Book

Myths and tales of the Matako Indians (the Gran Chaco, Argentina)

Walter Kaudern • 9 • Published In 1939 • Pages: 127

By: Métraux, Alfred.

Abstract

Métraux took down these tales and myths during an interval in his field trip to study the Toba and Pilaga. His interviews were short and casual, and mainly limited to two informants. He had frequent opportunities to ask questions about matters touched upon in the tales. The tales are divided into groups concerning: the universe, the destruction of the world, the trickster and his adventures, spirits, the origin of women, fire and mythical characters, animals, and tales of European origin, or with predominant European elements. There is a series of notes appended to the tales relating to various aspects of the ethnography of the Matco as suggested by the tales. At the time of his field work Métraux was an ethnologist on the staff of the Bernice P. Bishop Museum, Honolulu.

HRAF PubDate

1997

Region

South America

Sub Region

Southern South America

Document Type

Book

Evaluation

Creator Type

Ethnologist

Document Rating

5: Excellent Primary Data

Analyst

Timothy J. O'Leary ; 1958

Field Date

1933

Coverage Date

not specified

Coverage Place

Argentina

Notes

by Dr. Alfred Métraux

LCCN

s 38000001

LCSH

Mataco Indians