Some problems of Yaruro ethnohistory

Leeds, Anthony

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.

Subjects

History and culture change

Food quest

Tillage

culture

Pumé