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Book
Author Merlan, Francesca.

Title Ku Waru : language and segmentary politics in the western Nebilyer Valley, Papua New Guinea / Francesca Merlan and Alan Rumsey
Published Cambridge, England ; Melbourne : Cambridge University Press, 1991
Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 1991

Copies

Location Call no. Vol. Availability
 MELB SPC FLANNERY  306.4409956 Mer/Kwl  UNAVAILABLE
Description xvii, 387 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm
Series Studies in the social and cultural foundations of language ; no. 10
Studies in the social and cultural foundations of language ; no. 10
Contents Machine derived contents note: List of illustrations -- List of tables -- List of abbreviations -- Preface and acknowledgments -- 1. Introduction -- 2. The setting -- 3. Some aspects of Ku Waru segmentary sociality -- 4. Ceremonial exchange and marriage in the Western Nebilyer Valley -- 5. Some linguistic structures of segmentary politics -- 6. Warfare compensation payment of Laulku: an analysis -- 7. Compensation at Palimung and the Kulka women's club -- 8. The events in perspective -- 9. Perspectives on 'event' -- Appendices A. Transcript of proceedings at Kailge on July 24, 1983 -- B. Grammatical sketch of Bo Una, Ku Waru dialect -- C. The conduct of warfare -- D. Ku Waru metalinguistic expressions -- Chapter notes -- Glossary -- References -- Index
Summary The highlanders of New Guinea are renowned for their elaborate systems of ceremonial exchange. Although much has been written about them, previous accounts have concentrated far less on the conduct of exchange events than on the structure of exchange systems. This 1991 book deals centrally with the conduct of particular exchange events, and shows through examination of them how larger social structures are reproduced and transformed. As part of the emphasis on exchange as social action, the book closely examines the oratory that plays a crucial part in the events. Basing their study on original fieldwork carried out in the Nebilyer Valley, Francesca Merlan and Alan Rumsey focus on an inter related set of large-scale compensation payments which arose out of an episode of warfare. This book furthers our understanding of the interaction between social structures and historical events; and particularly of the crucial role of talk. It will be of special interest to anthropologists and linguists
Analysis Ethnic groups Social life
New Guinea
Notes English and Ku Waru
Bibliography Includes bibliographical references (pages 373-380) and index
Notes English
Subject Anthropological linguistics -- Papua New Guinea -- Nebilyer River Valley.
Anthropological linguistics -- Papua New Guinea -- Nebilyer Valley
Ceremonial exchange -- Papua New Guinea -- Nebilyer River Valley.
Economic anthropology -- Papua New Guinea -- Nebilyer River Valley.
Miyemu language -- Texts.
Tok Pisin language -- Texts.
SUBJECT Nebilyer River Valley (Papua New Guinea) http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh95010717 -- Politics and government. http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh2002011436
Nebilyer River Valley (Papua New Guinea) http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh95010717 -- Social conditions. http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh2001008850
Nebilyer River Valley (Papua New Guinea) http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh95010717 -- Social life and customs. http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh2001008851
Author Rumsey, Alan.
LC no. 91153827
ISBN 0521323398
ABBREV TI Ku Waru
Other Titles Studies in the Social and Cultural Foundations of Language no. 10