article

The mechanics of kinship

American anthropologist37 • Published In 1935 • Pages: 450-457

By: Aginsky, Bernard W. (Bernard Willard).

Abstract
This brief article, written by B. W. Aginsky, a professional anthropologist, is an attempt to show whether or not marriage is basically reflected in the kinship terminology of a given people. To illustrate the working out of this theory, the author constructs several theoretical kinship systems on the basis of types of marriage, and then proceeds to show how, in his estimation, this theory holds for each of these systems. The author shows how this theory actually resolves itself in a real (i.e., non-theoretical) society -- the Pomo (Hopland Valley, Ukiah Valley and Rincon Valley). Aginsky concludes that there was a definite selective tendency among the valley Pomo in the kinship identification passed on from generation to generation.
Subjects
Theoretical orientation in research and its results
Regulation of marriage
Secondary marriages
Kinship terminology
culture
Pomo
HRAF PubDate
2000
Region
North America
Sub Region
Northwest Coast and California
Document Type
article
Evaluation
Creator Type
Ethnologist
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
John Beierle ; 1960
Field Date
1934
Coverage Date
not specified
Coverage Place
California, United States
Notes
B. W. Aginsky
Includes bibliographical references (p. 456-457)
LCCN
17015424
LCSH
Pomo Indians