article

Some problems of Yaruro ethnohistory

35th Congreso Internacional de Americanistes: Actas y Memorias, Mexico, 1962, Actas y Memorias • 2 • Published In 1964 • Pages: 157-175

By: Leeds, Anthony.

Abstract

This source presents a critical evaluation of the ethnographic data presented by Petrullo and others regarding Yaruro horticulture, the existence of matrilineal clans, clan exogamy, matrilateral cross-cousin marriage and totemism. This evaluation was undertaken by the author because much of the data that he gathered in the field contradicts the earlier reported evidence of such phenomena. In an attempt to resolve the apparent conflicting data, the author has resorted to a reinterpretation of the available historical sources, primarily archaeology, linguistics, and written history. The source ends with some very tentative conclusions regarding the 'ethnohistory' of the llanos, and particularly the Yaruro, based on the author's present knowledge of geography, archaeology, linguistics, and historical data. Some of these conclusions, Leeds admits, are presented as hypotheses requiring proof or disproof through further research.

HRAF PubDate

2014

Region

South America

Sub Region

Amazon and Orinoco

Document Type

article

Evaluation

Creator Type

Ethnologist

Document Rating

4: Excellent Secondary Data

5: Excellent Primary Data

Analyst

John Beierle ; 1966

Field Date

1958

Coverage Date

1934-1958

Coverage Place

Llanos region, Apure, Venezuela

Notes

Anthony Leeds

Includes bibliographical references (p. 169-175)

LCSH

Yaruro Indians