essay

Mundurucú Indians: a dual system of ethics

encyclopedia of morals • New York • Published In 1956 • Pages: 369-374

By: Murphy, Robert Francis.

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to contrast the behavior of the Mundurucu toward one another with that of outsiders, and to show how the intensity of this contrast is closely related to other aspects of the social system. The author gives a brief summary of the history of Mundurucu warfare with and for the Brazilian government, and stresses the importance of warfare in strengthening internal harmony. The role of the individual warrior, the position of sorcerers as scapegoats, and a general theoretical discussion of dual ethical systems are included.

HRAF PubDate

2003

Region

South America

Sub Region

Amazon and Orinoco

Document Type

essay

Evaluation

Creator Type

Ethnologist

Document Rating

5: Excellent Primary Data

Analyst

George R. Bedell ; 1959

Field Date

1952-1953

Coverage Date

eighteenth century -1953

Coverage Place

central Brazil

Notes

by Robert F. Murphy

Includes bibliographical references

LCSH

Munduruku Indians