article
The political order and corporal coercion in Kanak societies of the past (New Caledonia)
Oceania • 68 (2) • Published In 1997 • Pages: 84-106
By: Bensa, Alban, Goromido, Antoine.
Abstract
This historical study discusses the precolonial relationship between chiefly authority, external warfare, and cannibalism. Cannibalism was a form of human sacrifice that validated chiefly authority and a hierarchical political system constituted by ranked "dignitaries" and "commoners." Detail is provided on the customary "making" of persons, ancestors, and chiefs, and on the role of kinship in this process.
- HRAF PubDate
- 2019
- Region
- Oceania
- Sub Region
- Melanesia
- Document Type
- article
- Evaluation
- Creator Type
- Ethnologist
- Document Rating
- 4: Excellent Secondary Data
- 5: Excellent Primary Data
- Analyst
- Ian Skoggard; 2018
- Field Date
- 1973-1991
- Coverage Date
- 1840-1871
- Coverage Place
- Hienghène, Koné, Ponérihouen, northern Poya, and Touho, North Province, New Caledonia
- Notes
- Alban Bensa and Antoine Goromido; translated from French by Noal Mellott (CNRS, Paris)
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 105-106)
- LCCN
- 38017490
- LCSH
- Kanaka (New Caledonian people)