article

Notes on the Marshall Islands

Oceania13 • Published In 1943 • Pages: 1-23

By: Wedgwood, Camilla H. (Camilla Hildegarde).

Abstract
The data in this article were gathered from a native Marshallese woman while she was head teacher of Orro Girls' School on Nauru Island. The author presents a general picture of the social organization of the Marshall Islands. Kinship terminology and behavior is also covered along with unusually detailed information on the Djara bond of artificial kinship developed usually between close friends. Ritual life of Marshallese women includes puberty ceremonies of common and noble girls, betrothal and marriage, pregnancy and birth, and rites of early childhood. Although the information is secondary in the sense it was gathered from an informant who had been away from her native culture for some years, the presentation is noteworthy in its detailed account from the viewpoint of the Marshallese woman.
Subjects
Regulation of marriage
Kindreds and ramages
Kinship terminology
Siblings-in-law
Personal names
Homosexuality
Family relationships
Friendships
Artificial kin relationships
Sex and marital offenses
Age stratification
Puberty and initiation
Classes
Mythology
Polygamy
Gender status
culture
Marshallese
HRAF PubDate
2010
Region
Oceania
Sub Region
Micronesia
Document Type
article
Evaluation
Creator Type
Ethnologist
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
George R. Bedell ; 1961
Field Date
1935
Coverage Date
1935-1942
Coverage Place
Marshall Islands
Notes
Camilla H. Wedgwood
LCCN
38017490
LCSH
Marshallese