essay

Language and social forms: a study of Toda kinship and dual descent

language, culture and personality: essays in memory of edward sapirMenasha • Published In 1941 • Pages: 158-179

By: Emeneau, M. B. (Murray Barnson).

Abstract
This document presents a detailed study of the kinship system of the Nilgiris Toda in South India, along with an analysis of the functioning of the two sib-systems (patrilineal and matrilineal) in relation to one another and to the society as a whole. In his description of the above aspects of Toda society the author attempts to use native songs which he considers as the Toda art form of highest prestige, to verify certain parts of his data (e.g., when two persons sing together, special care would be taken to use the correct kinship terms in the song relevant to the degree of relationship of the two participating singers). The document concludes with a critique of the theories of the "origin" of the Toda (especially Rivers theory of a Malabar origin).
Subjects
Kinship terminology
Kin relationships
Clans
Linguistic identification
Etiquette
Music
culture
Toda
HRAF PubDate
2010
Region
Asia
Sub Region
South Asia
Document Type
essay
Evaluation
Creator Type
Linguist
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
John Beierle; 1965
Field Date
1935-1938
Coverage Date
1935-1938
Coverage Place
Nilgiri Hills, southern India
Notes
Murray B. Emeneau
Includes bibliographical references
LCCN
42002294
LCSH
Toda (Indic people)