article

Contribution to the ethnography and linguistics of the Uro Indians of Ancoaqui (Bolivia)

Journal de la Société des Americanistes de Paris, n.s.27 • Published In 1935 • Pages: HRAF ms: 1-25 [Original: 75-110 , 4 end plates]

By: Métraux, Alfred, Reynolds, Priscilla.

Abstract
This source presents a succinct account of the material culture, social organization and religion of an Uru community of Ancoaqui (Iru-Itu) on the banks of the Desaguadero River, some twenty-five kilometers south of the Bolivian port of Guaqui. The author, accompanied by Professor A. Posnánsky, visited the village for a period of one week in June, 1931, for the primary purpose of obtaining some cross-cultural linguistic data for his Chipaya dictionary. In the process of collecting this information, observations were made on other aspects of Uru culture, forming the content of this source. In his discussion of material culture the author describes dwellings and their furnishings, fishing and fishing equipment, fowling, agriculture (or lack thereof), construction of native boats (balsas), mat and rope making, and dress. The few aspects of social organization noted consist of a listing of clans and moieties, and a few brief notes on community leadership. Religion is approached in terms of customs related to the Pačamama or "earth mother." Additional brief paragraphs discuss native mythology, the general "character" of the Uru, and linguistics. The end plates have been renumbered for simplicity of reference.
Subjects
Cultural identity and pride
Community structure
Community heads
Tillage
Dwellings
General tools
Fishing
Fishing gear
Fowling
Shipbuilding
Normal garb
Utensils
culture
Uru-Chipaya
HRAF PubDate
2014
Region
South America
Sub Region
Central Andes
Document Type
article
Evaluation
Creator Type
Ethnologist
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
John Beierle ; 1966
Field Date
1931
Coverage Date
1931
Coverage Place
southern Lake Titicaca area, La Paz department, Bolivia
Notes
Alfred Métraux
Translation of: [Contribution à l'Ethnographie et à la Linguistique des Indiens Uro d'Ancoaqui (Bolivie)]
Includes bibliographical references
Translated for the HRAF files by Priscilla Reynolds in 1965
LCCN
09000875
LCSH
Uru Indians