Book

We, the Tikopia: a sociological study of kinship in primitive Polynesia

George Allen and Unwin, Ltd.London, England • Published In 1936 • Pages:

By: Firth, Raymond.

Abstract
This is an analysis of the importance of kinship in the regulation of Tikopia life. The interpenetration of kinship with other aspects of culture is pointed out most clearly by the author in his evaluation of the Tikopia regulation of land ownership, sex, and marriage, in the economics of gift-giving, and in the rites associated with initiation and death. Personal relationships and patterns of behavior between members of families and kindred groups are given close attention. Co-operative activities following kinship lines are explained, and the whole economy of the island is shown to be tied up with kinship obligations in mutual aid and reciprocal gift exchange.| Firth, a student of Malinowski, was at the time of the publication of this book a Reader in Anthropology at the University of London. He spent twelve months on Tikopia, during the years 1928-29.
Subjects
Kinship
Kin groups
culture
Tikopia
HRAF PubDate
1995
Region
Oceania
Sub Region
Polynesia
Document Type
Book
Evaluation
Creator Type
Ethnologist
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
Alice McCloskey
Field Date
1928-29
Coverage Date
not specified
Coverage Place
Tikopia Island, Solomon Islands
Notes
[by] Raymond Firth ; with a preface by Bronislaw Malinowski
A glossary is in Glossary (104)
Bibliography: p. 282.|Includes index
Several non-text pages and pp. 601-605 are not included
LCSH
Tikopia (Solomon Islands peoples)