Sub Region
- Micronesia
- Document Type
- article
- Evaluation
- Creator Type
- Ethnologist
- Document Rating
- 4: Excellent Secondary Data
- 5: Excellent Primary Data
- Analyst
- Ian Skoggard ; 2005
- Field Date
- 1970-1971
- Coverage Date
- 1970-1971
- Coverage Place
- Yap State, Federated States of Micronesia
- Notes
- Sherwood G. Lingenfelter
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 351-352)
- LCCN
- 64005713
- LCSH
- Yapese (Micronesian people)/Yap (Micronesia)