Highland Peoples of New GuineaFifty years ago the New Guinea highlands were isolated and unknown to outsiders. As the highland peoples of New Guinea are among the last large groups to be brought into the world community, they are of major interest to ecologists, social anthropologists and cultural historians. This study synthesises previous anthropological research on the New Guinea highland peoples and cultures and demonstrates the interrelations of ecological adaptation, population and society. In describing, analysing and comparing the technology, culture and community life of peoples of the highland and the highland fringe, Professor Brown shows the special character of these societies, which have developed in isolation. In addition to examining the unique regional development of the New Guinea highland peoples, this book, a study in ecological and social anthropology, brings together theses two analytical fields and demonstrates their interrelationships. |
Contents
Introduction | 1 |
COHESION AND COMPETITION 182 | 15 |
LIFE IN THE HIGHLAND HABITAT | 16 |
The East New Guinea Highlands Language Phylum | 27 |
Percentage weight in diet of various foods | 53 |
AGRICULTURE AND POPULATION | 66 |
Intensifying agricultural practices | 77 |
Population and agricultural measures for highland | 106 |
LAND AND LOCALITY | 113 |
FAMILY AND KINSHIP | 144 |
Areas of clans and political units | 191 |
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Common terms and phrases
activities affected agricultural altitudes animals associated axes become boys carried central ceremonial Chimbu clan clearing close considered continuous crops cultivation cultural Dani density developed distribution domestic eastern highlands Enga especially exchange fallow feast fence festivals fighting forest fringe garden gathering gifts ground grow growth Guinea hamlets important increased individual initiation intensity killed kinsmen land language larger less live locality male marriage materials measure men's house mountain needs period permanent person pigs planning plants political population practices preparation present production rarely region relations relatives require result ritual separate settled settlement sharing slopes social societies soil sometimes stone studies subclan sweet potatoes techniques territory tion trade trees tribe unit usually Valley valued varies variety vegetables village western wild women young