Book
The Kapauku Papuans of West New Guinea
Holt, Rinehart, and Winston • New York • Published In 1978 • Pages: x, 130
By: Pospisil, Leopold J..
Abstract
This is an introductory monograph for students on the Kapauku of western New Guinea, covering their economy, social and political organization, religious and ceremonial life, world view and acculturation. The author was one of the first white men to contact the Kapauku and his initial field work occured prior to Dutch colonization in 1956. The author depicts Kapauku society as extremely individualistic, commoditized, and secular. Most property is owned on an individual basis and all social transactions have a price. Furthermore, the Kapauku men are wealth-oriented; their prestige and status is based primarily on the accumulation of wealth from the cultivation of sweet potatoes and raising of pigs. Through their generosity wealthy men form social groups of dependents who act in their interests.
- HRAF PubDate
- 1998
- Region
- Oceania
- Sub Region
- Melanesia
- Document Type
- Book
- Evaluation
- Creator Type
- Ethnologist
- Document Rating
- 5: Excellent Primary Data
- Analyst
- Ian Skoggard ; 1996
- Field Date
- 954-1955, summer 1959, summer 1962, 1975
- Coverage Date
- 1954-1975
- Coverage Place
- Kamu Valley, central Highlands, Irian Jaya, Indonesia
- Notes
- by Leopold J. Pospisil
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 125-126)
- LCCN
- 77025981
- LCSH
- Kapauku (New Guinea people)