article

Marriage, language, and history among eastern Tukanoan speaking peoples of the northwest Amazon

Latin American anthropology review1 (2) • Published In 1989 • Pages: 36-41

By: Chernela, Janet Marion.

Abstract
This paper examines two societies -- the Arapaso of Brazil and the Makuna of Colombia -- as examples of exceptions to the prevalent practice of linguistic exogamy among eastern Tukanoan populations, and explains these apparent anomalies as a response to the nation-state in the northwest Amazon (p. 36). In reference to the Makuna, Arhem attributes the exceptions to the rules of linguistic exogamy as the result of structural transformation; Goldman, on the other hand, accounts for the same phenomena among other eastern Tukanoan groups as 'historic change'. As a critique of Arhem's hypothesis Chernela '…argues that while the structural fluctuations described by Arhem delineate parameters of possibility, the changes in correspondence between language, identity and marriage practice can best be attributed to historic factors related to geopolitical integration' (p. 36).
Subjects
History
Sociocultural trends
Linguistic identification
Regulation of marriage
Kin relationships
culture
Tukano
HRAF PubDate
1998
Region
South America
Sub Region
Amazon and Orinoco
Document Type
article
Evaluation
Creator Type
Ethnologist
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
John Beierle ; 1996
Field Date
no date
Coverage Date
not specified
Coverage Place
Eastern Tukanoan Indians; Vaupés River area, Colombian-Brazilian border region
Notes
Janet Chernela
Includes bibliographical references (p. 40-41)
LCCN
89644837
LCSH
Tukano Indians